Office of the Select Board
Town of Orange, New Hampshire
Minutes of January 15, 2013
Work session on the proposed 2013 budget
Present: Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs, Betty Fulton, Bob Ells, and Sandi Pierson (clerical).
Others present: Budget Committee members Bob Proulx, Skip Smith, and Tim Connelly; Judith Lindahl, Bill Fulton, George White, Scott Sanborn, Brent Stevens, and Tessa Michetti.
Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM.
The Board signed an A-5 Land Use Change Tax Warrant for John Tylawsky/Burnt Hill Road.
Budget discussion:
The Board and the Budget Committee reviewed the line items expenditures for 2012 and discussed allocations for 2013. Handouts included the MS-7 (in progress), the officer salaries for 2012, capital reserve estimated balances, and the itemized 2012 expenditures by category. The MS-7 showed that the operating budget for 2012 was set at $216,402.00 of which the town spent $199,411.46.
Capital reserves and revenue: The Board and Budget Committee reviewed the 2012 approved appropriations to the capital reserve funds. Recommendations for 2013 will be discussed at the January 22nd meeting. It was noted, however, that the acquisition of a fireproof cabinet to house historical records was approved in 2012 but was not purchased. It was agreed this will be revisited.
The sources of revenue received by the town in 2012 were reviewed.
Tax Anticipation Note (TAN): Tessa Michetti asked if the TAN expenditure should be included in the operating budget since it comes out of the budget. She said the TAN expense in 2012 was about $2000. Bob said that in the past the TAN expense was much lower. It was thought that a larger line of credit had been necessary because of the sizeable school payments during 2012 and the fact that many established annual payments were made in March instead of December. Tessa asked if it was possible to “borrow” from the town’s FEMA money in anticipation of taxes instead of a line of credit from the bank. Skip said he highly doubted this would be permissible [statutorily]. It was affirmed that bi-annual tax billing was not feasible.
Town property: Bob Proulx noted that a few people have spoken about the town exploring the possibility of acquiring the nearby home owned by Thom Rock and Jim Biernat. This was formerly a church and is currently on the market. Bob said that ideas were tossed around about it housing the town clerk’s and Selectmen’s offices.
Upcoming meetings: After discussion, it was agreed that the Budget Committee will hold the joint meeting with the Board as part of the regular January 22, 2013 Select Board meeting. The Budget Committee public hearing will be scheduled for Wednesday, February 13, 2013.
Meeting adjourned 8:15 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Sandi Pierson
______________________ ______________________ ______________________
Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs Betty Fulton Robert Ells
