Town of Derry
Town Council Meeting	April 17, 2008
Derry Municipal Center	Thursday 7:00 p.m.
Staff Present: George Sioras, Elizabeth Robichard, Barbara Ellingwood, Chris Martin, Margaret Ives-DPL Trustee, Cheryl Lynch DPL-Director, Linda Merrill TL-Dir, Ed Cianco – TL Trustee Finance -Frank Childs, Janice Mobsby and Mark Fleischer Town Administrator Stenhouse and Town Clerk Denise Neale-recording Roll Call: Chairman Metts, Councilors Benson, Chirichiello, and Wetherbee, Coyle and Fairbanks Carney 7:05 p.m. Notice of Fire Exits & Handicap Access, turn off cell phones and pagers BUDGET REVIEW Planning George Sioras gave his overview and is requesting to update the Master Plan. The Southern NH Regional Planning Commission can do this update for $50,000. In light of the Town’s objective for Economic Development, this is a good time to update it. Our present Master Plan is outdated. Chairman Metts, questioned line item 330 Councilor Coyle feels the $50,000 is a lot at this time and there is no legal basis for this under the RSA’s. Councilor Benson questioned the total cost of $50,000 and how long it would take. Councilor Carney asked if he could start the process with $25,000. Councilor Chirichiello feel this is important to the Town. Councilor Benson asked if some of this could be done in-house. Moved by – Councilor Coyle to reduce $25,000 from line item 330, seconded by Councilor Carney. Vote: 7-0-0 Councilor Carney moved the Planning bottom line of $267,460, seconded by Councilor Benson Vote: 7-0-0 Cable Barbara Ellingwood introduced Chris Martin, Dave Minkle (Coordinator for Derry School District) Councilor Chirichiello noted that this is an Enterprise Fund and this has no impact on Tax Rate. Councilor Chirichiello moved the Cable bottom line of $212,459 seconded by Councilor Coyle. Vote: 7-0-0 Derry Public Library Margaret Ives gave an overview of the budget and stated that the recommended bottom line budget from the Trustees $1,302,806 with some of this offset by their revenue. What we are asking from the Town is $1,254,161 using $48,645 of revenue and the Town Administrator’s bottom line budget to $1,260,658. That is from the Town $1,212,013. He has eliminated the $15,000 Capital Reserve line and amount for the old windows of $27,148. There are two things that are being highlighted: one is personnel and the Capital Improvement plan for the windows. Cheryl Lynch gave and explanation of the condition of the window and mold. She has received an estimate to replace these windows and remove the mold. Chairman Metts, Councilor Carney, Councilor Coyle addressed the personnel budget. There was some confusion regarding the positions and titles of the staff. Moved by - Councilor Coyle to decrease the Vacant Position including roll up costs of $22,382, seconded by Councilor Fairbanks. Vote: 6-1-0 (Wetherbee) Councilor Chirichiello questioned the increase in line item 291 Training. Cheryl Lynch explained that they were transitioning to a new service; the old service is no longer available. Councilor Carney requested a discussion at a later date with the Town Administrator regarding the many IT departments within Town. Councilor Chirichiello questioned the increase in line item 390. Cheryl Lynch answered that the cost of the interpreter and other program services has risen. Councilor Chirichiello asked for clarification on line item 430. Councilor Coyle gave an explanation of his understanding of line item 720 for the windows. However he would like to move the $100,000 and set it aside in a Town department budget. Moved by – Councilor Coyle to move line item 720, $100,000 from the Derry Public Library to Building and Grounds line item 720, seconded by Councilor Carney. Vote: 7-0-0 The preceding vote decrease the bottom-line budget for Other Municipal Obligations and increases the budget for Buildings & Grounds. Margaret Ives asked if the DPL Board of Trustee would retain control of this amount. The Town Administrator stated that we would work together and make this happen. Councilor Coyle moved the bottom line for the Derry Public Library in the net amount of: $1,089,631, based on expenditures of $1,138,276, net of use of fund balance of $9,865 and various revenues of $38,780 and to reflect this net amount in the Finance Department-Other Municipal Obligations –DPL budget line; seconded by Councilor Carney. Vote: 7-0-0 Taylor Library Linda Merrill gave a listed of the programs offered and amount of patron the library serves. Linda explained that they sometime need to turn people away from programs due to the Fire Safety limits of the building. Councilor Coyle moved the bottom line for the Taylor Library in the net amount of: $177,713 based on expenditures of $182,913, net of use of fund balance of $1500 and various revenues of $3700 and to reflect this net amount in the Finance Department-Other Municipal Obligations-Taylor Library budget line. Vote: 6-0-1 (Metts) Town Clerk/Elections Councilor Coyle moved the Town Clerk bottom line of $90,970 and the Elections bottom line of $60,921 seconded by Councilor Chirichiello. Vote: 7-0-0 Town Administrator Stenhouse stated that the final billing from Primex was received for the FY09 property and liability coverage. The following changes are being made to the budget. Other Municipal Obligation –reduce line item 480 – Property Insurance by $30,201 the new bottom line is $3, 614,514 moved by Councilor Chirichiello seconded by Councilor Carney. Vote: 7-0-0 Wastewater – reduce line item 480-Property Insurance by $4,770 the new bottom line is $2,287,656 and reduces Revenue Account 039399-Use of Fund Balance by $4,770 moved by Councilor Coyle seconded by Councilor Chirichiello Vote: 7-0-0 Water – Reduce line item 480-Property Insurance by $3,256 the new bottom line is $2,459,415 and reduces Revenue Account 039399-Use of Fund Balance by $3,256 moved by Councilor Carney seconded by Councilor Chirichiello. Vote: 7-0-0 Packets were handed out for all of the information that has been flagged since 4/8/08. Non-Public on 4/22/2008 at 6:30 p.m. Public Hearing on Budget & CIP is 4/22/08 at 7:00 p.m. Budget Review for follow up on 4/24/08 at 7:00 p.m. Adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Recording Clerk- Denise Neale