PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING
Date: November 19, 2020
To listen to a recording of the meeting please click https://fccdl.in/uRqARjIuOk
Present: (virtually) Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, Mona Colton
Public Present: (virtually) Trish Fryer, Betty Warner, Herb Kuendig
Ann called the meeting to order at 5:01pm. Seconded by Mona. Ann also made a motion, seconded by Joyce, to accept the Minutes of the November 10, 2020 Special Budget Meeting with edits. A motion was made by Ann under Agenda Modifications, seconded by Mona, to take New Business: Listers out of order and be presented first. All motions passed.
New Business – Listers:
· Postagewill remain at $200.00
· Supplies$500.00(there may be a greater need for these this coming year)
· Miscellaneousat $100.00
· NEMRC Supportis estimated $1,500.00(Actual bill has not yet been received.)
· License Feesestimated at $300.00(was $285.00 last year)
· Computerwas upgraded last year, and a new monitor was purchased this year. Betty explained that tablets are available for data collection in the field and this would be nice to have next year when the reappraisal starts as they are the same device the appraisal company uses and it would be a good opportunity for training in their use. The starting price for the Surface Pro 8 is around $849.00 and that may not include the software. Capital Expenses were discussed briefly as was the old computer possibly being made available to the public for research in the future.
· Salaries– leave at $5,500.00. Betty said she is not putting in for pay but will put in her hours so that the total salary figure will be maintained. She explained to the Board her reasons. Ann suggested that she add a short explanation to the Lister’s report in Town Report.
· Training– Reappraisal training was anticipated this year but didn’t happen. Leave at $1,660.00.
· Mapping Annual Supportexpenses will be paid from the Reappraisal Fund over the next two years.
Betty requested that if there are any changes made to their budget that she be notified prior to the Town Report being mailed out. She and the Board also discussed that other towns are hiring private assessors who may not necessarily reside in the town they serve. She felt the Town would be well served to look into this. The Lister positions would not be eliminated but would manage the assessor and do the daily work. Something to consider in the future.
Ann suggested starting where they left off the General Fund at the last meeting.
Old Business – General Fund:
Income:
· Town Clerk Fees– According to State law, Town Clerk fees are capped at $5.00/hour. Trish was asked about Development and Driveway Permits and should there be a fee to even complete an application. Currently Driveway Permits are $10 and $15 to have them recorded. Trish explained how the Driveway Permit Application process worked. She was also asked how people know if they are in the Flood Plain or not. She said that there are maps in the office as well as information online.
Expenses:
· Solid Waste Management Fee/Program Fee– Joyce said that she spoke to Mark Shea and there is no fee to join the Solid Waste program in Rutland. She said that people pay for a permit and/or $3/bag. The Town, however, would need to vote to join via a Special Town Meeting or at the annual Town Meeting. Joyce said that she wants to get this in writing. Ann said that she also spoke with Mark and he confirmed that the Town would not have to pay the fee that Bethel is requesting. Ann said that she also looked at the Minutes from 2014 through all of 2015 regarding the ordinance and new laws in effect. Homeowners were responsible for obtaining a collector for their trash as the Town could no longer contract with a hauler like they did in the past effective July 1, 2015. This will be discussed further in the budget meetings.
· Maintenance -
Town Hall– Expenses for the Town Hall may increase in anticipation of re-opening, but use may be restricted to part of the year due to COVID. Joyce felt that$2,500.00was more than enough for the coming year ( because previous line item included one time expenses- structural assessment, use of the church for Town Meeting plus materials for the floor, lift inspections).
Town Office Building– A price was discussed that would be reasonable and would include repainting the front of the building, cupola, and a few other spots. Ann suggested a separate line item for painting as well as a walk-around to take in inventory of what needs to be repaired/replaced. Perhaps obtain some estimates. It was decided to give this further thought.
Garage– Ann said she has not spoken with George regarding the garage and sand shed.
Fire Alarm– will be addressed when the bill comes in.
· Utilities – All are pretty much the same as last year.
Town Office Building – leave at $2,200.00 electricityand $2,800.00 fuel.
Town Garage – leave at $1,100.00 electricityand $1,200.00 fuel.
Town Hall -$1,150.00 electricityand $1,500.00 fuel.
The Town Hall’s fuel and electricity consumption, however, would increase if the building is being used.
Streetlights- $2,100.00.
· Parks & Grounds – These figures come from Connie.
Portable Toilet– removed from budget.
Labor– reduced as Connie and Johanna did not use as much as usual.
Trees & Bedding Plants – keep at$150.00
Signage- removed from budget
Fuel -$200.00
Equipment Maintenance- $300.00
Supplies– $100.00
Hired Equipment– $150.00
New Equipment– $250.00
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 5pm at the Town Office Building.
Ann made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:01pm. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha L. Beyersdorf, Secretary
Approved: November 24, 2020
/ /
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens Mona Colton
Date: November 19, 2020
To listen to a recording of the meeting please click https://fccdl.in/uRqARjIuOk
Present: (virtually) Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, Mona Colton
Public Present: (virtually) Trish Fryer, Betty Warner, Herb Kuendig
Ann called the meeting to order at 5:01pm. Seconded by Mona. Ann also made a motion, seconded by Joyce, to accept the Minutes of the November 10, 2020 Special Budget Meeting with edits. A motion was made by Ann under Agenda Modifications, seconded by Mona, to take New Business: Listers out of order and be presented first. All motions passed.
New Business – Listers:
· Postagewill remain at $200.00
· Supplies$500.00(there may be a greater need for these this coming year)
· Miscellaneousat $100.00
· NEMRC Supportis estimated $1,500.00(Actual bill has not yet been received.)
· License Feesestimated at $300.00(was $285.00 last year)
· Computerwas upgraded last year, and a new monitor was purchased this year. Betty explained that tablets are available for data collection in the field and this would be nice to have next year when the reappraisal starts as they are the same device the appraisal company uses and it would be a good opportunity for training in their use. The starting price for the Surface Pro 8 is around $849.00 and that may not include the software. Capital Expenses were discussed briefly as was the old computer possibly being made available to the public for research in the future.
· Salaries– leave at $5,500.00. Betty said she is not putting in for pay but will put in her hours so that the total salary figure will be maintained. She explained to the Board her reasons. Ann suggested that she add a short explanation to the Lister’s report in Town Report.
· Training– Reappraisal training was anticipated this year but didn’t happen. Leave at $1,660.00.
· Mapping Annual Supportexpenses will be paid from the Reappraisal Fund over the next two years.
Betty requested that if there are any changes made to their budget that she be notified prior to the Town Report being mailed out. She and the Board also discussed that other towns are hiring private assessors who may not necessarily reside in the town they serve. She felt the Town would be well served to look into this. The Lister positions would not be eliminated but would manage the assessor and do the daily work. Something to consider in the future.
Ann suggested starting where they left off the General Fund at the last meeting.
Old Business – General Fund:
Income:
· Town Clerk Fees– According to State law, Town Clerk fees are capped at $5.00/hour. Trish was asked about Development and Driveway Permits and should there be a fee to even complete an application. Currently Driveway Permits are $10 and $15 to have them recorded. Trish explained how the Driveway Permit Application process worked. She was also asked how people know if they are in the Flood Plain or not. She said that there are maps in the office as well as information online.
Expenses:
· Solid Waste Management Fee/Program Fee– Joyce said that she spoke to Mark Shea and there is no fee to join the Solid Waste program in Rutland. She said that people pay for a permit and/or $3/bag. The Town, however, would need to vote to join via a Special Town Meeting or at the annual Town Meeting. Joyce said that she wants to get this in writing. Ann said that she also spoke with Mark and he confirmed that the Town would not have to pay the fee that Bethel is requesting. Ann said that she also looked at the Minutes from 2014 through all of 2015 regarding the ordinance and new laws in effect. Homeowners were responsible for obtaining a collector for their trash as the Town could no longer contract with a hauler like they did in the past effective July 1, 2015. This will be discussed further in the budget meetings.
· Maintenance -
Town Hall– Expenses for the Town Hall may increase in anticipation of re-opening, but use may be restricted to part of the year due to COVID. Joyce felt that$2,500.00was more than enough for the coming year ( because previous line item included one time expenses- structural assessment, use of the church for Town Meeting plus materials for the floor, lift inspections).
Town Office Building– A price was discussed that would be reasonable and would include repainting the front of the building, cupola, and a few other spots. Ann suggested a separate line item for painting as well as a walk-around to take in inventory of what needs to be repaired/replaced. Perhaps obtain some estimates. It was decided to give this further thought.
Garage– Ann said she has not spoken with George regarding the garage and sand shed.
Fire Alarm– will be addressed when the bill comes in.
· Utilities – All are pretty much the same as last year.
Town Office Building – leave at $2,200.00 electricityand $2,800.00 fuel.
Town Garage – leave at $1,100.00 electricityand $1,200.00 fuel.
Town Hall -$1,150.00 electricityand $1,500.00 fuel.
The Town Hall’s fuel and electricity consumption, however, would increase if the building is being used.
Streetlights- $2,100.00.
· Parks & Grounds – These figures come from Connie.
Portable Toilet– removed from budget.
Labor– reduced as Connie and Johanna did not use as much as usual.
Trees & Bedding Plants – keep at$150.00
Signage- removed from budget
Fuel -$200.00
Equipment Maintenance- $300.00
Supplies– $100.00
Hired Equipment– $150.00
New Equipment– $250.00
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 5pm at the Town Office Building.
Ann made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:01pm. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha L. Beyersdorf, Secretary
Approved: November 24, 2020
/ /
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens Mona Colton
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