A meeting convened at 7:30 pm in Seaside One.
Members in attendance: Bothwick, Carr, Croft, Herbster, Kenney, Martin, Putnam and Smith
Members absent: Swanson
Mr. Bothwick presided.
OPERATING BUDGETS
Fire - Chief Paskalis joined the meeting.
$10,000 is requested for a new part time position to be shared with Essex for help with fire inspections. This position was requested by the Essex Fire Chief. The position does not offer benefits. The Town in which the person is working is responsibility for liability. There is concern that Essex votes after Manchester’s Town Meeting.
Fire services can move toward regionalizing, since call firefighters are a rarity. Essex does not have ALS service.
The request for EMS services is reduced to $0, and Chief does not know where this will show up in the budget. He reports that it is separate from the Fire budget. The call volume is gradually climbing and Chief believes the amount will be close to $17,000. The ambulance revenue is credited to the General Fund.
Chief Paskalis supports the DPW Director’s plan for a fuel station. He expects that F’08 expense for gas, diesel, and oil will be close to $9,000.
Police – Chief McKiel joined the meeting.
The department will realize two retirements, however this budget reflects one. This budget requests two civilian dispatch positions, making it possible to return police officers to the road, and six additional hours for the secretary.
Chief McKiel indicated the F’08 expense for overtime will be more than budgeted.
Currently there is a loss of three full time officers, two for medical reasons, and one on military service. The officers will use the sick bank after their contractual sick pay has expired.
Harbor Master and Animal Control – Both budgets were reviewed without questions.
CAPITAL ITEMS
Fire Rescue Ambulance – If the Town purchases a new ambulance the current one will stay in use for a while as a back up. The cost includes equipment. A Ford engine may cost less but is not as reliable.
Fire Station Driveway and Ramp Repair - The ramp is not ADA compliant. The department and the DPW continue to make repairs as needed.
Fire Station Insulated Apparatus Doors – The doors are not energy efficient. Replacement motors and springs are no longer in stock and must be hand made.
Fire Auto Replacement - This item was reviewed with no questions.
Fire Truck Purchase – Chief reports that he will be applying for a grant to purchase a truck beyond F’09.
Police Mobile Data Terminals – A private donor and grant money helped to fund additional equipment. This is phase two of a project will provide a terminal in each car, and tie the terminals into a house system.
Police Cell Block Upgrade – There is $15,000 in Available Funds that cannot be accessed without Town Meeting vote. The cell is not compliant, and the state will shut it down July 1. Currently we bill Essex $7,500 per year for use of the cell. FinCom members will consider including this appropriation request in Special Town Meeting.
Police Patrol Car – This is an annual expense.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Police Detail Billing – Chief has set up a system of checks and balances with weekly and monthly reconciliations. He agrees that sending the bills can be done in another office; however he prefers to keep the accounting in his department. Detail vendors have a 10% processing fee added to their bill.
MINUTES – The minutes of 1/15/08 were unanimously adopted as written.
The meeting adjourned at 9:57 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Judith Sabella
Clerk
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