Hillsborough proposes 3.5 % raise for town employees

The Hillsborough selectmen proposed a 3.5 percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for all town employees at last Tuesday’s meeting. According to town administrator John Stetser, the federal government set the regional COLA for New England at 5.6 percent.

Although the proposed COLA is not as high as the regional number it is higher than last year’s 2.2 percent municipal employee raise.

Although the police department had proposed a Collective Bargaining Agreement – which included items such as Longevity pay, Educational Incentives, Overtime and compensatory Time starting at 40 hours – the selectmen decided to forego any discussion of those issues this year due to concerns over meeting budget demands.

“The year 2009 looms ahead of us with dark fiscal clouds that may call for strong actions the Board must take to stay within budget,” chairman Paul Haley said in a letter to the police department. “The coming year promises little except falling revenues, tax liens, unpaid water/sewer bills, increased welfare and overtime reductions. Many towns are already moving into a belt-tightening mode, as is the State of New Hampshire.”

During discussions last Tuesday and this Monday, the selectmen have made preliminary approval for a list of budgets, including administrative, assessing, bridge repair, the Community Action Team (CAT), cemeteries, the Conservation Commission, election and registrations, emergency management, and the Gable complex for renovations.

According to Stetser, cemeteries remained the same as last year, with elections going up 3 percent. Emergency Management went down 1 percent, with assessing remaining the same as last year. The budget for Youth Services is also remaining the same as last year.

Director of Youth Services Peter Brigham was touted by Haley.

“You are cheap. You don’t spend money. You’re awful. Yours is the easiest budget to defend,” Haley told Brigham, who would not even consider accepting funding for a new copy machine to replace his old one that may soon fail.

However Brigham did point out that the town may want to consider establishing a capital reserve to eventually replace the Youth Services van, which is used for many other town activities. Thanks to Brigham’s fundraising, the town did not have to pay a cent for the current van.

The highway department budget is going up 10.5 percent, including $44,000 for the first payment on the department’s new loader. Allowances are being made to ensure that enough sand and salt will be available for the year. The sand and salt budget was set a $60,000 for the current year, but to date $85,000 has been spent on the materials. Road Agent Billy Goss worries that this year will be just as challenging.

Stetser pointed out that most towns pay anywhere from $5.50 to $7.50 per town for sand, but that Hillsborough only pays two dollars and change per ton because the highway department maintains the sandpit it uses, keeping it ready for use.

Goss also informed selectmen that he believes the town “didn’t’ make a wise decision” when contracting for fuel from a larger contractor from out of town. He pointed out that Orin Poland of Valaincourts is a taxpayer in town and was not even invited into the bidding process.

“He’s a businessman and a taxpayer,” said Goss. “I think it should be kept local.”

Goss pointed out that his department ran out of fuel once already. The selectmen were favorable to the proposal and Haley even pointed that “the town shouldn’t be running out,” hinting that might be a breach of contract that could allow the town to consider another bidder – perhaps Poland.

The building inspector budget will also see an increase due to a hike in hours for inspector Kelly Dearborn Luce, who is expected to take over restaurant inspections. The state currently inspects restaurants. Presently Dearborn Luce is allotted 25 hours a week. The selectmen intend to increase her hours to 35.
There will be a public hearing on the issue on Jan. 13 at 7 p.m.

“She has the qualifications to do it and it will bring in $4,000 to $6,000 in revenues for the general fund,” said Stetser. “As code enforcement officer, she enforces all codes for plumbing, electrical, new construction, renovation work, and works with contactors and homeowners to help them save money in the long run by advising them on building codes before they begin construction.

A preliminary budget hearing will be held Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. A final budget hearing is scheduled for Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.