TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2012
VOL. 20 NO. 203
BERLIN, N.H.
752-5858
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Stage is set for Saturday’s county budget meeting BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
LANCASTER – The county delegation will meet this Saturday to vote on a 2012 county budget and the stage is set for a healthy debate on the level of funding. The delegation held a special public hearing Friday to go over changes in the budget proposed by the county commissioners last December. At that time, the commission presented a budget of $31.51 million. The commission has since approved $170,575 in added appropriations to bring the total requested budget up to $31.68 million, which represents a 2.5 percent increase over the current budget. The budget does not include $10,150 in requests from the county attorney and victim witness advocate that the commission left to the delegation to decide. At the same time, the commission increased revenue projections by $300,000. As a result, the amount
to be raised by taxes actually decreased, from 8.8 percent to 7.7 percent. County Administrator Sue Collins spent about two hours Friday reviewing the changes with the delegation and public Friday. Collins explained that by law, the commissioners are required to issuea proposed budget in early December when the fiscal year is still on-going. She said that forces the commission and administration to rely on estimates in putting together a budget. By the time the delegation meets in March to vote on a final budget, Collins said the books on the previous year’s budget are closed and actual figures are available. Commissioner Burnham Judd said it would make more sense for the county budget hearing to be held in February. Rep. Herb Richardson and Rep. John Tholl both said they will try to get the legislation passed to allow the commission to present its budget later. Collins pointed out the negotiations on a new one
year contract with the two unions that represent corrections employees and Berlin nursing home employees are concluded. The union membership is set to vote on the contracts this week and the commission will vote on them just prior to the start of the budget hearing Saturday. Based on the contract, there will be no cost of living increase for all county employees including both union and non-union. Collins said employees eligible for step increases will receive those increases. Richardson asked if step increases are given to both union and non-union employees. Collins explained the county has a 10-step schedule that covers all hourly employees. Employees must receive successful annual reviews to receive the step increases which max out at ten years of service. Tholl said the step increases are part of the compensation package outlined when employees are see STAGE page 6
Efforts on-going to assist displaced Isaacson workers
Read Across America
BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
Students at Brown School celebrated Dr. Suess Day at a Read Across America Day Friday, March 2. The students enjoyed many special activities and events.
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BERLIN – Efforts continue to assist workers at Isaacson Structural Steel as the bankrupt company ceases operations. Over 60 employees were laid off last Wednesday and the remaining 40 or so are being terminated over the next several weeks as the company wraps up outstanding work. The company was auctioned off last Wednesday with a group of three companies submitting the highest bid of $2.4 million. The sale must still be approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manchester at a hearing scheduled for Wednesday. N.E. Employment Security Business Services Representative Diana Nelson said the state’s Rapid Response team met with employees on Feb. 23 to outline the various services available. Workers heard about assistance and training services offered through Employment Security, Health and Human Services, White Mountains Community College, AHEAD, N.H. Vocational Services, and Southern N.H. Services, That was followed on Feb. 27 with a orientation on the Trade Adjustment Act benefits available because the bankruptcy of both Isaacson Steel and Isaacson Structural Steel have been ruled the result of foreign competition. Two additional Trade Act orisee EFFORTS page 9