Accepted as Corrected_________                                          

                                                                        Accepted as Printed_______                                              

 

 

VERNON SELECTBOARD

SPECIAL

 MEETING

 

 

 

 

NOVEMBER 29, 2010                                         6:30 PM

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:                                 OTHERS PRESENT:

Mike Courtemanche-Chair                              Tom Hendricks

Chris Howe                                                     David Andrews                                    

Mike Ball                                                       David Walker                                                 

Robert Miller                                                   Chris Garofolo

Len Howard

 

 

 

WELCOME AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

At 6:31 pm Chair Mike Courtemanche called the meeting to order, welcomed those present and led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Tom Hendricks asked the Board about what happened to the Police Department monthly meetings to convey their activities to the Board.  He also questioned why monthly activity reports had not been published in the town newspaper.  The Board stated that a report from the Police Chief has been in the Town Newspaper, but certainly the Board will address Chief Hebert about the monthly activity updates.

The Board thanked Mr. Hendricks.

 

BUDGETS

Mike Courtemanche stated that he wanted to thank Sally for getting all the budgets together for the Board. Mike Courtemanche also conveyed that he was hoping that the Department Heads could have made some changes to their budgets since the budgets mostly came in with an increase over last year. Mike Courtemanche stated that the telephone for example should all on the same plan to have a savings.  Mike also stated that the travel and conference could also be cut back. The Board asked for level funded budgets from all Department Heads and that has not happened. The Department Heads that could not level fund their budget should present their budget to the Board to justify the increases at the next meeting.

 

Mike Ball made the motion to go to the Highway Department and Fire Department budgets. Len Howard seconded the motion. The motion carried.

 

Fire Department Budget- David Andrews

 David Andrews presented The Fire Department Budget which is level funded. David explained that physicals were up due to the need to ensure safety with the firefighters. With noted decreases with fuel oil and electricity the Board discussed that telephone expenses should be broken down so that actual cost is conveyed. The Board thanked David on his budget.

 

Highway Department Budget-David Walker

David Walker presented The Highway Department Budget which starting with Maintenance came in at a decrease of -1.39% under by $1200.00 which the Board would include the Storm water run-off permits for $1,000.00. The Board will keep this budget level funded.

Town Garage Operation is also in with a decease of $2,555.00 at -1/25%.

Road Equipment Repair and Maintenance was also level funded. It was also noted that David has put in for some Articles. The Board will review all the Articles at a later date.

The Board thanked David.

 

The Board continued on with the remaining Budgets.

Rescue’s Operation Budget up from last year,

Town Clerks Budget needing to itemize Salaries expenses along with actual supplies expenses. The Board conveyed that in the future they would like to know actual expenses by departments rather than some items in general expenses. This would give the board a clear idea of what each department’s actual is.  The Department Heads were asked last year to start tracking these expenses.

The Selectboard Budget was reviewed by the Board with much discussion. The Board conveyed that supplies were to be broken out and added to each department for tracking purposes.  The Board agreed that the Legal Services needs to be more. The Board has many questions for the Treasurer.

The Board continued on with the remaining budgets:

Building & Grounds is over and needs the Department Head to come in.

Cemeteries are level funded.

The Seniors Budget was not complete and there were questions regarding non-residents using the bus. The liaison, Len, will ask a representative of the seniors to attend the next meeting.

The Vernon Newspaper is up from last year due to the fact that the monies came from an article. Chris talked about some of the expenses. Some ideas to keep the expenses down might be to hire out for the printing of the newspaper. There will be an Article for this. With much discussion the Board moved on.

Police Department Budget needs the Chief to come in.

Recreation Department Budget also needs The Recreation Director to come in.

Other Public Safety shall also come in to discuss their budget.

 

 David Andrews talked with the Board about the Fire Warden being associated with the Fire Department. The Department would like to keep the budget part separate for the actual Fire Department budget. The candidate would come from the Fire Department to fill this duty.  

 

Agenda Items-

December 6, 2010 –Department Heads, meeting to start at 5:30 PM

December 13, 2010 –Sansoucy-Listers

December 20, 2010- Regular Meeting

 

 

NEW/OLD UNFINISHED BUSINESS

            Bills and Warrants

Robert Miller made the motion to approve warrants:

11S/G Accounts Payable for $119,753.87

47S Payroll for $11,282.16 and

48S Payroll for $11,511.20. Len Howard seconded the motion. The motion carried.

 

Chris Howe made the motion sign the oath for Christopher Johnson the new Police officer. Mike Ball seconded the motion. The motion carried.

 

Budget Truck Agreement is still on hold.

 

WRC Contract-

Chris Howe made the motion to amend contract to extend the date for more time with the Windham Regional Commission. Robert Miller seconded the motion. The motion carried.

 

Computer Policy- This was approved at a past meeting and just needs the Boards signatures.

 

Len Howard made the motion to approve $2074.00 to Winridge Builders for installing the flooring at the Police Department. Robert Miller seconded the motion. The motion carried.

 

Robert Miller made the motion to approve the flooring from Leader Home Center for the flooring in the amount of $2828.90. Mike Ball seconded the motion. The motion carried.

 

MEDIA-

Chris Garofolo asked the Board about the Budgets FY 2011-2012 in general.  The Board conveyed that Department Heads with come in at the next meeting to explain their budgets. Chris asked about the Police Department increase in staff salaries which the Board explained that this is mainly  because the Department hired more full time staff compared to last year,

The Board thanked Chris.

 

Chris Howe made the motion to adjourn. Mike Ball seconded the motion. The motion carried.

 

 Adjourned @ 8:31 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted by Elaine Howard

 

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