Budget Public Hearing

Members present: Brad Reed, Eric Osgood, Blaine Delisle, Howard Romero, Rosemary Audibert, Clerk.

Eric called meeting to order

Sheriff Roger Marcoux presented a side presentation on the sheriff's budget for 2003-2004 with stats for 2002.

Mike Patch stated that he has received figures from the State Police on 5 full time officers. State Police can't go this now; they are 30 officers short now. Would like to set up a committee to study this. What the three towns should do, what are the options, can this be a joint effort with the state police. State costs are 104 per person; Sheriff costs are 140 per person. Should go to the legislature to see if they would do a 50/50 program. Don't what to lower the standards that we have now. Total difference is $98,000.00.

Roger stated that are here to serve the people, need to make sure proposal is apples to apples. Sheriff department has 24 hour coverage. State police is only from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. after that have to pay over time, police have to be called out.

Mike stated that the cost per officer is $66,000.00.

Roger stated that these would be new officers right out of training. Sheriff department offices have an average of 10 to 15 years experience.

Mike stated that the State has not made an offer.

Roger stated that dispatchers know the county because they live in the county. State troopers would not live in the community. Does make good sense to look into what make sense.

Mike stated that could negotiate the union contract for time after 2:30 a.m. Roger does his best to keep the cost down, Roger is high on overhead cost, like on insurance. State has a higher buy power than one sheriff department.

Roger stated that his year didn't apply for the cops grants because will have to pay for this in the later years trying to keep cost down. State police don't have the personal touch. Time between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. will be billed to the town at overtime rates. State police are 45 officers short now, have talk with them and would be very difficult for them to take over. State police have not been in this county to do any drug work.

Dean West stated that State Police made a proposal several years ago and had several concerns about coverage. When there is not an officer on duty one would have to come from Colchester.

Question asked about the Lamoille Ambulance contract. Brad stated that still working on finalizing the contract. To have two ambulances, crew will be 24/7 for emergency calls. Base is to be in Johnson. They will cover the 5 towns. To hire 4 paramedics the others will be EMT or EMTI. Attorneys are working on the contract. Have received a lot of application for employment. Will try to hire local people. The day to day manager will come down from Newport. Cost of the contract is $189,000. They have to furnish the building, etc. Chris Pospeck asked about having a volunteer service, do it ourselves, have the facilities next door. Frank Dodge stated that the cost would be prohibitive is cheaper to contract out. Howard stated that the volunteers don't existence, don't have the population. Question asked about what happens when the crew is on a Copley critical care unit and an emergency call comes in does a crew from Newport come down. The five boards made the decision to go with Newport Ambulance the voters do not vote on this. Brad stated that either party can break the contract with a six month notice if it is not working out. Lamoille Ambulance stated that they would keep a crew around in case of an emergency.

Frank Dodge asked is the winter budget over spent. Blaine stated that it depends on what the mud season is like, have cut back on some sanding.

Chris Pospeck stated that are using too much salt on Clark Avenue. Blaine stated that street doesn't have too much traffic, try to cut down on the sanding so that there is less dust in the spring.

Frank Dodge stated that ledge is showing up on the roads; need to put down 12 to 15 inches on gravel. Board stated that have a slight increase in the summer road budget from $90,000.00 to $102,500.00. Trying to put down 10,000 yards of gravel down each year.

Question asked about the bridges. Board stated not pushing for the Pearl Street Bridge now as this may jeopardize the funding for the Railroad Street Bridge for construction next year, this has been on the State list since 1990 and according to the State is in worst condition. Howard stated that the Town does have concerns about the safety of the rails on the Pearl Street Bridge. Blaine stated that the Railroad Street Bridge is in the Historical Bridge Program and the state pays for the maintenance on that bridge. Hoping to get some grant money to make repairs to the Pearl Street Bridge. State doesn't have enough money to fund all the bridges that need repairs.

Eric stated that the Board made radical changes in the budget format this year. The bottom line is the same; budget has much more detail in it.

Blaine stated that the Hoag ambulance crew has done an excellent job. Demanded a lot of money all at once. Went about it in the wrong way.

Daryl West asked about the new administrator. Board stated that Duncan has done an excellent job. Has done grant work, and highway grant work, etc. Duncan is an excellent source of information.

Brad moved to go into executive session at 8:50 p.m. for a legal issue, Howard seconded, so voted. Board came out of executive session at 8:55 p.m.

Brad moved to adjourn, Howard seconded, so voted.

Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by

Rosemary Audibert, Clerk