September 14, 2009

Notes from the Budget Workshop held on Monday, September 14, 2009 at the Town Annex, at 5:30 PM. The following Town Board Members were present: William B. Ferebee, Supervisor, Marcy A. Neville and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council. Absent: Paul R. Martin and Robert M. Biesemeyer, Members of Council. Also present were: Bruce Reed, Highway Superintendent and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.

Mr. Ferebee began by saying the Board could discuss the buildings needs, he said that the youth budget was not ready yet.

Mr. Reed began with the highway budget saying that he had asked for money in his budget to pave Market Street after the water project explaining that it is already torn up worse than expected.

Mr. Ferebee said that Luck Brothers would be patch paving and that Mr. Reed wanted to do it right. He said that Mr. Reed is preparing for the worst.

Mr. Jaques asked Mr. Reed about his request for an excavator.

Mr. Reed said he was requesting the purchase of a rubber track excavator for ditching.

Mr. Jaques said he didn’t think this machine would be great for ditching and would be difficult to move around. He went on to say it’s an expensive machine for ditching.

Mr. Reed explained he already has a 9 ton trailer to haul it.

Mr. Ferebee said he was allowing for a 15% medical insurance increase, saying he was told to plan on 13 to 18%.

He said New York Retirement was being figured at a 15% increase.

He said that BTI would remain the same.

Mr. Ferebee said that the Keene Valley Library is asking for an increase of not more than 3%.

Mr. Ferebee said he was asking for a $3,000 increase, that the highway and Town Clerk had asked for a 3¾ % increase and the Town Justices had requested an 8% increase. He said the Tax Collector was in the worksheet at last year’s salary since she had not requested an increase.

Mr. Ferebee recommended that the allowance for the purchase of safety boots be increased from $100 a year to $125 a year.

Mr. Ferebee said that he was holding over the $5,000 given by Ironman for the purchase of playground equipment.

The Board Members discussed the need to look over the Community Center in regards to the office space issue. It was agreed to hold a Special Town Board Meeting for this purpose on Wednesday, September 23^rd at 5:00 PM. This meeting will be advertised on channel 6.

This meeting was adjourned at 6:35 PM.

Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk

September 22, 2009

William B. Ferebee, Supervisor

Paul R. Martin, Councilperson

Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson

Marcy A. Neville, Councilperson

Lawrence Jaques, Councilperson