TOWN OF WALPOLE
PUBLIC HEARING
2014 PROPOSED BUDGET HEARING
FEBRUARY 4, 2014

Selectboard Present: Whitney Aldrich , Chas Street (Jamie Teague absent)

Mr. Aldrich called this Public Hearing for the 2013 Proposed Warrant for Budget and Warrant Articles to order in the Walpole Town Hall at 6:10 PM.
Copies of the proposed 2013 Budget were available for the public.

PROPOSED BUDGET:
Mr. Aldrich advised the Town employees would be receiving an across the board raise of 2%. He also advised Healthcare increased an average of 9%. Mr. Aldrich then stated he would highlight on various sections of the 2014 proposed budget.

Town Clerk / Tax Collector:
The major increase in the budget of the Town Clerk/Tax Collector is due to a pay increase and increase in hours for the part time employee, Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector.

Financial Administration:
The proposed budget for Financial Administration is down 55.6% due to the change of position in the office. The office now employees two part time people which decreases the cost of Health Insurance and NH Retirement.

Zoning Board:
The Zoning Board of Adjustment proposed budget is up due to the need for an increase of the secretary’s hours.

Municipal Buildings & Maintenance:
There is a large increase in the Municipal Building & Maintenance budget this year as the Board has decided to allocate additional funds to the MUN Repairs/Maintenance/Improvement line. The plans are to have the outside of the building painted as well as upgrades to the interior of the building; kitchen, bathrooms, stairs and foyer.

Police Administration & Operation
The major increase of the proposed Police Department budget is due to adding a full time officer. Mr. Ray Boas asked about the decrease in the part time and over time wage lines. Mr. Aldrich explained that with the 4th full time officer there should not be as much need for part time personnel or overtime. Decreasing these lines will help offset the full time salary line. Adding a new officer also increases the insurance and NH Retirement. Mr. Steve Dalessio asked why Workman’s Compensation rates are down if salaries are up. Mrs. Clough explained that Workman’s Compensation rates are based on the 2012 salaries.

Welfare:
Mrs. Clough spoke as the Welfare Director. She advised that there will be an increase in heating expenses this year due to the decrease in state fuel assistance. More people are heating their homes with portable electric heaters as they cannot afford fuel. This is then driving up the electricity costs.

Parks & Recreation Administration:
Mr. Aldrich advised they will be hiring a part time “Recreation Coordinator”. The main responsibility of the coordinator will be to manage the pool and employees. He or she will also be the point person for sports programs in the off season.

Patriotic Purposes:
Mr. Ray Boas asked what the Patriotic Expenses were for. Mr. Aldrich explained that flags are purchased and placed on Veteran’s graves for Memorial Day. Wreaths are also purchased for the Memorial Day exercises.

Mr. Peter Graves asked to explain the Police Department phone bill expense. Chief Michael Paquette explained that the phone bill includes the two lines at the Police Station, the Police cruiser phones as well as cellphones for his officers.

Mr. Evans Juris questioned the Board about the expenses of the Fire Department. Mr. Aldrich explained that the Fire Department has its own warrant and budget. The Fire District meeting will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 7:00 PM at the Walpole Fire Station.

Ms. Cheryl Mayberry had a few questions for the Selectboard. She first asked about the line item “Transfer to Conservation Trust”. Mrs. Clough explained that any Land Use Change Tax money, (up to $25,000) that is received for removing land from current use is transferred to the Conservation Trust. Ms. Mayberry also asked about the overage in the 2013 Highway Tar Fund budget. Mr. Aldrich advised that the Town experienced heavy road damages with the rain storms that we had in 2013. Due to the increased maintenance of the roads the Tar Fund went over budget. Ms. Mayberry also requested information on the EME Emergency Management line. Mrs. Clough explained that the majority of the expense in that line is what Southwest NH Fire District charged the Town for assessment fees from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. That line also includes the Emergency Management phone line and the salary for the Emergency Management Director.

Adjournment: Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Street. With all in favor, the motion was approved. The time was 6:35 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Janet Clough, Administrative Assistant