The budget meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Mount Hope was held at Town Hall on September 21, 2015 at 6:00pm with the following present: Supervisor Chad Volpe, Councilman Gary Ketcham, Councilman Matt Howell, Councilwoman Janet Sutherland, Councilman Dominick Cambareri and Town Clerk Kathleen Myers.
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Judges: J. Hosking & J. Goldsmith, Chief P. Rickard.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Volpe called the meeting to order at 6:00PM.
6:00PM Supervisor Volpe asked Judge Hosking to begin. Judge Hosking spoke of the .1 part of budget. He put 3% for everyone. He asked about the $45,000 in the contractual part. Supervisor explained that so far this year $30,000 has been spent; sent to New York. Only 32% left. He further explained that due to a complaint of the judicial conduct committee he put in for an additional 1%. He had to go to city with an attorney. Not allowed to have a fund set up by state law. It cost him $8,500 out of his pocket. Councilman Cambareri asked why he wasn’t supplied a lawyer. Judge Hosking: not allowed to. It took about 2 years to go through the whole system. His claim was unwarranted and totally dismissed. He had no recourse. He doesn’t believe they should have to do this themselves. This is why he asked for the additional 1%. Councilman Cambareri: we still lose $1,000/week in the courts. How can we rectify this? Judge Goldsmith: our job is to do justice for the town, not to make money for the town. The money we make is a bonus for the town. How much does the police make for the town? The highway dept.? Cambareri: nothing. Goldsmith: we make some $ in fines. As a general rule, the prosecutor handles them appropriately. Supervisor asked if fees are set by the court system? Goldsmith: They give you guidelines with highs & lows. Cambareri: we’re the only municipality that loses $ on the court system. Hosking: There’s hundreds in the state. Discussion with Supervisor re: building maintenance person. Judge Goldsmith spoke of possibly getting another exit door somewhere in their part of the building. Supervisor spoke re: getting a grant for this. Judges thanked the board members.
Supervisor Volpe stated that with all the numbers in the budget right now it would be going up 1%. His goal is to go down 1%. They started with the building department request. Personal services reflect 3%. The equipment line going down $500. Supervisor spoke re: clerk’s (Angie, Julie, Carol, Amy) salaries & giving $1 per year raise for 3 years then going to a merit system. Equipment for building department will stay the same. He would like to go online for the building department with IPad’s. So, if someone calls and wants to know when they are getting an inspection anyone here in the offices can go online and let them know.
6:30PM Chief Rickard spoke re: his budget and a possible maintenance person. He put $7,800 for 10 hours/week in his budget for this. Personal services is only the raises & only contractual. They really need a maintenance person – Dean’s guys do a great job but they don’t always have the time. He spoke re: replacing #151 Dodge Charger. It has a lot of problems. It’s important to keep the car replacement schedule at 1/year. He noted also that Sherri needs a new computer. Councilman Howell asked what kind of car he is looking to buy. Chief: same as this year. It’s all wheel drive. Supervisor asked how much was in the capital reserves equipment account. Chief: after the garage approx. $110,000. He spoke re: a concrete floor for the garage. Supervisor spoke re: maintenance person being a good idea. No benefits would be paid. Discussion ensued. Doug Hutchings would need to be contacted. Councilman Howell asked how old the fleet of cars was. Chief stated: 157 is 2009, 2- 2013’s, 2015, 2012. The warranty is about to expire soon on the Charger. Supervisor asked if there were any other questions. There were none.
Councilman Cambareri asked about the building department. It is hard to read the numbers on the request. Board agreed to go over the highway lines. Supervisor stated that most lines would be staying the same. The personal services accounts are non-negotiable if the contract goes through. He spoke about bridges, general repairs, brush & weeds, DB5112 is money that comes from the state, machinery, snow removal. Supt. of highways – 2% increase last year, clerk received $1 raise. Proposal again $1 raise. Councilman Cambareri total increase of $5,000 +. Supervisor asked clerk to note to go back to A5010 for next time. A1610 is for General Code book. A1355 can’t negotiate; it’s contract amount. He spoke re: revaluation. We’ll have enough to do one.
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Planning board – chair is at 3%. Increase for budget officer $50. Town Clerk explained Deputy increase in pay. Tax Collector is w/ 3% increase. Buildings he would like to look into a maintenance person 20 hours/week @ $15/hour.
Library – we’ve received nothing yet from them. Hidden Valley will be in the red before the end of the year. 3% for the guys that run the plant. He bumped up the .4 due to all the issues there. Councilman Howell asked about the updates due to DEC. Supervisor: it’s something we have to plan for & bond out.
Supervisor spoke re: Howells fire – he has nothing from them yet. MH fire still has 7 months into next year.
Supervisor added that we meet next week at 7pm. Should be done in no time. He will re-work some of the numbers.
RESOLUTION TO ADJOURN:
MOTION offered by Supervisor Volpe 2nd by Councilman Howell to adjourn the meeting at 7:17pm. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers, Town Clerk
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