Angry Belknap Commission wrestles with ways to accept budget cuts without significant layoffs
Written by Roger Amsden
LACONIA — Belknap County Commissioners, struggling to come to terms with a 2013 county budget that is now $600,000 less than they requested, reviewed a proposed list of budget transfer requests when it met Wednesday morning that would limit the total number of layoffs in county departments to just two.
''These cuts will allow us to operate,'' said County Administrator Debra Shackett, whose proposal included cutting two full-time positions in the activities department at the Belknap County Nursing Home. She said that many long-needed items would have to be dropped from the recommended spending plan, including two new cruisers for the Sheriff's Department, along with maintenance projects.
Simply put, the Belknap County Convention did not allocate enough money to cover the level of health insurance the county is obligated to pay for each employee. If transfers are not allowed into the health insurance accounts, the primary option would appear to be layoffs to get the number of employees down to a level where each receives the required level of benefit.
No mention was made at the meeting as to how many layoffs would be necessary if the requested transfers are not approved by the convention.
Shackett told commissioners that she had worked all day Tuesday with County Finance Officer Glen Waring to come up with a list of spending reductions totaling $198,606 and budget transfers of $258,606 in the $26.2-million budget that was approved by the convention Monday night.
She said the recommendations were based on the premise that there would be no merit pay raises for anyone but that all contractually agreed upon benefits would remain intact.
Among the major transfers from the delegation's approved budget would be $48,107 from the $202,000 contingency fund, $25,000 from the Probation and Diversion Division for Drug and Alcohol Services, $20,000 from outside agencies; $17,500 from the County Attorney's office — for dropping a part-time position conversion to full-time, $15,000 in overtime from the Sheriff's Department, and $6,900 from the Corrections Department by elimination of the farm program.
Major transfer requests would include $68,315 to the Corrections Department, $52,000 of which would be for a full-time position; $56,650 for the Nursing Department at the County Home and $41,729 for county administration.
Shackett said that the the commissioners could make the transfer requests of the county convention next Monday if the delegation still intends to meet on that date.
But Commissioner Ed Philpot said that he would like to see the plan further fine-tuned before approaching the convention and wondered if there had been any approach to the unions representing county employees on whether their members would voluntarily accept contract modifications which would lower health care costs to the county, possibly through a short-term modified contract.
''Every option should be on the table on potential negotiations with the unions,'' said Philpot, who later said that he was reluctant to approach the convention as early as next week with any proposals for the transfer of funds.
The convention and commission have been at odds over who has line item control over each and every item in the county budget, with the delegation asserting that it does have that power while the commission believes that authority is limited to the broad subtotals that largely define departments, such as the nursing home.
Commission Chairman John Thomas has told the delegation that their actions may result in legal action over that issue.
Commissioner Steve Nedeau said that he, too, was loathe to approach the convention at this time. He added that he could envision a scenario in which the convention would say ''thank you for your input'' and then deny any requests for budget transfers, triggering widespread layoffs.
Shackett said that in the event the delegation denies the transfer requests a Plan B would be developed which would involve layoffs in order to stay within the individual line items of each department's budget.
Thomas said that would mean ''going down that nasty, rutty road'' of layoffs and more contention between the commission and delegation.
''It appalls me. I'm dismayed about the way the delegation has acted towards us. I've never seen anything like this in the 40 years I've been involved in government.''
Thomas said he was frustrated by what he sees as the delegation's determination to cut the budget without weighing the consequences or seeking input from the commission or the departments affected by the cuts.
''We couldn't even get them to consider the cost items in the contracts we negotiated with the unions until public pressure forced them to,'' said Thomas.
Shackett said that the convention had made changes to the budget which they know will cause layoffs but has adopted a stance of trying to keep their hands clean and place all of the blame on the commissioners.
''They want to cut money but don't want to be responsible for the cuts. They want to put that on you without giving you the ability to do your jobs,'' said Shackett, who said that in the case of the Department of Corrections, the convention had ''cut $52,000 without knowing what they were doing.''
Shackett said that she and Waring will work to come up with a so-called Plan B in the event the delegation won't approve the requested transfers.
''I have no confidence that the delegation is going to agree to anything we put forward,'' said Thomas.
Commissioners agreed to meet in a work session next Wednesday on how to manage the budget they have been presented with.
''These cuts will allow us to operate,'' said County Administrator Debra Shackett, whose proposal included cutting two full-time positions in the activities department at the Belknap County Nursing Home. She said that many long-needed items would have to be dropped from the recommended spending plan, including two new cruisers for the Sheriff's Department, along with maintenance projects.
Simply put, the Belknap County Convention did not allocate enough money to cover the level of health insurance the county is obligated to pay for each employee. If transfers are not allowed into the health insurance accounts, the primary option would appear to be layoffs to get the number of employees down to a level where each receives the required level of benefit.
No mention was made at the meeting as to how many layoffs would be necessary if the requested transfers are not approved by the convention.
Shackett told commissioners that she had worked all day Tuesday with County Finance Officer Glen Waring to come up with a list of spending reductions totaling $198,606 and budget transfers of $258,606 in the $26.2-million budget that was approved by the convention Monday night.
She said the recommendations were based on the premise that there would be no merit pay raises for anyone but that all contractually agreed upon benefits would remain intact.
Among the major transfers from the delegation's approved budget would be $48,107 from the $202,000 contingency fund, $25,000 from the Probation and Diversion Division for Drug and Alcohol Services, $20,000 from outside agencies; $17,500 from the County Attorney's office — for dropping a part-time position conversion to full-time, $15,000 in overtime from the Sheriff's Department, and $6,900 from the Corrections Department by elimination of the farm program.
Major transfer requests would include $68,315 to the Corrections Department, $52,000 of which would be for a full-time position; $56,650 for the Nursing Department at the County Home and $41,729 for county administration.
Shackett said that the the commissioners could make the transfer requests of the county convention next Monday if the delegation still intends to meet on that date.
But Commissioner Ed Philpot said that he would like to see the plan further fine-tuned before approaching the convention and wondered if there had been any approach to the unions representing county employees on whether their members would voluntarily accept contract modifications which would lower health care costs to the county, possibly through a short-term modified contract.
''Every option should be on the table on potential negotiations with the unions,'' said Philpot, who later said that he was reluctant to approach the convention as early as next week with any proposals for the transfer of funds.
The convention and commission have been at odds over who has line item control over each and every item in the county budget, with the delegation asserting that it does have that power while the commission believes that authority is limited to the broad subtotals that largely define departments, such as the nursing home.
Commission Chairman John Thomas has told the delegation that their actions may result in legal action over that issue.
Commissioner Steve Nedeau said that he, too, was loathe to approach the convention at this time. He added that he could envision a scenario in which the convention would say ''thank you for your input'' and then deny any requests for budget transfers, triggering widespread layoffs.
Shackett said that in the event the delegation denies the transfer requests a Plan B would be developed which would involve layoffs in order to stay within the individual line items of each department's budget.
Thomas said that would mean ''going down that nasty, rutty road'' of layoffs and more contention between the commission and delegation.
''It appalls me. I'm dismayed about the way the delegation has acted towards us. I've never seen anything like this in the 40 years I've been involved in government.''
Thomas said he was frustrated by what he sees as the delegation's determination to cut the budget without weighing the consequences or seeking input from the commission or the departments affected by the cuts.
''We couldn't even get them to consider the cost items in the contracts we negotiated with the unions until public pressure forced them to,'' said Thomas.
Shackett said that the convention had made changes to the budget which they know will cause layoffs but has adopted a stance of trying to keep their hands clean and place all of the blame on the commissioners.
''They want to cut money but don't want to be responsible for the cuts. They want to put that on you without giving you the ability to do your jobs,'' said Shackett, who said that in the case of the Department of Corrections, the convention had ''cut $52,000 without knowing what they were doing.''
Shackett said that she and Waring will work to come up with a so-called Plan B in the event the delegation won't approve the requested transfers.
''I have no confidence that the delegation is going to agree to anything we put forward,'' said Thomas.
Commissioners agreed to meet in a work session next Wednesday on how to manage the budget they have been presented with.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 March 2013 21:56
Hits: 268
For next few year, nearly all Laconia school improvements will focus on safety
Written by Gail Ober
LACONIA — After meeting in a hours-long budget session last month, School Board members decided that small improvement plans over the next four years including this school year should be focused primarily on safety said board member Malcolm Murray at a Facilities Committee meeting last night.
The committee, which met during the hour before the School Board meeting, discussed the each safety item identified in the "four-year look ahead" and asked the administration to readjust the strategic plan to reflect the School Board's safety priorities.
School District Business Administrator Ed Emond said the capital strategic plan was developed before the recent school shootings in Newtown, Conn. and before the School Board's priorities were set at "Super Saturday."
Including in the look-ahead over the next four years are security cameras for all five schools — including inside security cameras at two area elementary schools, panic alarms in all three elementary school, and interior classroom locks in city schools except the Middle School and Woodland Heights. The Middle School is new and already equipped and Woodland Heights is now on track for a panic room, which was moved forward from 2014-2015.
Some of the aforementioned items — including the panic alarms — were budgeted for next year but the hope is that as the school year progresses the district would be able to pay for them and other safety concerns from existing school budget.
Taking a back seat to security items this year and next could be landscaping at Elm Street School, a walking path and a fence around the Dumpster at Pleasant Street School, and some upgrades to the kitchen and bathrooms at the SAU office — all tentatively scheduled for 2013-2014 budget year.
Also taken from the 2012-2013 priority list are roof repairs at Pleasant Street School that Emond said are needed but not critical, an auto scrubber for the Middle School, and some tree removal at Elm Street School.
Also on the priority list for next year that the district hopes to move to this year are $36,000 for internal door locks at the Laconia High School. Right now, according to the administration, each classroom door must be locked from the outside and cannot be locked from the inside.
Emond said there are 101 doors in the high school that should be fitted and each lock costs about $300. He said the locks would be designed such that every teacher and administrator has a master key and can lock the inside of every classroom regardless of where they are teaching.
The subcommittee also wants improvements to the cameras around the perimeter of the schools. While there are external cameras now, the resolution is such that faces and license plates cannot be read from many of them.
Emond said he would take the suggestion of the Facilities Committee to the Safety Team — comprised of educators, administrators, and representatives from the police, fire and public works departments and solicit their opinions today.
He said the district will have a revised strategic plan for the Facilities Committee for presentation at 6 p.m. March 19. If approved by the Facilities Committee the revised plan would go to the Budget and Personnel Subcommittee and then to the full board for action.
The committee, which met during the hour before the School Board meeting, discussed the each safety item identified in the "four-year look ahead" and asked the administration to readjust the strategic plan to reflect the School Board's safety priorities.
School District Business Administrator Ed Emond said the capital strategic plan was developed before the recent school shootings in Newtown, Conn. and before the School Board's priorities were set at "Super Saturday."
Including in the look-ahead over the next four years are security cameras for all five schools — including inside security cameras at two area elementary schools, panic alarms in all three elementary school, and interior classroom locks in city schools except the Middle School and Woodland Heights. The Middle School is new and already equipped and Woodland Heights is now on track for a panic room, which was moved forward from 2014-2015.
Some of the aforementioned items — including the panic alarms — were budgeted for next year but the hope is that as the school year progresses the district would be able to pay for them and other safety concerns from existing school budget.
Taking a back seat to security items this year and next could be landscaping at Elm Street School, a walking path and a fence around the Dumpster at Pleasant Street School, and some upgrades to the kitchen and bathrooms at the SAU office — all tentatively scheduled for 2013-2014 budget year.
Also taken from the 2012-2013 priority list are roof repairs at Pleasant Street School that Emond said are needed but not critical, an auto scrubber for the Middle School, and some tree removal at Elm Street School.
Also on the priority list for next year that the district hopes to move to this year are $36,000 for internal door locks at the Laconia High School. Right now, according to the administration, each classroom door must be locked from the outside and cannot be locked from the inside.
Emond said there are 101 doors in the high school that should be fitted and each lock costs about $300. He said the locks would be designed such that every teacher and administrator has a master key and can lock the inside of every classroom regardless of where they are teaching.
The subcommittee also wants improvements to the cameras around the perimeter of the schools. While there are external cameras now, the resolution is such that faces and license plates cannot be read from many of them.
Emond said he would take the suggestion of the Facilities Committee to the Safety Team — comprised of educators, administrators, and representatives from the police, fire and public works departments and solicit their opinions today.
He said the district will have a revised strategic plan for the Facilities Committee for presentation at 6 p.m. March 19. If approved by the Facilities Committee the revised plan would go to the Budget and Personnel Subcommittee and then to the full board for action.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 06 March 2013 03:44
Hits: 113
N.H. Senate president attaches bitter pill to bill aimed at thwarting state school sale
Written by Michael Kitch
CONCORD — A bill to forestall the process for selling the former Laconia State School property off North Main Street in Laconia was amended in the Senate Finance Committee yesterday, making it less palatable to its supporters in the House of Representatives.
Senate Bill 19, sponsored by Senator Jim Rausch (R-Derry), who is opposed to selling the property, would repeal the rider attached to the 2012-2013 state budget prescribing the process currently underway for marketing the site and, by implication, apply the normal procedure set forth by statute to the disposition of the site.
Senator Peter Bragdon (R-Milford), the president of the Senate, said yesterday "I'm not a big fan of the bill, but it appeared there were enough votes in the Senate to pass it."
To lengthen the odds against the bill carrying the House, Bragdon amended it to include the elimination of one of three toll booths on the Everett Turnpike in Merrimack, one of the four towns in his Senate district. While residents of Merrimack have clamored for eliminating the tolls for years, the Legislature, unwilling to forego the revenue to the turnpike fund, has steadfastly refused.
Bragdon remarked that the amendment will be particularly unwelcome to Representatives Gene Chandler (R-Bartlett), the House MInority Leader, as well as Dave Campbell (D-Nashua), chairman of the House Public Works and Highways Committee, and two prominent members of his committee Candace Bouchard (D-Concord) and John Graham (R-Bedford).
"It's not a poison pill," Bragdon said. "That would kill them. But it's a bad tasting pill that will make them swallow hard."
Alongside Rausch, Chandler has sought to stall, if not scuttle, the sale of the state school property. He claims that the process by which the property was first offered for sale was less than transparent and has suggested "some of us think this is about Laconia getting it for less than it's worth."
In 2011 the Legislature, at the initiative of the Senate, directed the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to offer the property to the city for $10-million and, if the city declined, to offer it to Belknap County at "fair market value." If neither the city nor the county accepted the offer, the department was instructed to sell the property on the open market. The city declined the offer of $10-million, but when the state appraised the property at $2.16-million submitted a counter-offer to buy it at that price. The counter-offer was refused, the county declined and when the property was placed on the market the city withdrew its offer.
The state is now is the process of trying to find a buyer for the property.
SB-19 would cut short this process and revert to the procedure prescribed by statute, which vests considerable authority in the Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee. Dominated by legislators, the committee must find a property is "no longer needed by the state" before recommending its sale.
Meanwhile, Senator Chuck Morse (R-Salem), the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and principal architect of the move to sell the site, said that he prefers to follow the process to its conclusion rather than refer the issue to the Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee, which he suspects would shelve the sale of the property. He has often described the site as "a money pit" and once told Chandler "I'm not putting a dime into this property."
Senate Bill 19, sponsored by Senator Jim Rausch (R-Derry), who is opposed to selling the property, would repeal the rider attached to the 2012-2013 state budget prescribing the process currently underway for marketing the site and, by implication, apply the normal procedure set forth by statute to the disposition of the site.
Senator Peter Bragdon (R-Milford), the president of the Senate, said yesterday "I'm not a big fan of the bill, but it appeared there were enough votes in the Senate to pass it."
To lengthen the odds against the bill carrying the House, Bragdon amended it to include the elimination of one of three toll booths on the Everett Turnpike in Merrimack, one of the four towns in his Senate district. While residents of Merrimack have clamored for eliminating the tolls for years, the Legislature, unwilling to forego the revenue to the turnpike fund, has steadfastly refused.
Bragdon remarked that the amendment will be particularly unwelcome to Representatives Gene Chandler (R-Bartlett), the House MInority Leader, as well as Dave Campbell (D-Nashua), chairman of the House Public Works and Highways Committee, and two prominent members of his committee Candace Bouchard (D-Concord) and John Graham (R-Bedford).
"It's not a poison pill," Bragdon said. "That would kill them. But it's a bad tasting pill that will make them swallow hard."
Alongside Rausch, Chandler has sought to stall, if not scuttle, the sale of the state school property. He claims that the process by which the property was first offered for sale was less than transparent and has suggested "some of us think this is about Laconia getting it for less than it's worth."
In 2011 the Legislature, at the initiative of the Senate, directed the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to offer the property to the city for $10-million and, if the city declined, to offer it to Belknap County at "fair market value." If neither the city nor the county accepted the offer, the department was instructed to sell the property on the open market. The city declined the offer of $10-million, but when the state appraised the property at $2.16-million submitted a counter-offer to buy it at that price. The counter-offer was refused, the county declined and when the property was placed on the market the city withdrew its offer.
The state is now is the process of trying to find a buyer for the property.
SB-19 would cut short this process and revert to the procedure prescribed by statute, which vests considerable authority in the Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee. Dominated by legislators, the committee must find a property is "no longer needed by the state" before recommending its sale.
Meanwhile, Senator Chuck Morse (R-Salem), the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and principal architect of the move to sell the site, said that he prefers to follow the process to its conclusion rather than refer the issue to the Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee, which he suspects would shelve the sale of the property. He has often described the site as "a money pit" and once told Chandler "I'm not putting a dime into this property."
Last Updated on Wednesday, 06 March 2013 03:39
Hits: 113
Francouer-Babcock Memorial Basketball Tourney turns 20 & volunteer effort is still as strong as ever
Written by Roger Amsden
GILFORD — A youth basketball tournament which was started as a tribute to Gilford Middle School student Aaron T. Francoeur, who died of leukemia in the summer of 1993 at the age of 13, marks its 20th anniversary when it opens today at Gilford Middle School.
During those 20 years the tourney has raised over $100,000 in scholarships for Gilford High School graduates, assisting over 100 students according to Tom Francoeur, Aaron's father, who says that the success of the tournament can be traced to the original idea that it should be both simple and fun.
''I'm amazed. You'd think that after five years it would have run its course and people would have lost their enthusiasm. But it hasn't. People keep coming back year after year and that's what's so rewarding for me. It's really become a part of the community,'' says Francoeur.
He says that some of the same people who were there for the first tournament, like Laconia High School athletic director Jim Chase, who has officiated games ever since 1994; Gilford High School nurse Meg Jenkins, former Parks and Recreation Director Sue King, Bob Gunther, long-time scorekeeper and former Selectman and former Gilford Rotary Club president Larry Routhier.
''Larry saves up his change all year and brings it in as a donation. Some years that's well over $200,'' says Francoeur, who marvels that many people who played in the tournament as youngsters return to help out in the tournament.
Among those who helped organize the first tournament was Jim Babcock, long-time guidance counselor at Laconia Middle School.
Babcock recalls that he was active in recreational league basketball in Gilford at that time and that he and others felt the need to do something to help the Francouer family get through the tragedy and thought that the tournament would be a good way to memorialize Aaron's love of basketball.
Little did he realize that some day his own son, Nathan, would be memorialized in the name of the same tournament.
''Nate played in the tournament all four years that he was in the rec league,'' says Babcock, who says that after his son was diagnosed with cancer while finishing high school in 2004 he continued to be active in the tournament and officiated games in 2005 while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
He died in September of 2005 and his name was added to the title of the tournament in 2006.
The five-day tournament features 12 teams in three brackets, with ages ranging from third to sixth grade and from the towns of Belmont, Gilford, Gilmanton, Laconia, Sanbornton and Tilton/Northfield..
It's the seventh tournament for Gilford's Parks and Recreation department Director Herb Greene, who says that as many as 70 volunteers, including 15 different referees, will be taking part this year.
''It's really a great tournament and it's popular because of it's philosophy, which focuses on sportsmanship and team play. There's the Hustle Award, which goes not to he best athlete but the player who gives 110 percent of themselves.''
He says that the all-tournament team is based on sportsmanship and that one player from each team is honored.
''There's a great atmosphere in the gym. The players are cheered for their effort and everyone really has a good time,'' says Greene.
''There are a lot of dedicated people who make this possible and that's quite a tribute to the community.'' says Greene.
CAPTION: slugged Francouer
Jim Babcock, Gilford Parks and Recreation Director Herb Greene and Tom Francoeur have been working to put together the 20th annual Francouer-Babcock Memorial Basketball Tournament which opens today at Gilford Middle School. The tourney concludes on Sunday. Greene is holding a framed Gilford rec league jersey worn back in the early 90s by one of the two young men the tournament honors each year, Aaron Francouer. Aaron died of leukemia at age 13. The tournaments other namesake, Nathan Babock died of cancer soon after he graduated from Gilford High School. (Roger Amsden photo for the Laconia Daily Sun)
During those 20 years the tourney has raised over $100,000 in scholarships for Gilford High School graduates, assisting over 100 students according to Tom Francoeur, Aaron's father, who says that the success of the tournament can be traced to the original idea that it should be both simple and fun.
''I'm amazed. You'd think that after five years it would have run its course and people would have lost their enthusiasm. But it hasn't. People keep coming back year after year and that's what's so rewarding for me. It's really become a part of the community,'' says Francoeur.
He says that some of the same people who were there for the first tournament, like Laconia High School athletic director Jim Chase, who has officiated games ever since 1994; Gilford High School nurse Meg Jenkins, former Parks and Recreation Director Sue King, Bob Gunther, long-time scorekeeper and former Selectman and former Gilford Rotary Club president Larry Routhier.
''Larry saves up his change all year and brings it in as a donation. Some years that's well over $200,'' says Francoeur, who marvels that many people who played in the tournament as youngsters return to help out in the tournament.
Among those who helped organize the first tournament was Jim Babcock, long-time guidance counselor at Laconia Middle School.
Babcock recalls that he was active in recreational league basketball in Gilford at that time and that he and others felt the need to do something to help the Francouer family get through the tragedy and thought that the tournament would be a good way to memorialize Aaron's love of basketball.
Little did he realize that some day his own son, Nathan, would be memorialized in the name of the same tournament.
''Nate played in the tournament all four years that he was in the rec league,'' says Babcock, who says that after his son was diagnosed with cancer while finishing high school in 2004 he continued to be active in the tournament and officiated games in 2005 while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
He died in September of 2005 and his name was added to the title of the tournament in 2006.
The five-day tournament features 12 teams in three brackets, with ages ranging from third to sixth grade and from the towns of Belmont, Gilford, Gilmanton, Laconia, Sanbornton and Tilton/Northfield..
It's the seventh tournament for Gilford's Parks and Recreation department Director Herb Greene, who says that as many as 70 volunteers, including 15 different referees, will be taking part this year.
''It's really a great tournament and it's popular because of it's philosophy, which focuses on sportsmanship and team play. There's the Hustle Award, which goes not to he best athlete but the player who gives 110 percent of themselves.''
He says that the all-tournament team is based on sportsmanship and that one player from each team is honored.
''There's a great atmosphere in the gym. The players are cheered for their effort and everyone really has a good time,'' says Greene.
''There are a lot of dedicated people who make this possible and that's quite a tribute to the community.'' says Greene.
CAPTION: slugged Francouer
Jim Babcock, Gilford Parks and Recreation Director Herb Greene and Tom Francoeur have been working to put together the 20th annual Francouer-Babcock Memorial Basketball Tournament which opens today at Gilford Middle School. The tourney concludes on Sunday. Greene is holding a framed Gilford rec league jersey worn back in the early 90s by one of the two young men the tournament honors each year, Aaron Francouer. Aaron died of leukemia at age 13. The tournaments other namesake, Nathan Babock died of cancer soon after he graduated from Gilford High School. (Roger Amsden photo for the Laconia Daily Sun)
Last Updated on Wednesday, 06 March 2013 03:13
Hits: 172
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