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Special Selectboard Budget 12/9/24

  • Monday, December 9, 2024
    PM – 9 PM

Selectboard

Minutes

Selectboard Minutes 12-09-24 120 KB

Approved on: Monday, December 16, 2024

Printable version

Selectboard Minutes 12-09-24 120 KB

Web version

Town of Richmond
Special Selectboard Meeting
Minutes of December 9, 2024

Members Present: Bard Hill, Adam Wood, David Sander, Jay Furr, Lisa Miller (remote)
 

Absent: None

Staff Present: Town ManagerJosh Arneson;Assistant to the Town ManagerDuncan Wardwell; Town Clerk Linda Parent; Finance Director Connie Bona, Chief of Police Anthony Cambridge, Highway Department Chief Pete Gosselin, Fire Department Chief Dennis Gile, Library Director Kathy Templin and Suzanne Krohn, Planning Director Keith Oborne.


Others Present: MMCTV Erin Wagg, John Linn (AIA), Becky Vigneault, Marcy Harding, Patty Brushett, Trevor Brooks, Howard Center Matt Thompson, Jennifer Poehlmann, Bonny Steuer, Patty Kaleita, Amy Wardwell, Alexis Lathem, June Heston, Andrew Bessette, Cara LaBounty, Brendan Filkins.

MMCTV Video: Recorded by MMCTV by Erin Wagg
https://youtu.be/AwoJxAYobc4?si=DVUhcI6lLXK3eNiI

Call to Order: 7:00 pm
 

Welcome by: Sander

Public Comment:  None

Additions or Deletions to Agenda:  None

Items for Presentation or Discussion with those present

Discussion of recent increase in break-ins

Timestamp: 0:03

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2024/12/3a_Statement_from_Police_Chief_on_Recent_Breakins.pdf

People who participated in discussion:  Sander, Arneson, Cambridge, Miller, Hill, Furr, Heston, Poehlmann

Chief Cambridge wrote a letter to Town residents about the escalating crime numbers in Richmond. He emphasized that people should lock their cars and homes. Hill asked about a comparison between vehicle thefts in previous years and this year. Chief Cambridge explained that in 2023 there were 5 motor vehicle thefts in Hinesburg (2) and Richmond (3), in 2024 that number has risen to 28 for both Towns. Sander asked if this was a trend in other communities, to which Cambridge replied yes, Monkton, Starksboro, Huntington and Shelburne. One of his officers discovered two brand new Kias at a house in Monkton that based off VIN numbers had not yet been reported stolen from a dealership in Montpelier. He advised not to leave keys in a vehicle or leave a vehicle unlocked. Heston reported that a backpack was found with needles and a license plate in the Southview neighborhood, and she wondered if she was safe to walk around in Richmond. Chief Cambridge said that no person has been assaulted or accosted, and that most of these crimes are crimes of opportunity. Furr asked if anyone in the Town was trained in neighborhood watch, to which Arneson replied that these programs need to be teamed with a law enforcement agency. Miller concurred as she lived in an area in Pennsylvania where there was a neighborhood watch that worked well and she would like to see that here. Hill asked for follow-up regarding individuals who continue to get arrested for the same crime. Poehlmann added that her son’s car was stolen from her driveway on Thanksgiving morning and the officers were “amazing,” she continued that she is the director of the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services and has a good deal of experience and she said because of her son’s car being broken into her family doesn’t feel safe. Cambridge emphasized that no one should confront anyone who is committing a crime, because most of the arrests that have been made involve firearms. He said all his officers are being proactive and he sympathizes with people who are victimized.

Review of Employee Benefits Survey

Timestamp: 0:28

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2024/12/3b_Richmond__VT_Benefits_Study_Draft_Report_11.26.24.pdf

People who participated in discussion:  Sander, Arneson, Bona

Arneson explained that employee benefits were audited in 2022 to see if the employee benefits that the Town of Richmond is offering is competitive. He feels the Town offers competitive wages as well as number of days off. Furr was concerned about our Highway Dept losing 3 employees to Hinesburg this year, to which Arneson replied he thought that was mostly due to promotions offered, bonuses they pay and more leave time. Hill pointed out that there are generational differences in what people want related to work-life benefits, so it depends on who the Town of Richmond is trying to recruit, because someone who is 25 is looking for different benefits than someone who is 45.

Review of draft FY26 Budget, including all departments and revenue
Timestamp: 0:35
 

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2024/12/3c1_FY26_Budget_DRAFT_12-09-24.pdf

https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.richmondvt.gov%2Ffileadmin%2Ffiles%2FSelectboard%2FMeetings%2F2024%2F12%2F3c2_FY26_Budget_DRAFT_12-09-24.xls&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK

https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.richmondvt.gov%2Ffileadmin%2Ffiles%2FSelectboard%2FMeetings%2F2024%2F12%2F3c3_FY26_CAPITAL_PLAN_DRAFT_12-09-24.xlsx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2024/12/3c4_VLCT_Health_Insurance_Benefit_Study.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2024/12/3c5_Employee_Count.pdf

People who participated in discussion:  Sander, Arneson, Bona, Furr, LaBounty, Wood, Cambridge, Giles, Linn, Miller, Krohn, Oborne, Filkins

Arneson presented an overview explaining that this budget is the version that was presented at the last meeting, which includes budget cuts and expense reduction. This includes a request for increased Administrative staffing, a reduction in contribution to Reserve funds by recalculating future contributions, reducing Police staffing from four officers to three officers, reducing the request for a 40 hour Police Administrative Assistant to the 20 hour police admin, delaying the purchase of a Police cruiser, and reduction in equipment purchases for the Fire Department. This took us from about a 21% tax increase down to just under 10%. The last iteration of the budget removed $5,000 from the contribution to the Fire Department Safety Equipment and Gear reserve. This iteration removes a total of $20,000, followed by removing $35,000 from the contribution to the Fire Capital reserve, which was originally budgeted at $250,000, which leaves a contribution of $205,000. Community Outreach Programs will increase by $1,000. Lastly, we reduced the contribution to the Highway Capital reserve, so if we take $85,000 out, that still leaves a contribution of $175,000 for FY26, 27, 28. We are still proposing to reduce Police hiring by one, hiring only two more officers. Furr added that we have some candidates interviewing for those jobs. Arneson continued that all these changes would bring the tax rate increase to 7.12%. Wood wanted to know what the total reduction in Fire Dept contributions would come to, which was $300,000.
 

Arneson described how the various funds would get paid back as FEMA money gets repaid from last year’s flooding, Bridge and Culvert Reserve and Special Projects Reserve would be reimbursed first, followed by Highway Capital Reserve. Furr asked if FEMA reimbursement schedules would change with the new administration, to which Arneson replied he assumed the repayment schedule from FEMA would follow the same timeline as from the 2023 flood. Arneson reiterated that if another flood happens a short-term loan may be required to cover all flood repair expenses. Hill emphasized that a loan could not happen currently until all resources were used. Hill wanted to know what coverage would “look like” if all three officers were hired in the Richmond Police Department, to which Chief Cambridge replied that even fully staffed coverage typically runs from 07:00a to 11:00p. He explained further that in Hinesburg alone they are getting 1000 more calls than 5 years ago. Brushett asked if an Admin for the Police was included in the budget, which Arneson stated that yes, this person is proposed as working 20 hours per week. Brushett emphasized that the Chief has been covering both Towns for the past two years, and his officers are doing media releases on Front Porch Forum, despite this she would like to see more information posted on the Town’s website, which she also mentioned at the last meeting. Bona countered that even when the Police department was fully staffed the Admin position only required 12-15 hours of work, similarly Richmond is not saving very much money by working with Hinesburg for police coverage. Hill asked if Chief Cambridge had to choose between a full-time officer or full-time Admin what would he choose, to which he replied: “he would hate to lose an officer, because an Admin cannot be put out on the street.” Cambridge added that an Admin would be able to write reports, tickets, and other duties, but an officer can also do Admin duties while being able to go out on patrol. Wood wanted to know what the difference in salary would be for an officer versus an Admin position. Furr added that even though the previous Admin was not given more than 13 hours per week worth of work, there should be more than enough work that can be done by an Admin, upwards of 30 hours per week.

LaBounty wondered when the due date for the FY26 budget was, to which Arneson stated the second week of January. She wanted to know if FEMA buyouts would affect the FY26 budget, to which he said no, not until the FY27 budget would we have to worry about buyouts. Miller wondered how Chief Cambridge was able to have a 40-hour per week volunteer in the Hinesburg Police Dept doing Admin work, to which he stated it was before his time as the Chief there, but yes, the person did work a 40-hour week as a volunteer. Bona replied to Wood’s query: “$51.72 per hour with benefits for an officer at the bottom of the grid with a two-person healthcare plan, and $26.08 per hour, for a 20-hour admin position, the admin person at 40 hours goes up to $39.78 per hour with benefits.” Harding wanted to know if a bonus for the Highway Department road crew for their work during the 2024 flooding was included in the budget, which Sander explained had not been determined yet. Cambridge added that with the present increases in thefts and crime going backward in terms of how many people to add to the Police department is not a good idea.

Bona suggested taking a loan for the Southview bridge when the time comes to construct it; alternately she suggested taking a lower amount for Conservation funds, which is budgeted to be $80,000 which may not need to be that high. Wood replied that the Conservation Fund doesn't affect this budget, it’s just voted on for a penny and should not be taken out of the budget. LaBounty feels that some charitable donations need to be taken out of the budget, to which Arneson and Hill explained what each different line-items is for, to which she countered that some titles should be changed to describe what each line contributes to. Heston went back to the conversation where they had suggested taking money out of the Admin side and moving it under charitable: Is that something you're still considering doing? To which Furr stated he was not in agreement with that. Arneson mentioned that the Town’s opioid funding has thus far been used for preventative measures primarily. LaBounty wanted an explanation on certain Planning and Zoning line items, which Oborne explained are all planned and accounted for, but he conceded that the contract services line could be halved. The electric vehicle charging station is going from $1,000 to $5,000 which Krohn explained was because the Library was the only place that they could install the charging station, but the charging station generates revenue as well.

Linn asked if the cost of Police vehicle maintenance was included in the hourly wage, which the answer was no. Arneson stated that currently Richmond has 4 police vehicles, it had 6 but sold 2. Bona injected that keeping a fourth vehicle would be important if we were going to budget for 3 ½ officers, as was discussed. Cambridge added that the Richmond cars have been driven regularly and oil changes and maintenance has been kept up to date, a fourth officer would warrant a fourth car, so he voted for keeping the fourth car. Hill wondered if the Police cruisers had winter tires all year, to which Cambridge said that all Police cruisers had studded snows put on every fall. LaBounty wanted to know if maintenance line items are taken care of on a yearly basis, particularly the Fire Dept, where Fire Chief Gile replied that the roof was recently repaired and there is a need for a new water line, which explains why that line item is $10,000. Hill wanted to know what the line item was for Town Center Building Maintenance, to which Arneson and Bona said that usually for that building, and maintenance is offset by revenue.

Wood reiterated that Chief Cambridge wanted another officer rather than an Admin person, so should another half of an officer be added back into the budget. When Arneson did that, the tax rate increase went up to 8.58%. Cambridge emphasized that having another officer allowed him more leeway in how to use that officer either for Admin work or out in the field. LaBounty argued that for two years now we have not had a fully staffed Police department. Wood wondered if we were still thinking about adding a full-time Admin that we shared with Hinesburg for Police. Filkins wondered if an Admin was even needed. Cambridge stated he is afraid of losing more officers in Hinesburg in the coming year because of budget cuts. Hill mentioned individual taxpayers who are on a fixed budget may be paying for things that they will not benefit from, like a new Fire truck. Bona said that Fire Dept expenses are large expenses and there is a new truck on order for FY27.

Gosselin explained that every wheeled machine that we've owned has three quarters of the payback on it, and that has been generated on Flood Repairs alone, “these machines pay for themselves.” Wood wanted to know why the Highway Department trades in machines after only six or seven years. Gosselin stated “we are not a profit business, so we can't roll profits back into repairs like SD Ireland and all the big contractors. We replace this equipment on a curve when it's going to give us the highest return on our investment. So we're getting about 60% back on these machines and trucks. Our trucks have a seven-year cycle because our warranties cover only seven years, which have found is best for the Town and this follows the budgeted line and is an aggressive replacement cycle to keep things working well for the taxpayers.” Hill wants contributions to Reserves to be looked at more closely. Arneson added that if we cut the Highway reserve now, it will be important to repay that in FY27. Bona said there is still the possibility of a loan for the purchase of equipment. LaBounty suggested that the Admin Assistant position for the Town be looked at and possibly taken away, because “do other Towns the size of Richmond have a Town Manager, an Assistant to the Town Manager and an Admin?”

Adjourn

Wood  moved to adjourn. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Sander, Hill, Furr, Miller, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Meeting adjourned at: 9:43 pm

Chat file from Zoom:
 

00:13:09          Patty Brushett: Do you have Richmond vehicle theft data?

00:52:07          Andrew Bessette:        did you budget  for fixing the town center. .Andy

01:20:15          Patty Brushett: Are you done talking about the police admin? I heard Jay make a proposal to have an admin for 30 hours.

01:28:58          Bonny Steuer (she/her):          I stand in strong support of at least a 30 hr person for police admin. Too much on the police officers plate and also, as Jay said, past use of admin is not an indication of future effective use. We now have an effective Chief.

Printable version

Special Selectboard Meeting Agenda for 12-9-24 70 KB

Web version

Special Meeting of the Town of Richmond Selectboard
December 9, 2024

Richmond Town Center Meeting Room, 3rd Floor – 203 Bridge Street, Richmond, VT. 
Meeting may also be joined online or by phone

Join Zoom Meeting Online: 
us02web.zoom.us/j/89398381772


Join by Phone:  +1 929 205 6099            Meeting ID: 893 9838 1772        Passcode: 864212

7:00 PM    1. Welcome and Public Comment: 
7:03 PM    2. Additions, Deletions, or Modifications to Agenda
7:05 PM    3. Items for Presentation or Discussion with those present

a)    Discussion of recent increase in break-ins # (30 min)
b)    Review of Employee Benefits Survey # (15 min)
c)    Review of draft FY26 Budget, including all departments and revenue # (60 min)

8:50 PM    4.  Adjourn

Time is available at each meeting for public comment. Documents related to this meeting are available at
www.richmondvt.gov/documents/selectboard-meeting-documents/    If you would like to schedule a time with the Board or need assistance to participate in the meeting, please call Josh Arneson, Richmond Town Manager at 434-5170 or email jarneson@richmondvt.gov.  Links to videos of Selectboard meetings can be found at mtmansfieldctv.org
*Denotes Action Item  # Indicates documents in the packet