MINUTES – DECEMBER 9, 2002
TOWN HALL – 7:30 P.M.
Members present: Tuck, Grasfield, Bergeron, Bluestein, Gillen, Goodman, Hearne, Sirkin, (Garza). Members absent: Atlas-Gordon, Fixler, Heitin, Pietal.
1. Tuck reported a letter from Town resident J. Heller asking that the Library be considered as part of the educational system. Library Director K. Roberson, accompanied by members of the Library Board of Trustees, reported that only a 3.9% increased
Fiscal 2004 library budget, or $660,525, would allow the library to remain certified. Loss of certification would result in the loss of state aid of about $17,000, ineligibility for library construction grants and the loss of some library services including interlibrary loans, patrons’ borrowing books from other libraries and access to some internet databases. He told the Committee that the state had appropriated money for library building. Roberson explained that the level and plus budgets maintain staffing levels. All budgets cut books. Only one-half hour can be cut and remain certified. The negative budget would result in 23 hours of service, inadequate staffed desks and less customer service. The custodian, the director, assistant director and one department head do administrative work on
Mondays. He explained that maintenance includes outside maintenance and materials. Even with the loss of certification, he would maintain membership in the Old Colony Network to access that database. He stated that the library gets 5% of Amazon.com when ordered through the library web site.
2. Roberson distributed copies of a position statement requested by the Selectmen. Tuck remarked on the number of unfunded state mandates, such as the library mandates. Bluestein suggested reducing the amount in the Fiscal 2004 Reserve Fund and transferring the amount to the Library budget. Bergeron pointed out that this was not an unforeseen expense and contrary to established Priorites policy. Sirkin suggested petitioning the Selectmen and other town committees to petition the state regarding mandates.
3. Executive Secretary B. Puritz and School Superintendent C. Jackson requested a transfer of $40,000 from the Reserve Fund to Unemployment Insurance. Puritz explained that the $90,000 expenditure to date was five times the annual expenditure of the last three years. In answer to Tuck’s question as to why the cost was going up, Puritz said that it takes time to get claims approved and Jackson said that some school employees terminated as of July expected to be hired back or find new employment. Jackson reported that positions eliminated from the schools included academic aides, nursing aids and on half of a plumber’s position. She added that the override budget was less than required for a maintenance of effort. Grasfield suggested that, considering discussions in the spring, this was
not an unforeseen expense. Tuck expressed the need to meet the Town’s unemployment obligations. At the pre-Town Meeting all had agreed on the $50,000 unemployment budget. Goodman expressed reluctance to make a Reserve Fund transfer based on an estimate, preferring to transfer an exact amount as needed. Puritz urged an amount sufficient to get through the next bill.
4. Moved and Seconded to transfer $25,000 from the Reserve Fund to Unemployment Insurance. Vote: 6-1-1
5. Puritz reported working on a disbursement from disability insurance for the Town Account’s medical leave.
6. The minutes of November 18 were approved. Vote: 5-0-3
7. The minutes of November 25 were approved. Vote: 5-0-3
8. The minutes of December 2 were approved. Vote: 5-0-3
9. Tuck reported correspondence from the Assistant Town Engineer regarding sidewalk construction. It was decided to discuss this as part of the DPW capital outlay.
10. It was suggested to recommend to Priorities that the Fiscal 2004 Reserve Fund be reduced in order to adequately fund the library. Hearne agreed that the FinCom should advocate for the Library, but thought a sufficient Reserve Fund amount was needed. Sirkin said that it might open it up to other departments that need more funding. Gillen advocated a separate Reserve Fund analysis. There was considerable discussion about departmentalizing the items identified as “fixed and uncontrollable”.
11. Hearne reported that the schools presented a working copy of their Fiscal 2004 budget to the budget subcommittee. It did not include the lastest priorities figures nor teachers’ salary increases. Expected increases included transportation, SPED, fuel, and contracted services.
12 The meeting adjourned at 9:35.
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