October 25, 2021  |   

SUTTON BUDGET COMMITTEE MINUTES    10-25-21

 

The meeting was opened by the chair, Robert DeFelice @ 6:00 PM @ the North Sutton Fire Station.  Present were Pete Thompson, Gail Guertin, Samantha Gordon, Mark Peterson and the BOS liaison, Dane Headley.  Both John Mock and Selectman, Walter Baker, were excused.

 

It was moved by Guertin and 2nd by Gordon to approve the minutes of 10-18-21.  Discussion ensued and it was found that there were a few anomalies in the analysis and reporting of cemetery funds.  The following are the corrections:

  1. North Sutton Cemetery Trust – both P. and I. May be used up to 100% of the value of the trust. The money is limited only to that cemetery.
  2. The fund for the perpetual care for all cemeteries is limited to interest only.

With these corrections, the minutes were accepted w/o dissent.

 

BOS liaison, Dana Headley, provided the following information to the committee:

  1. The Planning Board (interviewed by the BOS this day and interviewed by the budget committee next week is over budget. This is primarily legal, engineering fees for a major proposed project in East Sutton.  Much of the money will be recovered from the applicant.
  2. The last two plots in the North Sutton Cemetery have beenpurchased.

 

@ 6:15 Henry Howell and Bonnie Hill presented the proposed budget of the Sutton Conservation Commission.

  1. 101 Secretarial Services 2020 Budget $1,267 2020 Actual $965    2021 Budget  $1,284 COLA
  2. 560 Dues/Conf./Publications 2020 Budget    $1,300       2021  Budget    $1,300
  3. 600 Expenses 2020 Budget  $800    2021  Budget $800   (creation of trail maps)  Trail maps are important as they are certified and as such become a legal document, as they are very muc hrelied on.
  4. 601 Supplies 2020 Budget  $170   2021 Budget $170   While no money was spent in 2020, there is the CC desire to put up publicity signs relating to both flora and fauna of the area.  This is a state encouraged activity.
  5. 902 Special Projects 2020 $4,000   2021  $4,000 Total:  (a) Culvert replacement and repair on King Hill property, the Penacook Trail and Hominy Pot access. (b) Logging.  $1,000 for logging and the money raised from this logging will go into the town’s General Fund.  (c) $1,668 for kiosks, boards, trail signs and trail development.

The total amount requested is $7,554.

 

Mr. Howell spoke of the substantial volunteer time given by CC members and volunteers and of future projects – rain garden, parking area.  The chair pointed out the importance and necessity of purblic hearings when required and that the  modest size of the budget allowed for flexibility in such terms as ‘expenses’ and ‘supplies, which would require more scrutiny in a large budget.

 

There was further committee and CC discussion of the King Hill Reservation Fund.  Used to maintain trails (mowing both for the trail and support of wildlife), it is almost depleted.  There is another fund (Conservation Fund) that has $158,000.  The money in this fund is generated by a change of use.  For example:  change from current use to other use increases the tax.  50% is allocated to this fund.  Use of this money is to purchase land or provide easement expenses (legal, survey and overview)   The advantage of an easement is that the property is still owned by the entity and so remains taxable  Such activities do not require town meeting approval, but only a hearing to declare intent.

 

  1. 2 Henry Howell and Bonnie Hill finished their presentation at 7:27 PM.

 

The chair passed out the following:

  1. Conservation budget preview – during time of CC presentation.
  2. 10-23-21 Actual & Budgeted Expense & Encumbrance.
  3. Municipal (KRSD) Budget Committee minutes. The purpose of this handout was to explain the importance of procedure and rules of order.  The minutes of the municipal budget meeting had motions to accept the minutes, but there was no allowance of discussion.  This runs contrary to not only Robert’s Rules of Order, but also limits transparency and disclosure.

 

It was moved by Guertin and 2nd by Peterson to adjourned @7:44 PM.  The next meeting of the Budget Committee will be next Monday, 11-1-21 @ 6:00PM @ the North Sutton Fire Station.

 

Respectfully submitted

 

 

 

Robert W Wright Jr.

Scribe