TranscriptSelect Board Meeting ~ March 3, 2015

five selectmen are here. Uh this meeting is to go over the uh final warrant to send out for the town meeting. And so I guess we'll start right at the beginning. Uh obviously the greetings is that's the way it has to be worded. Articles one and two are um to choose the moderator and to elect a municipal officer. Those have to be that in that order. Article three just uh is the to adopt the main moderators manual rule procedure. Um and then we get into the money articles. Uh first one is to see what sum of money the town will v vote to raise and or appropriate for administration expenses. The budget committee agreed with the selectman's recommendation of 327,893

funds. $80,484 from designated funds, 2,200 from telecommunications, 2,618 from building permits, $1,750 from electrical permits, 3,169 from plumbing permits, $32,327 from delinquent tax interest, $14,223 from vehicle registrations, $16,1 $1 from tax exempt reimbursement,

$6,3449 from town clerk fees, $1,847 from miscellaneous revenues, and that would leave us raising $247,49. Another question I had was about the telecommunications the 22 that was what the budget committee that's what the budget committee recommended and so we can put a different uh we can leave that out if we want. So that the telecommunications suggested I mean sorry the budget committee suggested putting telecommunications money in that for the printing of the uh town uh the town report. Do we have that money available from the franchise agreement?

Yes, there is still uh we there was a decent gap between what was spent last year and what came in uh several thousand and appears to be going to be the same this year. And we can only apply that money to certain we're limited in what we can apply that to. Correct?

Not really. We can choose it. There is no there's no stipulation on it. has typically been for telecommunications type things and this is but it can't go into like just the general undesated funds. It could if if we decided that we wanted to use it for I mean it it goes into a designated fund but we can use those designated funds for whatever we want as far as there's no I don't believe there's no I don't believe there's any stipulation on what those funds are used. It's basically historical how we've used it.

article. So, move. I'll second. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. Article five to see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and or appropriate for town hall capital projects. Um, currently we have recommended $5,000 trans transferring that $5,000 from the uh designated fund balance the municipal building account. Um, the we should have

in there the budget committee makes no recommendations due uh to lack of information is what they is I think the way they wanted it worded or something like that. Right. And I I have difficulty with that because we have denied other committees requests for funds, historical committee in the past with in the absence of any particular plan or and estimates and that kind of thing. And we have no plan. We have, you know, people have eyeballed it and said, "Oh, yeah, maybe this, maybe that." And so I think that we ought to hold all the departments to the same standard and and that in order to to allocate funds for improvements, there has to be a plan.

I I agree. I but I want I wonder if we might be able to have the plan by town meeting. And my my thought was that we put in an amount. I from what the discussion it seemed like 5,000 was low, but we put an amount that would be uh would most likely do it. And if we

can have a plan um estimates uh some sort of estimates and stuff before town meeting, then we go ahead with it. If not, we uh vote. I would put in the motion on the town floor that we go for $0. I think it's getting it sounds like

that it is becoming very frustrating for the office to deal with it and um so I I think I agree with you that we definitely um this was kind of a lastm minute thing but if we can have something protects us but if we don't have a formal plan then then we could

throw it out on the on the floor. Yes. And there was some discussion I thought about leaving that leaving it open uh till we got those estimates and then coming up with a number. Can't we have more? Oh, actually actually we can we uh we can have an article in there to see what some money the town will vote and raise to appropriate for town hall capital projects and have no recommendations. And so um and then we would we would

there would be an explanation where you would say we'd like this is the what we'd like to do. This is the estimate that we've gotten. This is where we've gotten it. This is and then the town could choose to and I would actually I like that idea and the budget committees was for was no recommendation for lack of information. And I think uh

same thing for you guys. Yeah, I think we kind of discussed that with them too due to current lack of information. Yeah. So I think kind of go along with the same thing. Yeah. And then and then we can uh if we have something great. If we don't then we can just do zero dollars and hopeful it would be a very quick article. I I think I like that that idea then.

Yeah. I think we'll have something. So, you need a motion on that one, too? Yes, please. I would move to present article 5 as written with no recommendation. Second. All in favor? Motion carries. Article six to see what sum money the town will vote to raise andor appropriate for animal control. Both the budget and select budget committee and selectman recommend $14,172 transferring 5001 from designated fund balance and that is the animal control uh receipts and raising $13,671.

presented. Second. All in favor? Motion carries. I'm not trying to make this take longer, but will we be explaining at town meeting that we are trying to I intend to plan? Yeah, I I So the the way I typically will address each of these articles is when they we usually give the selectman and budget committee a chance to explain any article that has needs some explanation or whatever, I will do it. Um there are sometimes some that you don't you don't need it and you just drag it out if you do.

Yeah. Oh, absolutely. Yeah. Article seven to see what sum of money the town will vote to raise andor appropriate for assessing the selectman and budget committee. Both recommend $19,950. presented? Second. All in favor? Motion carries. Article eight to see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and appropriate for cemeteries. The selectman and budget committee recommend 40 sorry $4,70.

Any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries to see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and or appropriate for conservation. This is article 9. The selectman and budget committee both recommend uh $2,150 transferring $2,150 from the recreation fund.

So move second. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. Article 10 to see what sum money the town will vote to raise andor appropriate for social and community service agencies. Selectman and budget committee both recommend $3,000 raising $3,000. The $3,000 would go $500 to Community Concepts, 500 to Western Main Transportation, 500 to Leo, 500 to Andersken Home Health, 500 to Seniors Plus, and 500 to Lifeflight.

So move. Second. Discussion. All in favor? Did you all see the emails or the email that we got this afternoon about? Yes. Uh, kind of late for that, would you think? Or well, he wasn't asking for money. He just wants Yes, he was asking.

He wanted Yeah, he wanted 5,000 this year. And yeah, 2500 going forward. And unfortunately, he had Well, let's wait until we get down to that article. Uh, article 11, uh, to see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and or appropriate for the Eureka Community Center. The selectment and budget committee recommend $4,854 transferring $1,915 from designated fund balance. That's from the Eureka Rentals and raising $2,939.

Um, any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. Article 12 to see what summer money the town will vote to raise and or appropriate for Eureka Community Center capital projects. The selectmen uh have recommended $3,000 transferring 3,000 from designated fund balance Eureka fundraising. The budget committee recommends $1,500 transferring $1,500 from designated fund balance Eureka fundraising.

All right. I do have some discussion on this. Uh there was a decent amount of discussion at the budget committee meeting and um it it really looks like the stove is the project for this year. And um it for all intents and purposes, it looks as if the stove should be able to be done for $1,500. Why not? Uh

you have to get I talked to Paul about this. said, "Besides the price for the stove, you have to get like all the fittings and the attachments and all that kind of stuff." He says, he says, "It's very expensive." I don't know.

It's over. It's over half the cost of the stove to get cuz the stove was 101,000 to $1,100 was one of the uh and so on. I always hope so. I was going to call Pearl and ask her to get quotes together for the town meeting so that she could present what they really wanted. But you know,

for the amount that the Eureka Center is actually used, do they need a commercial stove? I mean, nobody Yes, that was my question. That's why I mean I I would think that I was surprised by that with the fire department, too, and their hood and everything that they had a commercial kitchen in the fire department.

Well, I think it they may not use it as much now, but I think gone going it's going to be used more and obviously a commercial store will tend to last a lot longer. I mean, I I I really don't have an issue with a commercial store. I mean, I know from what we've done in the laws, the commercial stuff does pan out a lot better.

Last I do believe what Millet was saying, and that's not a spray in Mil 2 or three years old. See if we can get it fixed. I think we need it's well it's it's 9 years old or not 10 2004 2004 11 years old. So, it's 11 years old. I mean, it's a commercial range should that was used as little as that should last longer than that. But I I think if somebody can get in there, if somebody who understands the whole um repair world and so on, gets in and starts asking people, I think we could find somebody that could get get in there and give us an estimate. Um and if if not, then we'd have to fall back on a new stove. Um

I think 15 not going to do that. All right. Well, he was he was he was asked. I was I didn't catch I didn't think his uh response was super committed. No, it was I agree with the 15. I mean, uh, and I would I would go as much as 2,000 to make sure there was enough in there for installation, but, um, that gives almost that gives over 50% of the cost of the stove towards installation. If if installation costs that much, it's pretty bad.

Yep. I agree. Certainly changing our recommendation. One thing we want to remember is we're not raising any of this money. understand we've raised already paid for it but we are just transferring it so yeah and anything that's not used will come back

will come back right the Eureka center has raised all this money and I mean if they used if they used 1 1500 of the 3,000 that we originally recommended and they was looking for the floor situation and it comes their way over that they obviously ain't going to do it this year so I mean I I would

I just would like to see them do something every year they put a capital project in and we approve it and it goes nowhere where and then well no two years ago they actually did they because that that was when they were put did

they they finally brought the deal the tables and the chairs. Yes. Actually the tables we had in here during the uh budget meetings were from there. Yep. But we've done we voted on flooring twice and nothing. It's still I don't think they quite understood that process. So

I think we're going to I it sounds like the communication is getting a little better. Maybe they're going to understand the process of that. So obviously if they use 1,500 they ain't going to get floor in there $1,500. But I mean just remember that we don't want cut short and it's not a raise, it's a transfer. So

So right now the motion on the floor is to uh re recommends $3,000. Um any more discussion on that motion? All in favor of recommending $3,000 raise your hand. Opposed? motion fails. I'll take another if if so I mean that's another one though where they could you know present their case more on the floor and

if if they have a plan and they can use the money then they can they can sit they can ask them to vote to they could put their own motion on the floor change. Yeah. I move that we recommend that they that the we transfer $2,000 from the designated fund balance of Eureka fundraising.

Second capital capital project. Any any further discussion? All in favor. Motion carries. Uh article 12 to uh sorry that was article 12. Article 13 to see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and or appropriate appropriate for Durham Fire and Rescue operating budget. The budget committee and the selectman recommend $292,860

second. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. Article 14 to see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and or appropriate for fire and rescue capital improvement account. Um previously the selectmen have recommended 50,000. The budget committee recommends 40,000. Uh is there a motion?

So move second. Okay. Any discussion? All in favor? I I was going to comment that that I don't know I would not be adverse to joining the budget committee in their recommendation for 40. I I would say that and making a joint recommendation for the 40.

Yeah. Just because they got the the pavement in there and I still have I still have a big thing to chew off on them putting pavement down on that fire department and when on our roads and support condition. So I would say yeah 40 grand I would go with the recommendation of the of the budget committee.

Any other discussion on the motion to raise 50,000? Um well, part of that discussion wasn't was because of the capital and the payment on the fire truck, right? There's there's both. There's the there's the uh we're still paying on the station. were paying on the ladder. And uh they moved the new fire truck from next year to the year after, but pulled in um paving of the of the parking lot, which had been spread out over two years, 2017 and 18, pulled it into one year in 2016 for 40,000. So there was some shuffling around that that alleviated next year 20,000 off next year's by by shifting things around

and then that would also include I know that that there was some discussion about painting and and maintenance at the fire department. Uh that's in a different that's actually in the budget. Now I thought part of this was a matter of whether we were going to pay $33,000 payment or $40,000 payment as well.

And that's in here. We decided on the 33,000. That's article 17. Um the reason we we decided on 17 to go with uh the lower number is we could we couldn't guarantee that uh the town would go with the higher number on 14. So we we felt it was best to stay with the lower number on 17. So uh the motion on four is uh for the selectman to recommend 50,000 on the slide. Any further discussion? All in favor? All opposed? Motion carries.

the town will vote to raise and or appropriate for the fire rescue capital improvement projects. The selectman and budget committee recommend $3,000. This was done on a shotgun vote uh kind of vote on last Thursday night and this would be for the hood and for the cameras. Um at that evening the

selectman present uh decided that uh we would not include the painting as a capital project. I see. And I have a question about that. There is no motion pending. Correct. Yes. I don't believe there is actually. No. When we had the gazebo painted last year, Janet was able to have a work crew come down from the county jail. Is that same option available? Would that be available for painting of a municipal building like the fire station? Could we

I wouldn't know why not. And the question is if they're already busy. It took Janet almost two years to get I mean I don't know. I just I saw the painting quote that was in there for $6,000 and if we could get it done for I mean I

cost of the paint. I don't Yeah, that was just I didn't know if that was something we could even explore. No, but I have connections with Janet, so who knows? I'm not sure how much. Yeah. And I'm not sure how much of it was for labor and how much if it was for the paint. I don't I really don't know how much paint I just asked if it was even something that that was even within the realm of consideration. I would I would think it could be and it would be a matter of somebody uh asking the the lady in charge of the work crews whether it would be possible

cuz we we voted to put it back on their uh the maintenance budget. Yeah. Yeah. And I know they've done I'm just cheap. I'm looking at we can save a couple grand. They've done programs like that and they painted inside of schools and stuff I believe. So I mean

it's still early in the year you know maybe they've got you know. Okay. So, um, there is no motion on the floor yet for article 15. Okay. So, second. Okay. So, the motion is to recommend $3,000 transferring from fire capital improvement fund. Um, any further discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. Wish town meeting you went this fast.

town will vote to raise and or appropriate for the annual loan payment for the fire station. Payment four of five on the refinance. The selectment and budget committee recommends 39,510 being transferred from the fire capital improvement fund.

So moved second. Discussion. All in favor? Motion carries. Mike, will you second on that? market. Actually, I think all all three of them said it. So, I think so, too. So, I'll pick one. Article 17 to see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and or appropriate for the annual bond payment for the Quint ladder fire truck payment two of six. Selectman and budget committee recommend $33,04 transferred from the fire capital improvement fund.

So, move. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I connect that to hit. Motion carries to article 18 to see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and or appropriate for general assistance. Selectman and budget committee recommend $5,000 raising $5,000.

So moved. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. Article 19 to see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and or appropriate for the historical society for restoration of the Union Church. Selectman recommend 10,000 as of our last vote and the budget committee recommends zero raising.

I'm gonna ask the same question again. My understanding at our last vote was that we had two remaining questions. Were they looking to appropriate from the money they already had andor did they have a plan? And I now understand that they're not looking to appropriate and they still don't have a plan.

Correct. And we have denied this in the past be given the absence of of a direction forward. And so I just wondered why we were changing course shall we say or do we want to change course? Yeah, we've still not seen a plan

because we still don't have they haven't even really presented like a we have a ballpark idea that it's going to cost this many thousands of dollars. So we just need to set aside a nest. We've had no seems like the norm is every year from what I understand they ask for 10 grand.

Well, but we haven't given it to them for we haven't even put the article on the warrant for two three years now. And they have what 50 I think they have 56 somewhere around there. They have some money there. They just they don't know what to spend it on.

So well they I think that the scope of the project of the restoration project is I think 56 is probably going to not get it not even get close. And so they're trying to to sock away money, but I think it would be helpful to have

some idea of the direction. Why don't we do the same thing we did with the uh with the town um one where we where we re at this point we recommend zero because of that but we keep the article on the one right in the absence of any information about a particular plan. We're not recommending any funds, but that allows them to come forward and say, "This is what we're hoping to do with it."

Yeah. I don't I don't think originally there was there was a big issue with that Met Connor, but that has come to light. So, I think that's part of it. But yeah, I don't do it that way. Okay. So, I'll move that the selectman recommend zero um at this point due to lack of a

even if we had a you know a report from somebody that's come out and looked at it and said the corner is collapsing something other than just working on something like that. Well, they they have I mean Ben is is a contra as a construction and he's looked at it and he's had other people he has had some people come in and say, "Yeah, we need to do something." But there's nothing as far as really knows or nobody has formally

put forward a plan for what it is we need to do. So, um the motion is that the budget committee and the selectman will raise zero will recommend $0, but we will leave the article on the warrant. Okay. Was there there was a second?

Okay. All in favor? Motion carries. How do you want to word that? Um, I would just say budget committee and selectman or selectman and budget committee recommend raise uh zero dollars raise $0. Just leave it at that. Yeah. And we can explain the recommendation on the floor.

But that will give the uh the historical society the opportunity to make a plea on the town floor. Absolutely. And I'm all for doing the restoration. I just feel like the town y should get some explanation before they spend the money.

Article 20 to see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and or appropriate for parks and recreation. The but the selectman at this point recommend $11,35 transferring $11,35 from designated fund balance. Uh $2,97

from state park fees. $8,398 from recreation fund. $12,97 designated fund balance. Uh $2,97 for state park fees, $10,000 from recreation fund. Does that make sense? This does not make sense. They added they added like $5,000 into that. Let me look at the uh

that wasn't for the the flags and everything. That was for the uh that's that is in there. Yes. Uh not the but yeah for the project over there, right? I thought they just made it the even uh let me see what I've got in here cuz that um what I was picking up they were adding about4 $4,500 into it.

Yeah. Yeah. I was This one did look right to me. They did that generous, huh? I don't think they did offer more. $62. What were they adding? $62. Cuz they they they wanted to add a Was that the line we had added that project to the gazebo and everything?

Oh, here's the here's the issue. So, the selectman originally recommend originally recommended 8,35. No. Oh, and then you added the 3,000. Then we added a three. So, I don't So, their addage wasn't as much as I thought it was. And I wonder if it was

So, they added $3,600 to it basically. No, they they only because we had already added 3500, they actually only added $1,62. So did I get it? Yes. Yes, you did. You You got it because uh because our original was not on the sheet I had. Um I thought it was $4,000 more. So, um, so there's a basically,

so to answer your question, we still have like 10,000 beyond that. Okay. There's basically $5,000 roughly $5,000 that's um supposed to go towards the the flag project. The flag project. I was hoping it was I was thinking it was more, but it wasn't. So,

do we want to I mean, it may be too late. We all got that inquiry today from the the town used to give money to the softball program. The the athletic boosters made a request today. It is not timely. I understand that. Do we want to we have the opportunity now to to either say yes, we can put some money in for the softball program or because there is still money in the recreation fund or we can say we really want to do something, come back next year.

Which I didn't see. So the email is from a Jake Webb. Hello all. I am writing on the behalf of the Athletic Booster Club of Durham. As you know, we are a volunteer run group who runs sports programs for the youth of Durham. We are a nonprofit organization that depends on registration and sponsorship money to buy new equipment. And uh it goes on to mention uh that

they run the most most recently they run the Durham softball. Um they give the number of kids there are 39 kids in softball. Um and they just recently found out that uh we had supported the softball in the past. And um he it came to our attention that the town of Durham used to allocate money to the softball program and continues to do so to Cal Ripken. My feeling is the booster club is more of the town recreation department than either of those have been as they only serve one season for our children. I would like to request that the athletic booster club of Durham be considered for some yearly funds in the amount of 1500 to 2,000 to help offset equipment needs, insurance, and all other incidentals. I would also ask the town of Durham consider allocating us $5,000 this year. I understand this is a large amount, but since taking over softball, I've seen numerous things we need to address so

the kids are getting an equal chance as our neighboring towns. And he goes on and it lists many of the needs. He'd like to expand the field over here and put another ball field in. Broad used to run that broadcast. He wanted to do some repair to the field. Somebody did donuts in the

Calip. I think he still may may do that. Cal Ripken is already we already put money in here for that. So, so his qu he is asking for monies. It's uh definitely last minute uh almost literally. Yeah. Um I I think and it may be too late. I just it came in. We're voting on that article. I just

I kind of like to have a little more information. Well, well, he actually gave quite a he gave a very he gave what we've been asking for everybody else. He gave a very detailed information in the email of what print it. Yeah, sure. That would be good. But um I

where it's so late in the process, one suggestion I would have is to say because it's so late, we can't incorporate it into our suggestions. But if you would like to come to town meeting and put a motion on the and make a plea for extra funds on the floor.

I think that's the way to do it. Yeah. You want to say no to them, you want to say yes. So because we haven't had a chance to put it in front of the budget committee and it would be un for us to the one question we have. Do you want do we want to go with the sele the budget committee's recommendation on this rather than our initial

I mean that gives extra money for the flag. Yeah. And I think it's important that we address the flag issue. Yep. And I would really love if if the funds can be raised and are available, I'd really love to see us actually put the electrical service there so that we can get electricity to the band stand. But

I've always said that, but but I mean and if there's any way possible to do that, I'd love to see that. I would move that the selectman adopt the budget committee's recommendation for article 20. Second. Any further discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. Um, did you got the email as well, Ruth?

I did. I just printed it. Okay. Would you be able to respond back with the selectman's basically our response that it came in too late, but if they if he would like to um bring it to the floor if if he'd like to bring it to the floor, that's always an option and see if the town would support it. Should I um let him know that there is money in the recreation fund that

um I don't know that you necessarily need to do that, but we can we can have that information available on the town floor if if for when the question comes up. He could just watch the recording of this meeting and he would know the answer

and and he can I mean if he asks you specifically is there more is there money in it, you can tell him. You have to tell him pretty much so. Okay. Article 21 to see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and or appropriate for planning board appeals. The selectman and budget committee both recommend 14,1990 transferring $750 from designated fund balance planning and appeals applications and raising 1300 $13,440.

So move second. All in favor? Motion carries. Article 22 to see if the town will vote to appropriate from undesated fund balance $1,297.66 appeals budget to fund unanticipated expenses due to workshops for ordinance review and training.

So move such. Uh any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. You want to put one of those right after the parks and wreck for the $12? Um yeah, typically these are uh in the past we haven't done them in several years. Typically these are the first articles that we get to.

We can move them. Y the um committee made no recommendations. There was no recommendation on that. This is a uh an overexpenditure last year on that line. It's a called a supplemental uh a a a supplemental budget article basically to to make up the difference from last year. So

the other selectman like it like them right next to the regular warrant article. Uh getting them out of the way and then you have your year's warrants articles. Uh, it gives you you can explain it right away and get it get it done with.

That was fun. Okay. So, we'll just and just re number. And do you want me to make one? You want me to make one for the Yeah. So, the other one would be to see if the town will vote to appropriate from undesated fund balance $12 to add to the 2014 parks and recreation budget

uh to fund unanticipated expenses. Okay. I'm lost a little bit here now. I don't have that. No, I was I was It's It's not on here. We needed a second one. This is another This is another supplemental different article. This would be a different article. So,

what number would it be? Well, so are they going to be at the end? No, they're going to be at the beginning. So the first one would be article four, the second one would be article five and then all the other articles would would shift down in accordance.

actually do these. So when I make the mo motions on the other six, 7 8 10 11 12 13 17 18 19 Is it exactly $12? $12 on the parks and record two big that's what I saw in it was 24 that will turn into number one or so article 22 turns into number four.

Okay. Article five is the new addition for the $12 for uh 2014 parks and recreation for 2014 parks and recreation. And we actually need a motion on that. Second. All in favor. Do we want to put a reason for that one or just leave it? Um I'm not uh I'd have to I don't know what the reason is that right off it was

so we'll just end with parks and rec budget. Yeah. So that's a separate article for $12 for $10. Yes. To be applied to 2014's deficit. 2014's park and recreation um uh budget. Yeah, that's why I put the bigger one first. They can they can do the discussing on that one more. Um, so then articles five, what's printed on here? Article 5 through 21 will each be increased by two.

So, article 20, what was 23? Article 24. Was 23. Yeah. to see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and or appropriate for public works. The selectmen recommend 1,31 million 37. Let me try this again. 1,37,000798.

from designated fund balance, 53,364 of that URIP and 731,950 of that auto exercise and raising 252,484. And the budget committee the budget committee has their recommendation which they've already voted on. So second. So it's been moved and seconded. Um

and the budget committee made no recommendation. No, the budget committee had their recommendation is here 1,27,98. this uh I had mentioned and and I actually included that in my numbers that I brought over that we could probably uh cut 6,000 out of the road commissioner between the salary and the other lines. we could cut about $6,000 out of that. So, I would because I just because I said that and stuff like that, I would think that we probably should cut that money. But, um, but the motion on the floor right now is as written.

Right. Right. Any discussion? All in favor on the motion on the floor? All opposed. Okay. Motion fails. I will make a new motion that the we that the selectman recommend 1 million $31,798 uh from the designated fund balance as before and raising $246,484.

Any discussion? All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Article 24 to see if the town will vote to create a public works capital reserve fund, which is now 25. Yes, thank you. Which is now 25. Thank you. uh and appropriate all unexpended

public works operating funds as of year end to annually be transferred into the public works capital reserve fund. Now, as a procedural question, because this was proposed by a member of the budget committee, it can just automatically become a warrant article. Um, we're still in charge of the warrant article, but the warrant articles, but um, I would

I didn't know if there was a more formal process for something to be um, article basic basically that was our their recommendation to us that we put it on as a a warrant article. Okay. And um if article 25 this article 25 passes

uh from here on out any surplus in the public works department would go into capital reserve fund. Right. I would and this was I would put in this this was recommended by the was was it a full was it a vote of the budget committee that actually recommended it? Did they had Okay.

So, I would like it to be more discretionary so that if they have, you know, a year like the Well, obviously this year they have no capital fund, so we're starting out. So, the whole 96,000, but if they had another year where they were turning in almost $100,000 in unused funds, I'd like the selectman to have the discretion to say, "Okay, we're going to put 50,000 or whatever the number is towards capital and we're going to put 50,000 to other things. the town to have that discretion.

Well, yes, I'm sorry. So, so that every year or there to be that discretion every year they they get to have the discussion on whether what to do with it, right? That it's not just uh once it goes in. Yep. Thought that's how it ended up.

I thought I thought you wanted to put all the capital reserves into one. Well, eventually that eventually and we've been wanting to do that, too. It's it's a matter of trying to figure out how to do it because we're already so far down the road the way we are,

right? If we and I I view this as as making it more difficult because we're going to be creating another separate, you know, we it's our money. We saved it. We didn't spent it last year. Get your paws off of it. Well, it'll all be going to the world.

I mean, it's all going to to public works equipment. Absolutely. Yep. So, um, and and that to your point, I guess I don't know how far down the road we have with all the other ones, but why couldn't that be the beginning of it right now?

Well, no, I I think it's great to take that 90,000 put in. I didn't know if so maintain some We're probably going to be using up that whole uh public works capital reserve next year for a new truck. And so, uh, they'll be back down to zero as long as we as long as it doesn't build up too too too high initially. Transferring that over and and fixing that up with a a townwide one won't be as difficult as the other.

It just was a, you know, if we wanted to just a discussion about whether or not we wanted to scratch it, have more control over it. Can we uh so I would put in there that the budget committee recommends that article y and I will take a motion from the selectman whether to recommend this article or not. So move

are you recommending it? Yes. You're recommending it. Okay. Um is there a second? mean don't we don't we I mean I want the this money to go in. I No. So, so that's that's separate on article 26. That's a separate article.

Oh, okay. Right. This one here is just saying going forward. I'll second. Okay. So, at right now, the motion on the floor is to recommend article 26, which would No, sorry, article 25, which going forward would transfer all unexpended public works operating funds into a public works capital.

We would prefer to have their their separate. We would prefer them to have a separate capital reserve. Well, we just that was Oh, that's interesting. I think we need a if we don't recommend this, we need a competing article

or I could split it. Yes, that would be a good split it so that we create the the capital there the capital reserve fund and then and then uh then have the actual whether to annually transfer. Right. Actually, this What's now 26 is actually more in line of what I think we discussed.

But this year, yeah. Yes. This because it wasn't in place last year, we have to have this that one, right? Yeah. So, so if but if if article 24 actually 25 gets voted in, then it makes it more difficult for us down the road to put all the capital reserves under one umbrella. Is that correct?

Yes. Is that what we want or is that I mean so first off I think we may want to split the articles. So the first one will be to see if the town will vote to create a public works capital reserve fund. Yes. And the budget committee definitely recommended that.

Yeah. And I agree with that. So that would be article 25. Now I got to change these numbers. I'm getting confused here. So that I'll reprint it with the right numbers. Yeah. So that I just need to make sure I got the right numbers changed.

So 25 stops at after the word fund. Yep. Okay. All right. And um would you want to withdraw your previous motions and second? Okay. And I'll entertain new motions and seconds. Now that's now this let's make sure we know what this means now.

Yeah. So, article 25 would be to see if the town will vote to create a public works capital reserve fund because we actually have to have the fund to be able to put money in. Right. So, moved. Is there a second? I'll second.

All in favor unless there's Well, if that's what we want, then I'll go for it. I just We got to We got to do We got to do it. We're not ready to do the other. We've got to And we've got to set money aside. So, we're not ready to pull.

We got big funds to pull together. We're not ready to pull the trigger on the townwide one yet. All right. We definitely I think that's a better thing to do, but I think we'll have to do is sit down and see how this 96,000 will probably be gone next year when we ask for a new truck.

Sure. No, no, I hear you. All right. All right. All in favor of article 25. Motion carries. Article 26 will be to see if the town will appropriate all unexpended public works operating funds as of year end to as of year end annual to annually be transferred into the public works capital reserve fund.

That'll be 26. That would be 26. I re number my numbers again. Could you repeat what you said just last to see if the town will vote to appropriate all unexpended public works operating funds as of year end to annually be transferred into the public works capital reserve fund.

Does that make sense? Not really. I would say to automatically appropriate all unexpended because it's not even it doesn't even come up for with the fire department. It doesn't even come up for discussion or vote. just they automatically go.

I'm going to even reward it more than that cuz it's not appropriating. It's transferring right now. To see if Okay, let's see if we can do this slowly so you can get it too. So, so to see if the town will vote to transfer all unexpended public works operating funds each year into the public works capital reserve fund. Did that does that sound

annually is good an expended well as because to see if the see if the town to automatically to automatically transfer all unexpended public works operating funds as of year end into into the public works capital reserve fund. Yes.

What if what about as of each year end? Well, automatically I think covers it instead of just every year end. There you go. I like how that sounds. Okay. So moved and second. We'll we'll wait for you to finish adding it in and read it back.

So what I have is to see if the town will vote to automatically transfer all unexpended public works operating funds as of year end into the public works capital reserve fund. Sounds sounds good. And the budget committee recommends that. And I will take a motion on this from the selectman whether to recommend or not recommend.

We already did. Yeah. It's already been moved and seconded. Oh, it has. Okay. Good. All right. Uh, so it's been moved and second to recommend this. Yes. Okay. Uh, any further discussion? Who was the mover? Who was the second?

I moved it. I second it. Okay. All in all in favor of the motion opposed. Motion passes. All right. Um, article 27 now to see if the town will vote to appropriate budget funds from the calendar year 2014 and transfer these funds into the newly created public works capital reserve fund. And uh,

where'd you get all them words right there? 2 20 the new 27. It was 25. Oh, the new 27. You copy your numbers again. I don't know. 27 was down here. No, that's 27. Used to be 25 at one time. Oh, we moved it by two. Okay.

Yeah. See, we split this one. Guess we split. Oh, yes. Okay. Yeah, I know. I'm running out of time. So, this is a I'll go back and fix my numbers. 27. Yep. Keep going. All right. We numbered all the way down again. So, that means that's going to be an eight.

Okay. So, and um it says the budget committee and selectman recommend $96,466. The budget committee I mean the selectman have not actually voted on this yet. So, um but I will take a motion on this. Yeah, actually it was those budget

why why do we even have money left over? because there w there was I mean and everyone thought I was crazy to reduce that budget by $100,000 and the budget committee put it back and spend it anyway. Well, some of it was uh on labor that we actually underexpended labor and some of it was uh salt actually. We we didn't have to get as much salt. So, um and I

think those are the two major ones. So moved. So moved. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. Yep. Yes. To see what sum of money the V town will vote to raise and appropriate for the annual bond payment of the public works equipment bond. And this would be payment one of 10. Selectman and budget committee recommend $141,524.

So move. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. 29. Same only for the uh public works building bond and budget committee and selectman recommend $91,120 raising it all. So move. Second. All in favor? Motion carries. Article 28

to see what is now uh article 30. There you go. Huh? 28 is now 30, right? All right. Article 30 to see what sum of money the town will appropriate to vote to raise and appropriate for the solid waste. Selectman and budget committee recommend 191,825 transferring 14,38 from the designated fund balance solid waste tags and raising $177,517.

All in favor? Motion carries. Article 31 to see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and or appropriate for telecommunications. The selectment and budget committee both recommend $28,659 transferring it all from franchise fees of the designated fund.

So move second. All in favor. Okay. Article 30. Now that's got different colors because it's different wording. It's the same article worded differently. And the second one you got to put in Durham for the the new thing because I didn't change. Does it make sense to you?

Yes, this is 32. 32. So, there are three different wordings for this. Yes. There's a a green one, a blue one, and then there's the regular one. And there's three different wordings. And whichever one you prefer, I thought we'd go in.

I I I prefer the New Portland one. I know. We would change Newport to Durham, obviously. see if the town will vote to increase in the event. Actually, they're almost exactly. one over the other? No. Then I would move that we accept the one that we typically use, the one in white.

I was supposed to say this. Yeah, it they're all new. They're all new. This is the one that you typically use has the amount in it and I don't know what the amount is. So, I got rid of that. Me and uh Donna talked about it. She said that there was no reason.

Okay. So, but the is the first one the one that we typically use without the amounts in it? It's as close to the Okay. So, I'll still move for the white one. Okay. I second it. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. I will not read the whole ordinance, but to see if the town will vote to amend the town of Durham historic district ordinance to add to the historic district commission membership two associate members. The assoc ordinance will now read. Yes.

And that will be actually 33. somebody second? Second. Yeah. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. as Townways Sand Hill Drive phase 2 as associated with the subdivision plan of Sylvester Woods. Um, do we need to plural on town ways because we're only as a town way maybe?

Sure. Yep. This is this I thought we weren't accepting any more towns. This is in the growth district. So, it is this may be one of the old ones there. No, this is in the growth district. We are allowed to accept roads in the growth growth the southwest bends growth district and but we don't have to approve them. So we uh we've inspected and approved that it's up to up to code and so on and now it's up to the town to decide whether they're

actually the town is going to make that final we'll accept the article as written. Yeah. Yeah. So it's been moved. It's been moved with somebody second. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. Uh before we get down to the cuz the rest of them are pretty much housekeeping articles. We have we still have the uh the petition out there and whether to

add an article in regards to the petition. We do have a uh an opinion from the lawyer. You should have had it in your in your stuff. And so it is I will leave it up to the board whether we put an article out onto this town meeting warrant

would I would suggest that we come back at a regular selectman's meeting and officially determine whether we will put it out for a vote or not at all. So that there is a so there is a clear feeling there's a clear direction from the board which way we're going and that the uh petitioners know what that direction is. So

I I feel like the town should vote on it, but I feel like there should be a public hearing involved. That's what the town will be, right? Because I mean, but that's, you know, it's it's I mean, this could be a whole town meeting by itself, you know, the discussion that could ensue from it, you know. Well, and I I think that the the legal opinion that we have is makes a very good point about the vagueness of it that that it it there are substantial unanswered questions about what what happens with

with a money article. What happens when something gets voted down? You know, we go through the whole process all over again. we're in June and we have zero dollars on, you know, that somebody doesn't accept either the selectman's budget or somebody writes in a number and then that doesn't get voted on by everybody because of the nature of what we're voting on. I have concerns about how that process

to me was no different than the articles you have here. You know, you got to vote yes or no and that's what would you have down on your on your ballot. What happened? Like we get voted down which I understand that I mean

but we've talked about two different articles tonight that neither the selectman nor the budget committee have a specific dollar value recommendation but we're putting it out there so people can make a suggestion on town floor. So are you so people would just be making suggestions in

and the majority would win. I mean if they go in and put $1 and the majority of $1 win if if anybody votes on the floor and puts down 500 hands come up for one, right? But you could get a thousand different Yeah, that's the problem. The problem I have with that is I want the people to have their say and I want to hear what they got to say, but at the same time, the selectmen really need to be responsible in the in the way that

so that there's a number attached to it and there's a definite answer because you can't just go off in the wind with whatever you assume could be a budget. And if the to Sarah's point, if the budget ends up being a dollar and you really need to spend 50,000 and nobody's really talked about what that means,

right, you're in trouble. So there, and some of these warrants are are specific to contracts that the town has entered into the the solid waste. Yeah. That's a contracted amount that we're bound to pay. And if that gets if that's just a should we spend whatever it isund

on solid waste and people are in the ballot booth and they haven't been to town meeting or anything and they say oh no that's too much money for trash pickup. I don't think they we can't pay our contracted. So I think you're saying I don't think they really care about the money as much as they want to have their own they have their right to vote and a lot of them are saying that the town day does not work for them. They want to have be able to go during the day, you know, 7 to 3 or 7 to 7 or whatever. They're coming in and vote and that's all they want to do argue about the moneywise and the amount wise. They want to be able to vote to pay this.

But this is all about the money, right? It's it's it's absolutely all about the money and how how it's how it's determined what we what we're allowed to spend. Um so Ruth had done some research too and I believe it's the town of Mexico has a some sort of process. The one thing town of Mexico has that Durham doesn't is a town charter. The way theirs is written, I'm not sure that they actually have a town meeting per se. I but the articles are put out to a

referendum vote. If the article is more money for more money than last year and the article is voted down, the uh town is allowed to spend the but up to the budget from last year from the previous year. They are also allowed to put put it out one more time. You're they were allowed to put it out twice. So if if one amount got put down, they could try putting out one putting it out one more time. So that's a possibility. I

I'm not adverse to putting to floating the idea out for the town, but I think it needs to be fleshed out more. I think that that as written, there's too many unanswered questions. if there was some explanations about how the process would work if an amount was voted down or or

all of those unanswered questions, then I think that people would be in a better place to make an informed decision on it. But I I think the way that it's written now, would it be so town meeting happens, there's a floor vote that says yes to the budget committee's number, for example, and then 30 days or 45 days later, there's another vote that may say

yes to the selectman's number. And then how does that get reconciled? Are we amending the t the vote on town floor? Are we replacing the vote on town floor? I mean, that's it, too. Are we not taking votes on town floor? So, you should that you should bring up the town on the town floor and ask the town people what they want to do.

If we're going to if we're going to do this, then the people at the town floor are just wasting their day. That that that I disagree with. I think we need to have that hand, which is why a public hearing before you make any votes on this would be a better idea. we need to have these uh things hammered out before we put a vote out. Um that what we were given as a as a petition

was extremely vague and impossible to enforce. Um there's there's nothing there it whatever we put out there would have to be much more structured than what we have also uh would have to be understood from our from understanding with talking with MMA that this would be basically a suggestion because that the board of selectmen without a town charter the board of selectmen have the authority to determine how the town the town votes. Uh not not not the way they vote, but the method of voting

and because we don't have a town charter, right? No, I didn't mean put it out like I just meant I'm I'm all for a discussion about how to get more people involved in the process and how to get more people's input. I think that's,

you know, maybe that's how it goes is maybe we get rid of, but how do we and maybe we don't take a vote, but maybe we have a discussion at town floor saying there has been a petition floated. There's still a lot of unanswered questions. These are some of the issues that have come up. What are people's thoughts on it?

So, how about how about this? Because to be able to discuss something on the town floor, you really are supposed to have an article. What if we put an article about out there to see if the town uh to see if the town would like to explore other options besides the town besides town meeting for determining the budget of the town?

That could be the question right there. That could be public meeting. So that that that gives that gives us clear indication from the floor whether they want to explore other options. then we can explore them and we can have public hearings. Maybe PE I would really hope that people that um put the petition out would show up here and kind of explain what they how they were thinking it could work because the one person I talked to told me you decide you it's up to you to determine and that that's really kind of unfair. If you're putting a a petition out there, you should have an idea of how you want it,

right? To work. I agree with and I it's not you know that was what I was going to say and even I was going to say is there an opportunity to take some kind of just a straw pole vote on the town floor but but I basically that's what we're doing. So

So I mean we can bring we can bring the petition that was signed to the town floor and say this is what was presented to the board of selectmen. Um, and we would like to see if the town does the town want us to It's basically a straw to see if they want to actually look at that. We could have some

some meetings, you know, public meetings on it. Yep. We could set up a we could set up a committee to look at thing look at options how it could be done. Um, the only thing just to keep in mind is that the people that are asking for this petition are the people that are saying that they can't make it to town meetings. So, we're having a vote on this,

that's the way it rolls. That's the way it goes. It is. It is the way that we do business right now. Absolutely. I think that that having a general a townwide discussion on how best to proceed makes the most sense. I I think you're going to find the same result because it's one day a year. You know, every year Christmas is coming on the same day. You know, every year the town meets going on the same day and what happens if it's that important to you, you're going to make the point to be there.

What was that going to make? So, it's this will be article 35. Number Article 35. And do you did you get the wording I had or do I need to say? They have to see if the town will to see to see if the town will authorize the selectman to look into other means

exploration. Yeah. Yeah. Exploration of other means of voting in the town budget. Yeah. So now the old 35 which was the new 35 is now 36. Yes. Okay. okay. So, see if the town will authorize the selectman to explore other means of voting in the town budget.

Y does that does that that seems Yep. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. All right. Uh, moved and seconded. And if we could um at least let the uh the petitioner petitioner the one that turned in the petitioner know that this is the action we're taking at this point and that it will be on the on the warrant so that uh that person and others that signed can show up if they desire

and I feel better about doing it that way and having a discussion. They they did the work. They got the signatures. I didn't want to just not and that's it is I mean we need to have more than 100 people deciding on a $4 and half million dollar budget you know.

Well you'd like to have but it seems to not be that way. So I mean maybe this replaces town meeting you know and but but that's it is we need to have a a method in place for what happens if if an article gets voted down. I mean we've seen we just went through the budget process. We know what's going to happen if any of those lines don't get funded.

For this to completely work. We're going to need to go to a town charter. Right. and and then everything would be spelled out in the town charter exactly how it would work, right? And my fear of doing it that way without a lot of research is people are going to be voting on something without having information and that's where the information comes from.

My fear is all right. So, um, if it would please the board, I would like to take articles the new article 36 up through 45. These are housekeeping articles. Yeah. And vote them in all at once. I moved. So moved. Beat me to the punch.

Second. All right. It's been moved and seconded. Are there any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. Uh was there there wasn't anything else that we needed to do tonight? This was this was the only thing Well, the only thing is I wanted to ask you guys about the um animal control article. Okay,

we can do that in a second. Yep. So, let me print you guys all up a new copy so you can look it over and see what where we are and if I mean you mean what you're going to put in the paper. Yes. Yes. Because I got a quote back.

Yeah. You told um on what I had written. Yeah. And it was over $300. Um so what I would like to do is hold on let me Sun Journal. Yes. Just unreal. Yeah. They advertising prices are crazy. I put one little ad this big in for one day. It cost us $136.

Unreal. Yeah. So, um let's see here. Go ahead. I wanted to cut it down to let's see here. Dog catcher one. I know I had that. Um let's see. We could do uh town of Derma seeking qualified applicants for part-time position of animal control officer. Complete jobs description and employment application are available on the web at the town office or by calling blah blah blah. Completed applications must be submitted by no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 20th. They can call I mean the phone number's there.

That sounds as much as you guys want? Town of Durham is seeking applicants for animal control officer more information available at or for more information seeking okay yes okay so the town of Durham is seeking do we even want qualified applicants just

yeah I think we really qualified yes we want qualified applicants but no we we may not want the word qualified in we can pick up the qualified ones okay I'll goong for animal control officer. Donna durm seeks animal control officer,

we can do that if information. So is I wonder as long as our application notes that we're equal opportunity employer, does that cover us? I I I have a qu because I I see this in every ad. Yeah. Yeah. Equal opportunity employer

and I I just don't know whether we have to have that. Write EEO. Yes, you can. Equal EEO employer. Equal opportunity. Ee that's that's acceptable. Durm is an ee 207 because if they're not in state, we don't want even need to have the date because this will only run for two Sundays. Do do we want to extend the date any further where we're we're a little bit later getting it?

Yeah, I was going to say maybe because we're later getting it in we thought. Put it put it out seven days. Yeah. Well, we've already gotten a couple. Do we put the whole listing on MMA? Okay. So So it's been out in other places. I'm excited.

Okay. So it's been out on other places, so the the date probably is okay then. Okay. We got a couple applicants already. Uh I have one that's interested. He he wanted to me to answer a couple questions for him, but he seemed like a

an interesting applicant and uh I still haven't called the guy from Panel yet just to let him know. You did. Okay. Okay, then I won't. So, Town of Durham seeks animal control officer. For more information, call 3532561 extension 10 or should I put email too?

What's your cell phone? No way. Yeah. Equal or email us and then E O E O E E E equal opportunity employer. We have to put that on there. Not just EOE. DURM is an EOE. Just kind of Can we just write EOE? EOE is good. Yeah.

E I E I O. It is animal control. I could be a farm involved. The town of Sarm the town of Durham seeks animal control officer for more info. Call our number my extension EOE. Awesome. Sounds good. That should cut it down to like 50 bucks hopefully.

Okay. Better than 300 something for sure. That'll blow our budget completely. Pretty much. Okay. Okay. So, let me go get my printed. Uh well, she she's she's grabbing the uh if you want to glance through the warrant warrant before we leave.

That's right. that first page thing. What the first page say? You'll see it in a second. Okay. Thank you. And you guys should peruse this and make sure I didn't mess the thing up. And check my numbers, too, because my numbers kept changing.

Yeah, the numbers didn't think I was in subject to change. This looks like uh like you have edits on. Is that what it is? Yeah, I was going to say hide comments or you know how to fix that? Uh that's strange that it's only on the first page, but

okay. So five is when we changed that. Six was that. No, five is now seven. Okay. catching up here now. Making sure snow's here. Is it? Let's just get like four to be a little bit 4 to 6. Yeah. Yeah. Last night I heard a

blizzard for the weekend, but then this morning, this morning they said mostly cloudy, so I don't know. A mostly cloudy blizzard. That was just Sean whispering blizzard. And I don't work there anymore. Rubbing it in for us.

Nice. Is he coming to town meeting? Does he get out of that? That's not fair. That's not fair. Listen on the trail. Take it easy. Yeah, it looks okay to me. I don't get voted in. I'm not coming either. You want me to print out a clean copy for you guys to sign?

Oh, they were all Yes, please. I know someone's Did this have the signature place? Uh, I didn't print the signature page out. Okay. So, yes, if it page, so is that correct? We ended up with 46. 46. Yes. I got 45. How'd that happen?

I don't even want to try my account. Because 36 35 36 So we added one in here and Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. I Okay, that's why. So when split one not that. Okay. So she's coming with the warrant to sign. So go you can go ahead and make the motion if you want.

Second. Any discussion? All in favor? Yeah, let's discuss that. Let's discuss that. You know, turn off. Yes. Then she's doing something else. You know, I'd really like to sit here all night and you would pass over. Yeah.

Well, if you're going to do that, I'm going to leave the TV on so I can keep checking to see if you're still here. We should do like a football game over past meetings. And isn't that called or spying? Oh, no. It used to be all night, right?

Yeah. I'll open up a phone book and start reading from it or something. We are journed. Just have to wait to sign. So, no mittens for you yet, Mark. With It's a sweater. I think these would be too big. Every time I see that kid wear them, I say,