The budget meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Mount Hope was held at Town Hall on September 14, 2016 at 6:00pm with the following present: Supervisor Chad Volpe, Councilman Brian Carey, Councilman Matt Howell, Councilwoman Janet Sutherland, Councilman Dominick Cambareri and Town Clerk Kathleen Myers.
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Chief P. Rickard.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Volpe called the meeting to order at 6:00PM.
Chief Rickard stated that he submitted his proposal to Chad. Councilman Carey confirmed the gap from midnight to 6amwith the Chief. Chief suggested that from Memorial day through Labor Day to add shifts which would add #49,437.28 to his budget (without supervision). That would be 2 officers/shift. Contract could allow for midnight to 4am. Councilman Howell asked what time frames have the most activities. Chief stated it’s scattered. They could go 1 week with no calls after midnight or 4 nights in a row. He did suggest that 2 officers be in one car (as opposed to one officer in each car) and try it for a Thursday, Friday & Saturday in a row. Councilman Carey asked if there were incentives from the state for DWI check points. Chief stated there is money from the county. There was discussion on increasing patrols for prom night and graduation nights.
Chief added that there will never be enough productivity to offset the fines. It would cost approx. $49.84/hour to add 2 people for 4 hours. Councilman Howell asked if the hours could be staggered. Chief stated it would depend because he has to follow the contract. Board members agreed to try a PILOT with the added hours. There was brief discussion on a new car. Supervisor received a call re: putting a police car on Grange Road due to the detour and speeding. He then explained the emergency management line.
Supervisor Volpe gave a brief overview of the Supervisor’s report. He noted that his first year he had a long list of budget modifications at the end of the year and monies surplussed. All personal services should be close to zero by the end of the year. He next went line by line starting at the beginning of the budget with General A.
He then went through General B. He explained that he would like to get 2 tablets for the building department to explain the increase in the equipment line. There was no change for the revenue in B.
Next they went through the Highway DA & DB accounts and the Hidden Valley budgets. Eventually, the supervisor would like to look at other municipalities salaries to get a comparison.
RESOLUTION TO ADJOURN:
MOTION offered by Councilman Carey 2nd by Councilman Howell to adjourn the meeting at 9:22pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers, RMO
Town Clerk