The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, began the workshop at 5:30 PM giving the Board each a draft budget with some figures figured in and some blanks still needing to be filled in. He said now as it stands this budget is down $7,000.

The Board started at the front of the draft budget and reviewed the numbers requested by heads of the departments, the following observations and comments arose:
* Mr. Ferebee said that the Judges had asked for an additional $6000 under personal service saying they were each asking for an increase of $3000 since they don't have a court clerk and handle all their own paperwork
* Ms. Neville asked how much longer the annex would be available to the Town, Mr. Ferebee said 2 years
* Mr. Ferebee said that personal service had been raised under public works and lowered under buildings to equal the same going out
* He said that personal service had been lowered under clerk/typist due to the decrease in Marcy's hours under that title
* Mr. Ferebee said he has received the tip to expect the insurance to be lower this year, not higher
* Mr. Ferebee said that $3000 has been moved from hiker parking contractual to hiker parking personal service keeping the budget the same
* During a brief discussion regarding the historian budget, it was suggested that hours and dates be set for working with the public
* Under celebrations, the $500 needs to be put back into the rutabaga festival line
* Mr. Ferebee said that $2000 has been left in "brush" for chipping
* Ms. Neville suggested that money be budgeted to have help at the transfer station during the busy summer times. Mr. Ferebee said $2000 could be moved to personal service from contractual and brush without changing that total
* Mr. Reed said the amount under general repairs contractual is what it is because he will be doing no blacktopping in 2011
* Mr. Reed said that International is coming out with a smaller truck, a dually, which he is interested in for 2011
* He said he is in the process of getting a cab for the orange tractor and may use $15,000 of this years $65,000 under equipment
* Mr. Reed said he didn't change the total for snow removal contractual for 2011 saying that the treated salt when he starts buying it is $93/ton
* He also told the Board that on snow removal personal services you can't tell what the overtime hours will be
* There was a discussion regarding service to other government personal service and how this should be in and out, Mr. Jaques asked where it comes back as a revenue, Mr. Reed said he would get the answer to that question
* Mr. Ferebee explained the changes in the library personal service saying that the main line was raised for Marcy's extra hours, with the evening and summer personal served removed

* He said that library contractual was raised in preparation for the new scanning system
* Mr. Ferebee said that Kirk's salary under water personal service will be the same and there is also money on that line for billing and collecting. Mrs. Estes reminded the Board that the billing and collection clerks had not been given a raise since 1995 and she was told by the Board to bring it back up at budget time

Ms. Neville said she didn't know what a "Cadillac" health plan the Town had until Jeff Burnham made his presentation to the Board. She said maybe it was time to have new employees pay part of their insurance. Mr. Ferebee said he would look into this idea.

Mr. Martin said the old health insurance covered one trip a year to the dentist, he said with mouth cancer, etc., he would like to see this coverage re-instated. Mr. Ferebee suggested AFLAC coverage, but said he would look into the cost of adding one visit per year.

Mr. Ferebee said for the budget meeting next week, he would bring the comparison of a 3% raise against no raise.

Mr. Martin asked Mr. Ferebee to get the Essex County comparison for all positions. Mr. Ferebee said he had it and would get a copy to everyone.

Mr. Jaques said he would have more questions at the next meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 PM.

Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
September 21, 2010

William B. Ferebee, Supervisor
Paul R. Martin, Councilperson
Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson
Marcy A. Neville, Councilperson
Lawrence Jaques, Councilperson