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MINUTES – JULY 15, 2002
TOWN HALL – 7:30 P.M.
Members present: Tuck, Pietal, Bergeron, Fixler, Gillen, Goodman, Hearne, Sirkin, (Garza). Members absent: Atlas-Gordon, Bluestein, Grasfield, Heitin
1. School Superintendent C. Jackson and Assistant Superintendent B. Dunham reviewed the format of and answered questions about each section of the finalized Fiscal 2003 School Department budget. Jackson said that they had been able to keep within the Fiscal 2002 budget by not funding professional development, not purchasing materials and supplies, and with assistance from staff and parents. She commented that they had done some professional development in-house.
2. Executive Secretary B. Puritz, accompanied by Selectman Garf, requested a transfer of the $190,980.47 balance in the Fiscal 2002 Reserve Fund to Health Insurance to improve the Health Insurance Claims Trust. The approximately $460,000 in the trust at the beginning of the year had been completely depleted. He expressed the belief that building up the trust was more important that having the Reserve Fund Balance go into Free Cash for future availability. Puritz reported 27% of Health Insurance participants to be retirees, but did not have a breakdown of schools vs. town.
3. Moved and Seconded to transfer $190,980.47 from the Reserve Fund to Health Insurance. Vote: 6-1-1
4. Puritz reported that savings in the Fiscal 2002 Police Department budget would allow for the purchase of three cars, two beyond what was budgeted. These savings resulted from not filling one position and two hires coming in at a lower step and with less education. Plans are to purchase two cars for the police and one for the Executive Secretary out of the police budget. Finance Committee members pointed out that voters expected the Police Department budget to be spent on the police. Puritz explained that budget restraints had caused the Police Chief to keep his car longer. Therefore, the custom of passing that car on to the Executive Secretary would result in Puritz receiving a car with higher mileage. He said that a car for the Executive Secretary was standard procedure. In answer to Sirkin’s concern about inadequate funding for the Police Department, Puritz said that the cars were to be purchased from the Fiscal 2002 budget. In answer to Fixler’s question, Puritz pointed
out that the Finance Committee’s authority was advisory.
5. Fixler distributed copies of a revised Finance Committee Mission statement. Bergeron advocated an expanded role for the Finance Committee, including the functions of capital and priorities. A discussion of the Finance Committee’s role, its advisory function, and an historical prospective ensued. It was decided to work on the draft mission statement by e-mail.
6. The minutes of June 24 were accepted. Vote: 7-0-1
7. The meeting adjourned 9:55.
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