PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING
Date: December 3, 2020
To listen to a recording of the meeting click https://fccdl.in/6tic1LVBdk
Present: (virtually) Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, Mona Colton
Public Present: (virtually) Trish Fryer, Caleb Hawley
Agenda
Agenda Modifications: Ann would like to add that the PVFR would like approval of an equipment purchase. Mona seconded. Approved. Add as NB#2. As Caleb is here to discuss the fire department’s budget, this will be taken out of order.
Minutes Approval: Special Budget Meeting November 24, 2020. Ann made a motion, seconded by Mona, to accept the Minutes of the November 24, 2020 Special Budget Meeting. Motion passed.
Old Business:
1. General, Highway, Fire Department Budgets
New Business:
1. Capital Improvements Plan
2. PVFR equipment purchase request
Next Special Budget Meeting Date; Tuesday December 8, 2020 at 4pm
Adjourn
Ann called the meeting to order at 5:05pm. Seconded by Mona. All in favor.
Old Business:
1. General, Highway, Fire Department Budgets
Caleb was asked to go line by line through the Fire Department’s budget line items and explain the increases and decreases proposed.
· Operations – Dispatching Fees: $5,000 has been proposed. This is an increase from $0 as the State is planning to impose a fee for each dispatch. There was some discussion about taking out the $5,000.00. Caleb felt that it was best to leave it in in anticipation of the implementation rather than try to find the money later. He said that the initial startup fee was thought to be around $5,000.00 for the fees for dispatching. Ann said that she spoke with VLCT. The Legislature passed an addendum to Act 166 in September that prohibits the Department of Public Safety from charging fees in any contractual agreement to perform dispatching duties for the state, municipal or other emergency services until it is established in law a dispatch fee schedule. It will have to go through the legislative process, the DPS will have to hold three public hearings before the legislature, who then must discuss and pass it. The Board asked Caleb for his thoughts on this and the Board felt that this probably would not take effect much before 2022, especially since municipal budgets would be set by then. Caleb said that the dues will have to be added in for Rutland County Mutual Aid and current dispatching fees. minus $5,000 plus $1,200
· Operations – Vehicle Maintenance: This year the vehicle maintenance has been broken down by vehicle. They overspent as they went over each vehicle to make sure they were inspected and informed as to what may need repair or replacement in their mechanics. They decided to set a $1,000.00 limit per vehicle to handle these items. Ann noted that the line-item budget submitted gave a better comparison of income and expenses than in previous years. The budget estimate last year was a good projection. Adjusting the line items will help give a better idea of where money is needed. $4,000
· Facilities and Equipment – Equipment: Ann questioned the Facilities and Equipment - Equipment line item. She asked Caleb what this category included. He said that this past year they purchased hard hats, headlamps, and hand tools. It was used for a few things, not major cost items but just the day to day. Reducing the $7,200 was discussed. $7,200
· The final proposed amount of $21,875 was agreed to.
General Fund:
· Employee Benefits – Health Reimbursement. George in HW would be the same. Blue Cross would be $10,800. Stay with the same at $9,579
· Late April 2019 Flood – Trish said that interest this year looks to be $3,308. The loan will be rewritten in May.
· VLCT Insurance Package - $22,279
· Dues and Contributions –
VLCT – remains at $1,743
TRORC – remains at $835
Visiting Nurse Alliance – remains at $1,000
Community Care/Park House – remains at $500
Central VT Council on Aging – remains at $600
VT Center for Independent Living – remains at $75
VT Rural Fire Protection Task Force – remains at $100
Red Cross – requests $250
Community Care Network/Rutland County Mental Health - requests $588
Tri-Valley Transit (formerly Stagecoach) - requests $230
Child First Advocacy - requests $400
VT Council on Rural Development – requests donation
Preservation Trust – requests donation
· Refuse – Ann said that Mark Shea has brought this up at their two Board meetings. There are no fees to join but an Article would have to be written reflecting language in their By-Laws regarding membership. Discussion. Table further discussion due to the meeting cut-off time.
New Business:
1. Capital Improvement Plan – not addressed.
2. PVFR request for equipment purchase approval. The fire department is asking for a $6,800 budget increase. Caleb was asked to discuss. Caleb said they would like to purchase six self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) tanks. They previously hoped to stagger the purchase of these tanks, however with COVID affecting pricing, etc, the better time to purchase was now. He said that the best cost he has gotten now is $5,397 for the six tanks. Scott has locked in the price until the end of the year. M&S is the supplier, and they are good to work with. Ann asked if they could stagger the expiration dates on the tank. Caleb said that the tanks are time stamped and therefor are not able to do that. The tanks are good for 15 years. He felt that if they were not purchased soon that there would be a significant price increase. Currently there is $10,292 in the Capital Expense fund. If the money is taken from there, the balance could be rolled into the equipment fund. Mona agreed that the purchase now was a good idea. Ann motioned to approve the purchase of six SCUBA bottles for a total of $5,397 including shipping costs if applicable. Mona seconded. Motion passed.
Next Special Budget Meeting Date:
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 4:00pm at the Town Office.
Adjourn: As there was no further business to conduct, Ann made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:02pm. Seconded by Mona. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
s/Martha L. Beyersdorf, Secretary
Approved: December 17, 2020
/ /
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens Mona Colton
Date: December 3, 2020
To listen to a recording of the meeting click https://fccdl.in/6tic1LVBdk
Present: (virtually) Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, Mona Colton
Public Present: (virtually) Trish Fryer, Caleb Hawley
Agenda
Agenda Modifications: Ann would like to add that the PVFR would like approval of an equipment purchase. Mona seconded. Approved. Add as NB#2. As Caleb is here to discuss the fire department’s budget, this will be taken out of order.
Minutes Approval: Special Budget Meeting November 24, 2020. Ann made a motion, seconded by Mona, to accept the Minutes of the November 24, 2020 Special Budget Meeting. Motion passed.
Old Business:
1. General, Highway, Fire Department Budgets
New Business:
1. Capital Improvements Plan
2. PVFR equipment purchase request
Next Special Budget Meeting Date; Tuesday December 8, 2020 at 4pm
Adjourn
Ann called the meeting to order at 5:05pm. Seconded by Mona. All in favor.
Old Business:
1. General, Highway, Fire Department Budgets
Caleb was asked to go line by line through the Fire Department’s budget line items and explain the increases and decreases proposed.
· Operations – Dispatching Fees: $5,000 has been proposed. This is an increase from $0 as the State is planning to impose a fee for each dispatch. There was some discussion about taking out the $5,000.00. Caleb felt that it was best to leave it in in anticipation of the implementation rather than try to find the money later. He said that the initial startup fee was thought to be around $5,000.00 for the fees for dispatching. Ann said that she spoke with VLCT. The Legislature passed an addendum to Act 166 in September that prohibits the Department of Public Safety from charging fees in any contractual agreement to perform dispatching duties for the state, municipal or other emergency services until it is established in law a dispatch fee schedule. It will have to go through the legislative process, the DPS will have to hold three public hearings before the legislature, who then must discuss and pass it. The Board asked Caleb for his thoughts on this and the Board felt that this probably would not take effect much before 2022, especially since municipal budgets would be set by then. Caleb said that the dues will have to be added in for Rutland County Mutual Aid and current dispatching fees. minus $5,000 plus $1,200
· Operations – Vehicle Maintenance: This year the vehicle maintenance has been broken down by vehicle. They overspent as they went over each vehicle to make sure they were inspected and informed as to what may need repair or replacement in their mechanics. They decided to set a $1,000.00 limit per vehicle to handle these items. Ann noted that the line-item budget submitted gave a better comparison of income and expenses than in previous years. The budget estimate last year was a good projection. Adjusting the line items will help give a better idea of where money is needed. $4,000
· Facilities and Equipment – Equipment: Ann questioned the Facilities and Equipment - Equipment line item. She asked Caleb what this category included. He said that this past year they purchased hard hats, headlamps, and hand tools. It was used for a few things, not major cost items but just the day to day. Reducing the $7,200 was discussed. $7,200
· The final proposed amount of $21,875 was agreed to.
General Fund:
· Employee Benefits – Health Reimbursement. George in HW would be the same. Blue Cross would be $10,800. Stay with the same at $9,579
· Late April 2019 Flood – Trish said that interest this year looks to be $3,308. The loan will be rewritten in May.
· VLCT Insurance Package - $22,279
· Dues and Contributions –
VLCT – remains at $1,743
TRORC – remains at $835
Visiting Nurse Alliance – remains at $1,000
Community Care/Park House – remains at $500
Central VT Council on Aging – remains at $600
VT Center for Independent Living – remains at $75
VT Rural Fire Protection Task Force – remains at $100
Red Cross – requests $250
Community Care Network/Rutland County Mental Health - requests $588
Tri-Valley Transit (formerly Stagecoach) - requests $230
Child First Advocacy - requests $400
VT Council on Rural Development – requests donation
Preservation Trust – requests donation
· Refuse – Ann said that Mark Shea has brought this up at their two Board meetings. There are no fees to join but an Article would have to be written reflecting language in their By-Laws regarding membership. Discussion. Table further discussion due to the meeting cut-off time.
New Business:
1. Capital Improvement Plan – not addressed.
2. PVFR request for equipment purchase approval. The fire department is asking for a $6,800 budget increase. Caleb was asked to discuss. Caleb said they would like to purchase six self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) tanks. They previously hoped to stagger the purchase of these tanks, however with COVID affecting pricing, etc, the better time to purchase was now. He said that the best cost he has gotten now is $5,397 for the six tanks. Scott has locked in the price until the end of the year. M&S is the supplier, and they are good to work with. Ann asked if they could stagger the expiration dates on the tank. Caleb said that the tanks are time stamped and therefor are not able to do that. The tanks are good for 15 years. He felt that if they were not purchased soon that there would be a significant price increase. Currently there is $10,292 in the Capital Expense fund. If the money is taken from there, the balance could be rolled into the equipment fund. Mona agreed that the purchase now was a good idea. Ann motioned to approve the purchase of six SCUBA bottles for a total of $5,397 including shipping costs if applicable. Mona seconded. Motion passed.
Next Special Budget Meeting Date:
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 4:00pm at the Town Office.
Adjourn: As there was no further business to conduct, Ann made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:02pm. Seconded by Mona. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
s/Martha L. Beyersdorf, Secretary
Approved: December 17, 2020
/ /
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens Mona Colton
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