Town of Lunenburg

Town of Lunenburg

Annual Town MeetingMay 3, 2008

Special Town Meeting-Article 1

FY2008 Budget Adjustment & Supplemental Appropriation Article

Major Components: Snow & Ice Deficit- $210,000 Legal Expenses- $42,280 Funding for Ritter Memorial Library

Renovation

Special Town Meeting-Article 1 Transfer from:

Line: From:

4 Liability Insurance (31,000.00)$ 5 Workers Compensation (8,483.00)$ 6 Group Health Insurance (21,492.00)$

13 Reserve Fund (79,495.00)$ 23 CAFO Expense (17,230.00)$

25A Bond Issuance Costs (9,000.00)$ 40 Central Purchasing (14,200.00)$ 52 Wiring Inspector (5,737.00)$ 62 Highway Labor (13,868.00)$ 64 General Highway Maintenance (17,825.00)$ 68 Facilities & Grounds (13,768.00)$

68A Capital, Facilities & Grounds (27,239.00)$

Free Cash (Appropriation) (89,236.00)$ Article 9, May 12, 2001 ATM (27,370.33)$ Article 10, May 6, 2006 ATM (19,375.00)$ Proceeds of 950 Mass Ave Sale (83,755.00)$

Total: (479,073.33)$

Special Town Meeting-Article 1 Transfer to:

Line: To:3 Interest- Temporary Loans 4,000.00$ 14 Unemployment Expense 9,250.00$ 31 Technology Director 2,907.00$ 32 Legal Expenses 42,280.00$ 42 Police Lock Up 12,700.00$ 43 Injury Leave 8,500.00$ 45 Vehicle Maintenance- Police 20,000.00$ 46 Fire Department 10,625.00$ 50 Vehicle Maintenance- Fire 8,000.00$ 53 Building Inspector 1,011.00$ 63 Highway Labor- Overtime 5,000.00$ 65 Town Highway Garage 5,700.00$ 66 Traffic Signs & Devices 2,500.00$ 73 Snow Removal Expense 210,000.00$ 75 Veterans' Benefits 6,100.00$

68A Capital, Facilities & Grounds 130,500.33$

Total: 479,073.33$

Special Town Meeting-Article 1- Ritter Renovations

In March 2008, the Board of Selectmen authorized CAFO to proceed with plans for the conversion of Ritter Memorial Library into Municipal Office Space

Based upon work flow & primary office interaction, it was decided that the best use of the space was for Land Use Related Department.


Planning Building Inspection Conservation Board of Health Zoning Board of Appeals Sewer (potential)

Special Town Meeting-Article 1- Ritter Renovations Plan alleviates overcrowding at Town Hall &

Brooks House Centralizes Land Use Offices for convenience

of the public 695 square feet of additional meeting space- 2

rooms A copy of the proposed layout is included in

the handouts Project funded through a combination of

existing funds and re-appropriation of unused capital funds. NO NEW MONEY Requested


Uses:

ElevatorSite Work 1,000.00$ EquipmentShaft 10,000.00$ brick veneers, cutting of granite foundation and existing brick walls,

masonry block wall to above grade & poured concrete floorShaft Roof 5,000.00$ Labor & MaterialsChair Lift 30,000.00$ Labor & Materials

sub-total: 46,000.00$

Interior Work:Mold Remediation 5,000.00$ Framing 4,000.00$ & installation of underlayment over old VCT tiles for direct gule carpetHang & Plaster Walls 7,000.00$ Studs & Tracks 1,000.00$ Interior Doors & Moldings 2,000.00$ Carpet Installation 15,000.00$ Electrical 13,000.00$ Painting 25,000.00$ Cable, Internet & Telephones 25,000.00$

sub-total: 97,000.00$

Miscellaneous:Trash Removal 1,000.00$ Rug Removal 500.00$ Glass Service 1,000.00$

sub-total: 2,500.00$

Total: 145,500.00$


Request for $30,000 appropriation for expenses of the Regional School District Planning Committee


Request for appropriation from Free Cash to make payment on a legal bill received in FY2008 for services rendered in FY2007

$5,323.00

Special Town Meeting-Article 4 Request for funding for Public Safety

Telecommunications Unit, Teamsters Local #170 (Dispatchers)

New Contract includes: Increasing number of steps from 2 to 4 3% COLA per year Increase in shift differential rate of $0.05/

hour Increase in Uniform Allowance of $50/year


Total Contract Costs of Prior Year FY2008 = $5,441 FY2009 = $4,815 FY2010 = $7,278

Article 1- Hear Town Reports

Master Plan Review

Article 2- AFSCME (Clerical) Contract

Pass Over

No agreement reached at this time

Article 3- IBPO (Police)Contract

Pass Over


Article 4- PFFM (Firefighters) Contract

Pass Over


Article 5- Salary Administration Plan

2% COLA recommended by the Personnel Committee

Last COLA authorized in FY2005 Salary Administration Plan covers

14 regular (FT or PT) employees plus all call Firefighters

Cost impact = $10,500

Article 6- Authorize BOS to increase PAYT fees


The Town operates a PAYT Program, including recycling, through a private hauler

3,200 of 3,800 household participate Program is funded through bag sales & a

General Fund Appropriation General Fund appropriation $80K

(included in Omnibus Budget- Article 7) Bag fees will be raised $0.50/ bag


Based upon current cost and program usage, it is necessary to raise bag fees $0.50 to:

$1.50 per small bag $2.50 per large bag

Article 7- FY2009 Budget

Balanced, providing a level of service which is comparable to the level of service currently provided.

Higher, more comprehensive level of service in Technology

Higher, more comprehensive level of service in Education

FY2009 Recommendation Funding to cover all contractual salary

increases Funding to cover all salary increases

due SAP employees Balanced budget proposal is based

upon use of recurring revenues for operating costs, meaning there is NO request for a draw on either Free Cash or the Stabilization Fund

Non-recurring revenues are set aside for one-time, capital purchases

FY2009- Revenue Estimates

Sources of Revenue Property Tax State Aid/ Cherry Sheet Local Receipts Available Funds

FY2009- Revenue Estimates

FY2009 Projected Revenues

State Aid24%

Local Receipts9%

Available Funds7%

Property Tax60%

Property Tax State Aid Local Receipts Available Funds

FY2009 Revenue Estimates

Property Tax Base= $15,368,583 2 ½% Increase= $ 384,215 New Growth= $ 175,000 Debt Exclusion= $ 1,024,784

Total= $16,952,582

FY2009 Revenue Estimates New Growth

N e w G ro w th R e v e n u e F Y2 0 0 0 - 2 0 0 9

$-

$50,000

$100,000

$150,000

$200,000

$250,000

$300,000

$350,000

$400,000

$450,000

$500,000

FY2009 Revenue Estimates State Aid/ Cherry Sheet

Education Aid Chapter 70 Charter School Assessment Reimbursement

General Government Aid Lottery Reimbursements for Quinn Bill & Property Tax

Exemptions Library State Owned Land (PILOT)

FY2009 Revenue Estimates State Aid/ Cherry Sheet

Leadership announces local aid resolution Tuesday, March 11 2008 House and Senate leadership announced yesterday that they have reached agreement on local aid amounts for fiscal 2009, proposing a 4.4 percent increase in the three major categories: Chapter 70 school funding, Lottery aid, and Additional Assistance.

$6,586,064, over 4.6% increase over FY2008

FY2009 Revenue Estimates Local Receipts

Motor Vehicle Excise Tax, licenses, permits, fees, fines, investment income

Elastic Revenues- very dependant upon the economy

MVX is the largest component; first indication of what is happening is through Commitment #1, issued in February

Commitment was flat (good news!)


Local Receipts Ambulance Receipts Building Permit Revenue Investment Income

Overall Projection is a modest increase of $45,000 or 1.87%

FY2009 Revenue Estimates Available Funds

Catch All Category Some one-time revenues, causing a wide

variance from year to year

SBA Reimbursement - $586,561 Lower than prior years due to audit completion

Sewer Betterments Fully fund associated debt service & related costs

Sewer Enterprise Fund to fund Indirect Costs


FY2006 FY2007 FY2008 FY2009 FY2009

Actual Actual Appropriated Budget Budget DifferenceRevenue CAFO FinCom

Property Tax 15,291,369$ 15,601,378$ 16,177,531$ 16,952,582$ 16,952,582$ 775,051$ State Aid 5,370,530$ 5,913,294$ 6,296,172$ 6,586,064$ 6,586,064$ 289,892$ Local Receipts 2,723,428$ 2,555,743$ 2,403,600$ 2,418,600$ 2,418,600$ 15,000$ Available Funds 547,332$ 3,060,677$ 3,264,005$ 1,758,213$ 2,020,180$ (1,505,792)$

total: 23,932,659$ 27,131,091$ 28,141,308$ 27,715,459$ 27,977,426$ (425,849)$

FY2009 Expenditures

Expenditures are divided into: Functional Categories (Omnibus Budget) Non-Appropriated Costs Sewer Enterprise Fund (self supporting) Water Enterprise Fund (self-supporting) Solid Waste Disposal Enterprise Fund Other Warrant Articles with a Financial

Impact

FY2009 Expenditures-Maturing Debt

Debt financing is the primary means of financing large capital projects in Lunenburg.

The use of debt allows the Town to afford the construction of large scale, capital assets in a systematic & planned manner.


Goals of Debt Management To achieve the best possible true

interest cost associated with debt To maintain the highest credit rating

possible To keep the average weighted

maturities of outstanding debt as low as possible to allow for the issuance of new debt as the need arises.



$-

$500,000

$1,000,000

$1,500,000

$2,000,000

$2,500,000

$3,000,000

FY2007 FY2010 FY2013 FY2016 FY2019 FY2022 FY2025

Debt Service by Fiscal Year by Type

Non-Exempt All Other

FY2009 Expenditures-Maturing Debt- $2,673,404

Line Expended Budgeted Budgeted FY2009 Finance Comm FY2009 CAFONo. FY06 FY07 FY08 Recommendation Recommendation

Maturing Debt & Interest1 Principal-Loans 1,536,013.00$ 1,543,534.00$ 1,701,296.00$ 1,751,372.00$ 1,751,372.00$ 2 Interest -Loans 907,393.00$ 873,328.00$ 945,109.00$ 897,032.00$ 897,032.00$ 3 Interest-Temporary Loans 78.00$ 70,064.00$ 15,000.00$ 25,000.00$ 25,000.00$

Total Maturing Debt 2,443,484.00$ 2,486,926.00$ 2,661,405.00$ 2,673,404.00$ 2,673,404.00$

FY2009 Expenditures-General Government Unclassified

The Unclassified category is a catch all for costs associated for special services or for costs unallocated elsewhere in the budget, the largest of which is for employee benefits.

Other items budgeted for here include: Historical Commission, Band Concerts, Regional Planning, General Insurance & Reserve Funds


The Town purchases health insurance for all active & retired employees through MIIA.

FY2009 renewal rate reflects an increase of only 3.7%, this coupled with the negotiated reduction in the Town’s share from 82.5% to 80% resulted in an overall increase of $4,351.


Finance Committee Reserve Account has been reduced $10,000 to $70,000 due to the fact that great effort has gone in to determining realistic funding levels for all programs and services included in this budget recommendation

Salary Reserve Account is $89,500 Total Request: $2,205,842


FY2009 Expenditures-General Government General Government

Administrative, Financial & Planning Offices of the Town

Total spending is recommended at $1,237,559, which is an increase of $3,880 over FY2008

Elimination of extra clerical hours for special projects in the offices of CAFO, BOS, Assessor, Tax Collector & Town Clerk

FY2009 Expenditures-General Government General Government

Cuts were necessary to make funding of updated elements of the Master Plan and an a new FT Technology Assistant position possible

Additional funds were set aside to increase the current support services contract for Police related software from business hours to 24/7

FY2009 Expenditures-General Government

FY2009 Expenditures-Central Purchasing

Central Purchasing is the cost center used to track costs that are not easily allocated among departments, such as utility costs and equipment and maintenance costs, generally for Town Hall Offices.

Total spending is recommended at $47,200, a reduction of $17,000


Central Purchasing Reduction comes in 2 areas:

Office Equipment Maintenance- recognizing that we have instituted a regular replacement plan for computers, printers & copiers

Telephone Charges- to come in line with historical spending levels


FY2009 Expenditures-Police

Police Staffing Levels

Chief of Police 1 Lieutenant 3 Sergeants 1 Detective 6 Patrol Officers 1 Traffic Officer 1 Administrative Assistant 14 Reserve Officers


• Ratio of Police Officers per 1,000 residents in Massachusetts Average 2.1 officers per 1,000 residents

Larger cities averaging 3.0 officers per 1,000 residents

Smaller communities averaging 1.8 officers per 1,000 residents

• Number of Lunenburg PD Full-time officers including the Chief =13 1.3 officers per 1,000

• Ratio of Police Officers per 1,000 residents in Massachusetts Average 2.1 officers per 1,000 residents

Larger cities averaging 3.0 officers per 1,000 residents

Smaller communities averaging 1.8 officers per 1,000 residents

• Number of Lunenburg PD Full-time officers including the Chief =13 1.3 officers per 1,000


Police Incidents by Year- 77% Increase in 7 Years

13,276

125751239112572

1143811080

8583

7465

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

FY2009 Expenditures-Police Bookings/ Arrests

387

216

164

220

175

116

173196

135

161153

164

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


Total recommended spending is $1,352,626, which is an increase of $74,330 or 5.81%

Includes modest increases for firearm supplies and badges

Includes a $15,900 increase for Lock-Up due to increasing number of arrests

Includes a $27,000 increase for fuel & vehicle maintenance

Does not include funding for additional officers

FY2009 Expenditures-Fire

Staffing Levels Fire Chief 1 Administrative/EMT-P/Dispatcher 3 Career Firefighter/EMTs 36 Call Firefighters (24 EMTs)


Apparatus 4 Engines 1 Ladder 1 Brush Truck 2 Rescue/Ambulances 2 Support vehicles



0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Inci

dent

s Fire

Medical

Inspections

Total


Total recommended spending is $759,570, which represents an increase of $64,067, or 9.21%

Includes funding to increase the on call stipend from $25 to $50 per shift on weekends & holidays in order to eliminate the hard call system for many shifts

$2,500 increase in EMT supplies to allow minor overstocking of items needed in the event of a major emergency

Includes $15,000 increase for fuel & maintenance

FY2009 Expenditures-Other Protection

Includes funding for Building, Gas, Plumbing & Wiring Inspection; Inspector of Weights & Measures, Municipal Hearings Officer & Animal Control Officer

Total recommended spending is $181,442, representing an increase of $4,574 or 2.54%

Bulk of the increase is to fund additional hours for the Assistant Building Inspector to cover in the absence of the Building Inspector & to fund an increase in the Inspector’s vehicle allowance consistent with his use.

FY2009 Expenditures-Other Protection

FY2009 Expenditures-Health & Sanitation

The mission of the Board of Health is to develop and maintain innovative programs to safeguard and improve the general health of the citizens of the Town.

Departmental Staff include: 1 Administrative Assistant Board of Health Agent (by contract) Nurse (by contract)

FY2009 Expenditures-Health & Sanitation

Total recommending spending is $67,366, which is an increase of $3,786 or 5.95%.

FY2009 Expenditures-Department of Public Works

The Department of Public Works includes: Highway Vehicle Maintenance Traffic & Signs Public Buildings & Grounds Cemetery Parks


Major duties: Maintenance of 200 lane miles of paved

roadways, including repair, line painting, traffic signs, street sweeping, snow removal, etc.

Maintenance of 11 public buildings and all non-school athletic fields & playgrounds

Maintenance of all town-owned vehicles


Total spending is recommended at $1,203,937, which represents an increase of $80,836, or 7.19% over the current appropriation.

Increase Snow & Ice Budget by $20K

$80,000 for Trash Program

FY2009 Expenditures-Council on Aging

Departmental Goals include: Advocacy for the elder population Increased community visibility Preparing for changing needs of elders Collaborating with other Town

departments to groups to develop programs beneficial to elders

Promoting Inter-generational opportunities through the Lunenburg Public Schools


The recommended level of spending is $94,782, which is an increase of $7,144 or 8.15% over current spending levels

The bulk of the increase is to provide additional hours for client outreach services.


FY2009 Expenditures-Veteran’s Benefits

The mission of the Veterans Administration Office is to provide financial and medical aid assistance to veterans and/ or dependants in need.

The state reimburses 75% of authorized assistance

The office also provides assistance in coordination of other types of aid

The FY2009 recommendation is for $32,603, which is required based upon current approved benefits.

FY2009 Expenditures-Lunenburg Public Schools

FY2009 Recommendation is for $14,749,818 (typo in narrative)

Represents an increase of $548,178 or 3.86%

Recommendation is $75,000 less than the Department Request

Superintendent Calmes is available for specific questions

FY2009 Expenditures-Monty Tech Assessment

FY2009 Regional Assessment has been certified at $565,210

Decrease due to enrollment of $73,261 over FY2008

Superintendent Culkeen is available for specific questions.

FY2009 Expenditures-Lunenburg Public Library

Departmental Goals Teach patrons how to fully utilize all

of the Library’s information systems Develop the Library as the center of

community culture Increase hours of operation Address needs of large after school

teen & pre-teen populations

FY2009 Expenditures-Lunenburg Public Library

The recommended level of spending for the Library for Fy2009 is $329,867, which represents an increase of $30,100 or 10.04% over current year spending.

Increase reflects an increase in salary for the Director in recognition of her certification, as well as increases for building repairs & maintenance and Library materials.

Funding for CWMARS will come from State Aid

FY2009 Expenditures-Band Concerts

Request for $2,500 for summer concerts

FY2009 Expenditures

Total FY2009 Recommended Expenditures = $25,507,326

Represents an increase of $767,229, or 3.10% over FY2008

Article 8- Annual Capital Improvement Plan

Request for $357,750

Article 9- Capital Improvement Plan

Request to borrow $249,960

Article 10- Stabilization Fund

Pass Over

Article 11- Meadow Woods Water & Sewer

Pass Over No additional authorization needed

Article 19- Clock Tower

Pass Over

Article 20- Adoption of MGL Chapter 32B, Section 18

• Local Acceptance Statute, passed in 1991• Must be accepted by Town Meeting• Requires all retirees who are eligible for Medicare

Part A at no cost to themselves to enroll in Medicare Part B

• Retirees who are ineligible for Medicare remain on active plans

• Town must provide Medicare Supplement plans that are of comparable actuarial value to the retiree’s existing coverage (i.e. plan offered to active employees)


• A penalty is imposed by the Federal Government for late enrollment

• Penalty is an additional 10% of the Part B premium for each year since retiree’s (or dependant’s ) eligibility

• Penalty is assessed each year that the person is enrolled

• Town is responsible for paying any penalty for the retiree and/ or dependant


• Medical Insurance coverage for:• People age 65 or older

• Younger people with disabilities

• People with end stage Renal Disease

• Part A- Hospital Insurance:• Available premium-free if you are age 65 or older, and you or your

spouse has paid Medicare Tax for at least 10 years

• Part B- Medical Insurance• Available to Part A holders for a monthly premium of $88.50


• Eligibility is determined by the Social Security Administration - (800) 772-1213

• Municipal employees were not eligible for Medicare coverage until 1986, when the Federal Government required those employees hired after April 1 to contribute 1.45% of their salary. Employer matches the contribution

• Employees hired prior to 04/01/86 had the option of “buying” into the system.

Article 20- Adoption of MGL Chapter 32B, Section 18 Board of Selectmen & Public Employee

Committee have reached an agreement on adoption of Section 18

Upon adoption, the Town will offer 2 additional Medicare Supplement Plans at 75/25 premium contribution

Any retirees already enrolled in Part B will be required to switch to a Supplement Plan on July 1, 2008

Article 20- Adoption of MGL Chapter 32B, Section 18 Any retirees eligible for Medicare, but not

yet enrolled will be required to enroll during the next open enrollment period and switch to a Supplement Plan effective July 1, 2009.

Supplement Plans offered must be of actuarial equivalent value

New plans offered will cost about the same as existing plans

Adoption of Section 18 is anticipated to SAVE the Town about $150,000 annually.

Article 27- Water Department Enterprise Fund

Self-supporting Enterprise Request- $2,500 appropriation

Article 28- Sewer Department Enterprise Fund

Self-supporting Enterprise All expenses paid through user fees

Request $471,305

Article 29- Solid Waste/ Recycling Enterprise Fund The Town operates a PAYT Program,

including recycling, through a private hauler

3,200 of 3,800 household participate Program is funded through bag sales & a

General Fund Appropriation General Fund appropriation $80K

(included in Omnibus Budget- Article 7) Bag fees will be raised $0.50/ bag

Article 29- Solid Waste/ Recycling Enterprise Fund

Article 29- Solid Waste/ Recycling Enterprise Fund

Total Enterprise Fund appropriation sought = $378,900

Documents

Town of Lunenburg