Department Budget Requests Summary Notes

Schools

For Local Schools, a January 5 presentation by the School Committee entitled “Funding for Quality, the Community’s Choice, indicates, “Tight revenues have forced the school system to stray from its Strategic Plan.  While some strides have been made, it is the classes coming up from the elementary schools that will feel the effects of budget constraints.  This year the voters must choose whether to move forward with the strategic plan or keep the business running as is.”  The community has three basic choices being:

1.      Keep the Business Running (requires a 10.3% increase next year and 6.4% annual increases thereafter;

2.      Improve Quality of Instruction and Learning and get back on track with the Strategic Plan (requires a 13.6% and 7.9% average increases thereafter); or

3.      Expect Less (with less than a 10.3% increase next year and less than 6.4% annual increases thereafter.)

On January 19, the Superintendent presented a preliminary budget of $31,168,815 or an increase of $3,132,126 (11.2%).  It will be reviewed and possibly modified before the School Committee presents its final recommended budget to the Town.  Major increases and increase drivers in the Superintendent’s budget include:

1.      $1,857,000 for increased fixed and mandated costs ($1,150,00 for contractual salary increases, $701,000 for utilities, $74,000 for new Sped staff and a reduction of $68,000 in Sped tuitions.)

2.      $1,275,000 for increased costs to provide for growth and improvement ($398,000 for 8.3 additional regular education teachers, $145,000 for 2 new administrators, $55,000 for 1.8 additional support staff, $324,000 for new computers and other new technology expenses, $215,000 for textbook adoption, $94,000 for extraordinary maintenance, $69,000 for additional professional development expenses and a reduction of $25,000 for other.)

See the school website for additional info.

We have yet to receive the Regional School (Keefe Tech) budget request and have simply shown a guesstimate as a placeholder for this exercise.  The final budget amount will be based on our allocation of the Keefe Tech budget.  Keefe Tech is a shared resource for several area communities.  Our allocation of its operational budget is based on the number Hopkinton students enrolled at Keefe Tech versus the total number of students enrolled there.  We are essentially obligated to pay our share if we wish to maintain this resource as an option for our students.

Other General Government

Preliminary requests result in an increase of $1,149,000 for this grouping.  The cost to pay for debt and interest on current borrowings is projected to increase by $93,000.  This will have to be updated if here are any new borrowings for capital items approved for FY07.  The Employee Benefits increase of $1,044,000 primarily relates to another significant increase in medical insurance rates as estimated by the Town’s insurance broker and a sizeable increase in the Middlesex Retirement Plan funding requirement.  The Fire Insurance increase is an estimate to include a modest rate increase and increased values (inflation plus the new Senior Center ).  These expenditures are essentially mandatory so have been carried forward to Your Budget for the purpose of this exercise.

Public Safety

The Police Department has requested a budget of $2,124, 842 or an increase of $206,719 (10.8%).  Increases consist of:

1. $105,524 for additional police officer salaries ( $64,157 due to contractual salary adjustments plus increased educational incentives and expiration of the Cops In Schools Grant and $41,366 for 6 months of a new Lieutenant’s position at mid year)

2. $31,282 for a new full time additional Dispatcher salary (includes $7,261 of contractual adjustment and is net of offset for taking scheduled part time hours from 32 hours per week to 16 hours per week.)

3. $6,076 for contractual increase in overtime rates (partially offset by reduction in need due to retirement of a senior officer and the additional full time dispatcher.)

4. $36,838 for increased expenses ($13,200 for utilities, $6,464 for increased HVAC and elevator maintenance contracts, $11,474 for gasoline, $2,000 for contractual increase in uniform allowance and $3,700 to equip the new officer.)

5. $27,000 to help fund a new cruiser (supplements funding from the Ambulance revolving expense fund for the purchase two new cruisers per the Capital Improvement Schedule.)

The Fire Department has submitted two budget requests one for so called level service at $1,769,596 and the other for optimum service at $2,356,514:

The so- called level service budget includes an increase of $167,470 or 10.5%, which is comprised of:

1. $73,705 for salary increases due to contractual raises and steps, restructuring of positions, one new position from the realignment and additional overtime to fill paramedic positions. 

2. $18,535 for increased expenses (primarily due to $5,250 for gas and electricity, $5,000 for vehicle maintenance, $8,000 for civil defense/emergency management cost).

3. $75,000 for a new brush pump.

Per the Chief, this funding does not allow for recommended full time staffing on each shift or any staffing at the Woodville Station.  It continues to rely heavily on the recalling of off-duty personnel to handle second and third call dispatches.

The optimum service budget requires an increase of $754,388 or 47.1% to achieve desired staffing levels and improve response rates.  The difference to the above is entirely related to the cost of additional personnel to operate with at least 8 personnel on-duty per shift (vs. 4 to 5 currently) and some staffing at the Woodville Station for improved response to the west side of Town. 

Other Public Safety budgets include Traffic Control, Sealer of Weights and Measures, Inspectional Services, the Dog Officer, Traffic Control and the Tree Warden.  Collectively, budget requests for these departments result in an increase of approximately $13,000.  The increase relates primarily to salary adjustments for cost of living and longevity and an additional $8,116 for the Tree Warden salary line (formerly budgeted at $4,884).  This position has been vacant since August 2005 and the position s/b filled by a certified arborist to protect the liability of the Town.

Public Services

This grouping primarily consists of departments related to the Town’s public works. The DPW director has requested budgets as follows:

Waste Collection & Disposal - $1,156,988.90 or an increase of $55,939 (5.1%) consisting of:

·        Recycling Salaries - $11,391.40 – This account is increased by $5,891.40 to $11,391.40. We are adding the position of Recycling Monitor at 40 hours per month. The individual in this position checks that residents are properly recycling and notifies them when they are not. We have had an individual on the Senior Tax Credit Program doing the work and have found his efforts to be successful. The account also covers the Recycling Center Attendant.

·        Recycling Collection/Disposal - $207,270 – This account is increased by $9,870 to $207,270. This is to cover the maximum contractual increase of 5% of this multi-year contract with Allied Waste (formerly BFI).

·        Household Hazardous Waste Collection - $14,000– This account is increased by $2000 to meet what was expended in FY 06, $13,370.

·        Recycling Expenses - $10,000 – This account is increased by $4,000 to cover expenses for electronic waste disposal at the Recycling Center . Fees collected for the service are turned into the general fund.

·        Rubbish Collection - $408,082.50 – This account is increased by $19,482.50 to $408,082.50 to cover the maximum contractual increase of 5% of the multi-year contract with Allied Waste (formerly BFI).

·        Rubbish Disposal - $506,245 - This account is increased by $14,745 to $506,245 to cover the historic contractual increase of 3% of this multi-year contract with Wheelabrator Millbury.

Highway Department - $1,046,000 or an increase of $67,808 (6.9%) consisting of:

1.       Salaries & Wages - $564,197.65 – The salary accounts are increased by $78,736 to include the 3% contractual wage increase.

2.      Highway Department Expenses - $190,750 - Requested expenses are reduced by $5,200 primarily due to no new funding request for streetscapes noted below.  Otherwise increases are included as follows:

• Electricity - $11,000 – Increased by $1,000 to cover increased electricity rates.

• Heating Gas, Oil & Supplies - $16,500 –Increased by $1,500 to cover increased fuel and natural gas rates.

• Maintenance & Repairs–Buildings - $7,000 – Level funded for maintenance of buildings at Fruit Street , Wood Street and minor improvements to Highway Garage.

• Equipment, Parts & Maintenance–Parks/Cemeteries/Buildings - $7,000 - Level funded and will be used to replace worn power equipment and hand tools and to buy parts for the lawn maintenance equipment.

• Repair & Maintenance–Vehicles - $40,000 – Increased by $5,000 as in the past this account has run over as an aging fleet demands more attention.

• Contracted Services/Supplies – Streetscapes - $-0- – This account was originally setup to fund Parks lawn maintenance. As Parks and Recreations Department now handles paying for this work out of Field Use Fees, there is no longer a need to fund this account out of DPW. In FY 06 it was funded $24,900 to cover purchases by the Downtown Revitalization Committee for ornamental park benches and trash receptacles. No request has been made to date to fund this account for FY07.

• Advertising - $3,000 – Level funded and used to pay for bid and employment advertisements and wetland filing notifications.

• Postage - $750– Increased by $200.

·        Telephone - $6,000 – Level funded.

·        Uniforms-Laundry, Rentals - $11,000 – Level funded and used for coverall rentals for mechanics and uniform clothing and boot purchases provided for in the municipal union contract.

·        Office Supplies - $5,500 – Increased by $3,000 to cover replacement of the copier at the DPW Administration office at Fruit Street .

·        Building Maintenance Supplies - $3,000 –Level funded.

·        Highway Maintenance Supplies - $12,000 - Level funded and used to purchase miscellaneous highway related supplies and services such as hardware, fasteners, tools, safety equipment and monthly service fees.

·        Grounds Keeping Supplies-Parks/Cemeteries/Buildings - $5,000 - Level funded. The account is used to pay for loam, seed, gravel, lumber and other items used in the operation of the cemeteries and buildings.

·        Vehicular Gas, Fuel & Supplies - $54,000 – Increased by $9,000.00 (20%) to cover increased gasoline and diesel fuel costs. The account also includes funding for the purchase of fasteners, oil, filters, wipers, headlights, taillights, grease, solvents and mechanics tools and equipment.

·        Highway Hired Equipment - $5,000 – Level funded and used to hire supplement equipment, such as a sweeper or catch basin cleaner to meet unfunded state mandates.

·        Out of State Travel - $1,500 – Level funded and used for all Highway’s related travel expenses such as mileage reimbursement, parking and lodging and meals for professional seminars.

·        Dues & Memberships - $2,500 – Level funded and used to pay annual memberships for professional organizations, CDL and hoisting engineer’s license renewals and professional meeting fees. The account is level funded with FY06.

3.      Road Maintenance - $290,600.00

• Line Painting - $22,000 – Increased by $10,000. Highway is upgrading the line painting program to now cover annual lining of town roads. In the past, some streets were done every other year. It is important that road markings be visible for public safety and traffic enforcement. Line painting is done in two phases, downtown area in April and the remainder of the town in August.

• Asphalt Paving - $100,000 - Level funded and used to supplement Chapter 90 funds for annual road improvement projects.  The amount is consistent to fund the work under the Pavement Management Program. This account also pays for cold patch hot asphalt for road repairs by highway crews.

• Oil Sealing - $40,000 – Level funded and used to supplement Chapter 90 funds for annual road improvement projects and the amount is consistent to fund the work under the Pavement Management Program.

• Guard Rail Repairs - $2,500 –Level funded and used for installation and repair of guardrails and fences.

• Engineering - $20,000 – Level funded and used to cover highway related engineering work such as road improvement contracts, drainage design, wetland filing fees and surveying. Engineering work planned for FY06 includes surveying a portion of Lumber Street , roadway design at Pine Island Road and mapping for Storm Water Management Program.

• Basin Repair - $7,200 – Level funded used to repair catch basins and drainage structures.

·       Sidewalk Maintenance/Repairs - $24,900 –Increased by $20,900  as several sidewalks are in need of replacement and include Victory Lane , Colburn Rd, Hopkins Rd, and Valentine Rd.

• Fill/Gravel/Loam - $7,000 – Level funded.

• Signs - $18,000 – Level funded and used to replace street signs to meet federal requirements.

• Drainage Pipe - $36,000 – Increased by $25,000 to cover damages sustained to drainage culverts in the Fall of 2005. It is used to pay for installation of drainage pipe and appurtenances to replace failing culverts and correct drainage problems. There are two projects coming in FY07 to be funded out of this account. The first is the replacement of the culvert at Fourth Rd (now closed to traffic).  It is estimated at $12,000. The second is the cost of construction to repair a concrete channel wall at the outlet of a culvert on Granite St . It is estimated at $15,000.

·        Brush Cutting & Hand Tools - $4,000 – Level funded.

• Police Detail - $9,000 –Increased by $500 based on police contract detail rate increase to $42.00 per hour.

DPW Administration - $369,191 – Increased by $23,191 or 6.7% to cover salary adjustments for cost of living and steps.

Other Public Service budget requests total $406,000 to include an increase of  $8,000 (2%). They include Facilities down by $6,971 to $107,000, Snow and Ice level at $200,000, Other Storm level at $10,000 and Street Lighting increased by $15,000 to $90,000.  The increase is due to increased electric rates for street lighting.

Town Hall

This category otherwise known as General Government is comprised of the many (20 or so) departments and committees operating at Town Hall. Total requests are $196,000 higher then last year.  Per the Town’s Executive Secretary, the major increases are as follows:

1. $48,000 for salary increases (cost of living and step increases);
2. $55,000 for a full time MIS position (recommended by DOR in their review of the town's finances);
3. $40,000 to change the selectmen's hearing room to have better cable coverage of meetings that take place there;
4. $6,000 for costs associated with an additional election this year;
5. $5,000 for gas and electricity;
6. $5,000 for conservation commission expense line (has been zero);
7. $4,750 town hall repairs when senior center moves out;
8. $3500 for assessors revaluation work; and
9. $2,000 for payroll services in the personnel office.
10. There are a couple other small expense line items under $1,000 to make up the remainder of requested increases.

Culture & Recreation

The Library has requested $330,692 or an increase of 7.5%.  This includes an $18,272 (7.5%) increase in salaries due to step increases plus a 3% cost of living adjustment and a $4,861 (7.3%) increase in expenses primarily for new books per state funding requirements.

Parks and Rec has requested a budget of $48,778 which is essentially level.

Human Services

The Counsel of Aging requests a budget of $317,601 or an increase of $158,946 or 100.2%.  The increase is driven by increased service loads and costs to heat, light, clean and operate the new Senior Center .

The Board of Health budget request is $165,767 or an increase of $43,716 (35.8%).  The increase is primarily due to the addition of a salary budget for salaries currently paid via the 53E ½ revolving account.  In addition it includes approximately $3,000 of salary cost of living adjustments.

The Youth Commission request of $14,982 represents a new budget item.  The request is comprised of $2,982 of expenses for copying, printing, a newsletter and events and $12,000 to rent space for a Youth Center .

Veterans Services requests $13,000 or an increase of  $4,033 (45%).  The increase is primarily due to a projected increase in needed veterans benefits.

Water & Sewer

Water Department - $1,352,298 or an increase of $65,398 (5.1%)

Salaries & Wages - $266,484.54 - There is a $9,436.47 increase in this account based on the 3.0% contractual wage increase plus $1,750 longevity payments.

Expenses - $557,439

·         Electricity - $93,821 – This account is increased $10,321 (6%) to cover increased rates.

·         Gas and Oil Heating - $5,618 -This account is increased $618.00 (6%) to cover increased rates.

·         Postage - $3,500 – This account is increased $700 to cover increased rates.

·         Water Testing - $11,000 – This account is increased $1,000.00 (10%) to cover for two additional tests the state requires.

·         Purchase of Water - $210,000– This account is increased $13,000.00 to cover increased costs passed on to the town from Ashland as their operating costs increase.

Shared Costs – $214,411 – Represents payment to Town for shared costs.  We have yet to receive an updated request here so carried forward the same amount as last year for the purpose of this exercise.

Transfer to Sewer Fund - $58,154 – Represents payment to the Serer Fund for ceratin shared costs.  The amount is slightly down from last year.

Debt Service – The Water Enterprise debt service request is $313,963 or an increase of $35, 765 (12.9%).  It represents the amount to pay off borrowings and transfers to the Sewer Enterprise fund.

Sewer Department - $1,924,656 or an increase of $35,831 (2.1%).

Salaries & Wages - $165,994.27 - There is a $4,229.46 increase in this account based on the 3.0% contractual wage increase.

Expenses - $361,899

·        Wastewater Facility - $226,600 – This account is increased $16,600.00 to cover increased costs passed on to the town from Westbourgh as their operating costs increase.

·        Electricity - $61,798 – This account is increased $6,798.00 (6%) to cover increased rates.

·        Other Purchased Services - $20,157 -This account is increased $1,157.00 consistent with the Sewer Rate Study.

• Fuel/Oil/Maintenance Vehicles - $4,494 -This account is increased $494.00 consistent with the Sewer Rate Study.

Shared Costs – $198,060 – Represents payment to Town for shared costs.  We have yet to receive an updated request here so carried forward the same amount as last year for the purpose of this exercise.

Debt Service - The Sewer Enterprise debt service request is $1,198,703 or a decrease of $1,004.  It represents the amount to pay off borrowings.