HomeMy WebLinkAboutTownBoard_Minutes_20151007Danby Town Board
Minutes of Special Budget Meeting
October 7, 2015
Present:
Supervisor: Ric Dietrich
Councilpersons: Rebecca Brenner, Leslie Connors, Jack Miller
Excused:
Councilman: Jim Holahan
Others Present:
Town Clerk Pamela Goddard
Bookkeeper Laura Shawley
Highway Sup. Carl Seamon, Jack Shawley
The Danby Town Board Meeting was opened at 7:10 am
Budget Planning and Review Discussion
The Town Board reviewed the Preliminary 2016 budget with Bookkeeper Shawley.
Discussion continued regarding the sizable increase in the Fire District budget. Dietrich and Shawley
stated that they are still trying to get clarity from the Fire District, that the amount being asked for is to be
raised by taxes. While the TB does not manage the FD budget in any way, members of the Board wanted
information in order to answer questions from residents. The FD budget hearing is scheduled for October
20. Supervisor Dietrich will invite Fire Commissioner Edward Kokkelenberg to the October 19 TB
meeting, to provide an opportunity for the Fire Commissioners to speak about the needs in its budget.
Connors proposed that $2,000 be moved from the A7330.400 Youth and Recreation line of the
General Fund budget to the Community Council budget. This will leave $500 in the Youth and Recreation
line. There was agreement for this budget change.
There was a discussion regarding an increase in attorney fees for 2016. There are several matters
which have taken a greater amount of attorney review in 2015 than in previous years. Dietrich and
Shawley said that it would be prudent to budget appropriately for 2016. It is anticipated that some
matters, such as union negotiations, will continue into the next year. Connors asked whether it would be
advisable to give the attorney more direction in order to limit costs related to some questions? Brenner
added support to the idea of limits to attorney expenditures on certain projects.
Shawley asked whether it might be better to pay the attorney on a contractual or retainer basis? There
was a discussion regarding alternate arrangements for the Town/Attorney relationship. There was an
extended discussion around the question of what appropriate spending levels might be and how to
determine any limits on such costs. Connors suggested that Attorney Krogh be invited to have a
conversation on this matter with the Board.
There was a general discussion regarding the line item for the Town Historian. This included a
discussion regarding this position and its future.
Highway Superintendents Carl Seamon and Jack Shawley were available for questions. There were
none.
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 am.
______________________________________
Pamela Goddard, Town Clerk
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