The budget meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Mount Hope was held at Town Hall on September 30, 2014 at 7:00pm 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: Chief Rickard, Justice J. Hosking & Justice J. Goldsmith.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Volpe called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.
Town Clerk gave board members the Howell’s fire budget sheet received in the mail today. Supervisor Volpe stated to the board that he ran the numbers for the highway guys requests. He stated that there is an overall difference of $26,886.60 compared to their request. With overtime and 3% the cost would be $13,625. It would be $1,407 for the extra personal day and $700 extra for the $100/man for a total of $15,732. The board discussed negotiating with the highway guys. Councilwoman Sutherland asked how we compare to the other towns and their highway departments. Supervisor Volpe stated that he did not speak with all the surrounding towns but he did contact some of them. Except for the 2 newest guys we were pretty comparable with other towns highway pay. Councilwoman Sutherland asked if he had spoken with the attorney regarding the handbook issue? Supervisor Volpe did not get a chance to speak with him today. Councilman Ketcham believes that the handbook should be enough and that is their “contract”. Councilwoman Sutherland asked about them going union. Would it benefit? Councilman Cambareri stated it would make all the little things go away; everything would be all spelled out. The board agreed to negotiate with the guys.
7:30PM – Chief Rickard spoke to the board. He stated that there is a 1.6% increase over last year but it’s in the personal services. He discussed his salary, Matt’s salary & Pat’s salary. He stated that some items in the personal services part are contractual. Over all it is the same exact service this year. The contractual portion shows a decrease. He added that everything in the equipment line went down except for the new car. He explained the replacement schedule to the board and recommends they keep up with it. Supervisor Volpe added that repairs come out of central garage. They discussed the dental coverage in the health care line for Paul, Matt & Pat. Councilman Cambareri asked about the shifts being staggered. Chief stated there is 1 person from 6am to 2pm, 1 person from 8-4 and 2 people from 4-14.
8:15pm – Justices Goldsmith and Hosking came before the board. Supervisor Volpe stated that he went back 5 years and sees that their department is losing money. He asked if they could explain it. Judge Goldsmith explained that a lot has to do with the # of tickets they get on V&T night. Supervisor Volpe asked if this was a main source of revenue? Judge Hosking stated not really; criminal nights cover misdemeanors, DWI’s etc. and very little stays in the town. Judge Goldsmith explained that their job is not to generate revenue for the town. He explained that each judge has one criminal night per month and one V&T night per month. They agreed that having 2 clerks works great. The court officers are very well trained. The clerks are putting in for another grant as well. Everything they get with a grant is because of a new mandate. Supervisor Volpe explained that his ultimate goal is to not increase taxes and he needs a 0% increase.
The board discussed having another budget meeting as they did not get through all of it. After discussion, they agreed on Oct. 7.
RESOLUTION TO SCHEDULE BUDGET MEETING:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri seconded by Councilman Howell to schedule a budget meeting for the 2015 Annual Budget on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 7:00pm. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION TO ADJOURN:
MOTION offered by Councilwoman Sutherland seconded by Councilman Howell to adjourn meeting at 10:00pm. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers, Town Clerk 157