MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 23, 2002
TOWN HALL – 7:30 P.M.
Members present: Pietal, Heitin, Atlas-Gordon, Bergeron, Bluestein, Fixler, Gillen, Goodman, Hearne, Sirkin, (Garza). Member absent: Tuck
1. Executive Secretary B. Puritz requested that $3,595.16 be transferred from the Reserve Fund to the Town Accountant to cover the midpoint between the Accountant’s salary and that of the Assistant Accountant while the Assistant assumes the Accountant’s duties during the Accountant’s extended medical leave. This amount was calculated for the period of July 1 to November 1 at a rate of $211.48 a week. Puritz mentioned the possibility of offsetting the expenses by combining sick leave and disability coverage. He also mentioned that part of the Accountant’s function was covered by additional use of a consultant. In reply to questions raised as to the additional compensation and as to the possible extension of the length of sick leave, Puritz explained that such compensation was a long term
practice and that sick leave was at the managerial discretion of the Selectmen. Fixler and Sirkin suggested that it was not the role of the Finance Committee to decide on the increase. Puritz reported that the time estimate was conservative and that there was only about $5,800 in the non-personnel lines in the Accountant’s budget. It was decided to postpone action on the request pending more knowledge about disability coverage and the length of the sick leave.
2. Puritz reported that the Town was billed $49,508 for unemployment costs for July and August, considerably more than the $18,348 average yearly cost for the last three years. Only $44,000 is left. He said that, if the trend continues, the fund will run out in six months. Fifteen school employees and one town employee are receiving payments. Bergeron urged reviewing the issue of labeling such accounts as “fixed and uncontrollable” and urged cost justification from management of the relevant departments.
3. Puritz expressed the belief that the Finance Committee had agreed in June to set aside the $550,899 state aid received in excess of projections. He asked for the Finance Committee opinion on whether to set the tax rate at the limit and set aside the additional funds or return the additional amount to the taxpayers.. He explained the uses of a stabilization fund and suggested it could be used to cover a potential 25% increase in health insurance. If the funds remained in free cash, they would not be available for two years. Some Finance Committee members saw this as an opportunity to now establish reserves while others thought the additional funds should be returned to the taxpayers. It was pointed out that the voters had approved an override by a narrow margin without the
knowledge of the additional funds. Many thought that the timing was poor and that a stabilization fund should have been established during better economic times. Moved and Seconded to not recommend a stabilization fund at this time and to apply the additional funds to the tax rate. Vote: 6-4-0
4. Moved and Seconded to recommend working with Priorities to establish policies and procedures for the stabilization fund. Vote: 8-1-1
5. The minutes of August 5 were accepted with the following change: Delete “Grasfield” from “members absent”. Vote: 5-0-5.
6. Assignment of liaisons was discussed.
7. At 9:40, Moved and Seconded to adjourn into Executive Session for purpose of discussing labor negotiations and not to return open session. Vote 10-0-0
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