The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, called the workshop to order at 5:35 PM.

Mr. Ferebee explained to the Board that he has provided them with a new worksheet showing the difference of no employee raise and a 3% raise.
The following discussions were held:
* Mr. Ferebee said he had raised sidewalks from 4,000 to 10,000 saying that they need to be replaced on Market Street from the school to Tina Bell's, a distance of 33 feet which is estimated to cost $7,900
* He said this worksheet does not reflect $3,000 for extra transfer station help
* Mr. Biesemeyer said he would like to address the big questions first, the 3% and the $6,000 requested by the Justices
* Mr. Martin began a discussion regarding the water billing and collection salary request saying he had prepared a flow chart. Mrs. Estes said there had been no increase in these salaries since 1995, the Board talked about how much, comparing it to the annual 3% over these years, Mr. Biesemeyer said it was nit picking and said it's about $500 for billing and $500 for collection to get it back where it belonged, everyone agreed
* Mr. Ferebee answered the questions submitted by Mr. Jaques asking what the different line items are used for
* Mr. Ferebee said that the Personnel Personal Service line will be reduced from $10,000 to $5,000
* The Board agreed to keep Adult Recreation Senior Club the same as in 2010 @ $2000 instead of the $2310 requested
* Mr. Ferebee said that a 15% increase is being budgeted for health insurance. Ms. Neville proposed that new employees share the cost of their health insurance. There was brief discussion regarding everyone contributing, Mr. Ferebee said he would do a study on this by checking with the other towns to see what they do. The Board requested having the Town's Insurance Representative come in
* Mr. Reed said that the savings to Alan Carey retiring is being made in the savings of hiring the 2 new guys at lower wages and the fact that being a new tier in the retirement system, the employee pays longer themselves into retirement
* Mr. Jaques asked where the savings to General Repairs Personal Service is, Mr. Reed suggested looking at the operating statement. Mr. Martin suggested and the Board agreed to lower this from $130,000 to $125,000
* Mr. Martin suggesting sharing a mechanic with other towns, Mr. Reed said he has been using the County mechanic for a couple years
* Mr. Ferebee explained that the Library Clerk Personal Service is up due to the extra hours, but the evening and summer clerk has been removed, also Mrs. LeClair is doing less hours in the Town Hall lowering that item
* Ms. Neville suggested lowering the items for books and movies since the scanning system will encourage borrowing from other libraries, Mr. Ferebee said it will take about a year to implement this system and then that was possible
* Mr. Jaques asked to go back to the highway, and asked to see where the amount under Service to Other Gov't Personal Service comes back to the Town. Mr. Martin suggested this be researched and picked up at the next meeting
* Ms. Neville suggested thinking about how to make money with the empty airplane hangers on Marcy Field. She also suggested haying the field, the Board was not in favor. Mr. Ferebee suggested marketing the Holt House for weddings, etc. A discussion regarding the community garden followed
* The next discussion was in regards to the proposed 3% salary increase. When asked if they were in favor, Mr. Jaques, Ms. Neville and Mr. Martin all said no (Mr. Martin said except Cliff). Mr. Biesemeyer said he didn't want to see a double whammy of a change adding an employee contribution to health insurance and no salary increase
* Ms. Neville said she would like to propose to Mr. Reed that he try to find a way to reduce the garage heating bill. Mr. Reed said the problem is that the furnace is too big and burns too much fuel
* Mr. Biesemeyer again said that he didn't think a 0% raise was good, Mr. Ferebee said he proposes 0% for elected and 3% for non-elected. Mr. Jaques, Ms. Neville and Mr. Martin stated they wanted 0% across the board
* Mr. Biesemeyer then asked about the Justice request of $3000 each. Mr. Ferebee said he understood their reason, having no clerks to help out. Mr. Martin suggested looking at the comparison with the other towns. Mr. Biesemeyer and Ms. Neville pointed out that the Town of Keene is #4 on the pay scale for that position throughout the County. Ms. Neville suggested looking into the cost of a clerk. Mr. Biesemeyer suggested meeting the Justices half way. Mr. Jaques said he would like to talk to the Judges saying a 33% increase was big. He suggested putting in no increase for the tentative saying an increase could be added later.

With tonight's workshop complete, the meeting was adjourned at 7:36 PM.

Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
September 30, 2010

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