November 5, 2008

 

Minutes of the Public Hearing upon Preliminary Budget, held Wednesday, November 5, 2008, at 5:00 PM, at the Keene Town Hall.  The following Town Board Members were present:  William B. Ferebee, Supervisor, Paul R. Martin, Robert M. Biesemeyer, Marcy A. Neville and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council.  Also present were:  Donna Reed Austin, Tax Collector, Donna Combs, Assessor, Lawrence House, Carol Treadwell and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.

 

The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, called the hearing to order at 5:00 PM, explaining this hearing is to review the preliminary budget.

 

He started by saying that the increased salary recently discussed for the Tax Collector would not be necessary since the County had rescinded the resolution to extend the tax collection period to include the month of May.

Mrs. Austin explained that if the computer program can be changed to add the extra month into the installment program the extension may occur in future tax collection periods.

 

Mr. Ferebee gave the Board the new version of the budget worked on by himself and Paula McDonough.

He explained to those present that a 3% increase had been given to the employees.

He said the highway budget is up 12% due to the cost of sand and salt, he said Mr. Reed will not be putting in for any new equipment for 2009.

He said this new version shows $25,000 will be added to various areas of the budget, since the preliminary budget, as discussed by the Board, for the purchase of a new truck for public works, parks, water, plowing the Garden, etc.

He said the Library budget was only increased about $400.

 

Mr. Biesemeyer informed those present that nothing had been cut and that there was no change to the employee’s health insurance.

 

Mr. Ferebee said he had the Fire Districts budgets and that Keene’s was very close to the same as last years and that Keene Valley’s had gone up about 4% overall.

 

Mr. Jaques said that he would like to explain that the highway budget wasn’t really going up 12.4%, it was only changing about 4 to 5%, but because of less in the unexpended balance, an increase of 12.4% would need to be raised by taxes.

 

Resolution No. 187 – 08

Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that with all questions and comments answered, this hearing be adjourned.  This resolution was seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.

Roll Call Vote:

Mr. Ferebee:              Yes

Mr. Martin:                  Yes

Mr. Biesemeyer:        Yes

Ms. Neville:                Yes

Mr. Jaques:                Yes

 

This meeting was adjourned at 5:26 PM.

 

                                                                                    Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk

                                                                                    November 7, 2008

 

William B. Ferebee, Supervisor

Paul R. Martin, Robert M. Biesemeyer, Marcy A. Neville and

Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council