2021-01-19 Commissioners Meeting

VILLAGE DISTRICT OF EIDELWEISS

Commissioners Meeting

Tuesday January 19th, 2021

The Board of Commissioners met by phone at 9:00 am on Tuesday January 19th, 2021.

In attendance were Commissioners Jay Buckley (JB), Kathy Koziell (KK) and Paula Doyle (PD).  Donna MacKinnon (DM) was in attendance but was attending to other business in the office.  The meeting was recorded (audio).                              

At 9:03 am Commissioner JB calls the meeting to order.   

1. Agenda

There was no formal agenda because the meeting was called for one primary purpose to discuss the 2021 budget draft.  

2.  2021 Budget

Spreadsheet discussed was sent out by KK on Saturday 1/16 labeled as Version 4.  KK explains that the blue column shows the difference between what was actually spent in 2020 (recorded to date) and the proposed 2021 budget.

Under administration discussion that salary line higher due to fact that 2020 had gaps in having one of the part time administrators employed.  Discussion that this number could also be impacted based on proposal from current Administrator to go full-time.  BOC agreed that a non-public meeting on employment hiring should be convened at the end of this session to discuss.  JB suggested adding more to salaries to cover potential costs of additional part time hours to fulfill 91A requests based on one in particular which was significant in 2020 and has taken many many hours to fill (and still working on).  KK and PD disagreed stating that this might be a one time request and should not assume will happen in 2021.

PD discusses need to explain why legal costs higher than budget in 2020.

JB brought up review of budget vs. actual in 2020 for warrant articles as detailed at bottom of spreadsheet.  Tight Tank came in slightly over budget with difference taken from operating budget.  Summit Electrical, DPW1 Electrical and Chocorua Pumphouse articles all came in significantly below budget totaling $61K less – this money was not raised in taxation as the intention was to borrow it with line of credit.  That will now not be necessary.  New truck came in at $101K, $7K less than appropriated amount of $108K.  Difference will be returned to bank in form of payment against principle.  Savings to date on Bergdorf Culvert of $2K has been encumbered as has the $5000 not spent yet on the Eidelweiss Drive project (which is not on the spreadsheet but will be added).   Discussion that more detail should be presented on the Reinach Tank project as recommended by Dinah Reiss at prior meeting. KK to prepare a powerpoint slide to include in presentation.

Discussion moved back to operating budget.  Need to confirm correct salary numbers based on projected hours for 2021.   Discussion on whether legal should be higher than budgeted last year due to high legal costs in 2020 but agreed to keep same budget as prior year not anticipating higher legal costs again in 2021.

KK pointed out detail on increases from 2020 budget also at end of spreadsheet including significantly those for new loan payments (Reinach Tank plus truck less Jungfrau), increases in health insurances, engineer, gravel and bldgs/grounds (for new heater in DPW building).

Discussion on salaries for DPW based on amount anticipated for increases in 2021.  PD agreed to recalculate and provide for next draft. 

KK recommended that we finalize budget at Thursday meeting for posting on website this coming Friday in anticipation for budget hearing next week. 

PD to update powerpoint with final warrant language.

KK noted that water budget for 2021 is lower than approved budget for 2020.

3.  Non-Public

Jay Buckley makes a motion at 9:40 AM to go into Non-Public for RSA 91-A:3, II (b).  Kathy Koziell seconded.  Motion Passed 3-0.

Jay Buckley makes a motion to come out of Non-Public meeting under RSA 91-A:3, II (b) and return to Public meeting at 10:01 AM.  Kathy Koziell seconded.  Motion Passed 3-0.

During Non-Public meeting, BOC agreed to schedule a non-public meeting with Donna MacKinnon on Thursday 1/21/21 to discuss her proposal.

During Non-Public, Commissioners approved a motion to seal the minutes of the Non-Public meeting.

4. Adjournment

Jay Buckley makes a motion to adjourn the Public Meeting at 10:01 AM.  Kathy Koziell seconded.  Motion Passed 3-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Paula Doyle

Commissioner