FINANCE COMMITTEE

MINUTES – February 23 , 2004

TOWN HALL – 7:35 P.M.

 

Members present:  Pietal, Goodman, Miller, Tuck, Hitter, Feldman, Sydney

Absent: Members absent:  Heitin, Hearne, Goldberg, Fixler, Rose,

 

Approved Minutes of Meeting February 2, 2004 7-0-0

 

Reviewed Board of DPW’s Budget – Ben Puritz and Eric Hooper

 

1.      Plus 5.9% Budget

 

2.      Areas to Note

a.        Snow and Ice Budget

                                                   i.       $136,000 spent to date of $107,000 budgeted for ‘04

                                                 ii.      may receive some reimbursement from FEMA/MEMA for the 24hr storm where we spent $86,000

b.      Gas and Fuel – Gas and Diesel Budget

                                                   i.      FY ’03 actual high due to high snow and ice removal in FY ‘03

c.       Salary increases

d.      2% step increase and 3% merit increase

                                                   i.      last year – nothing but contracted increases were budgeted

e.       Positions in budget but currently vacant

                                                   i.      Town Engineer

                                                 ii.      Building/Construction Manager

f.        Total Number of Employees (DPW and Water Depts.) = 43

 

Reviewed Board of Water Department Budget – Ben Puritz and Eric Hooper

 

1. Areas to Note

a.       Revenues are generated from sale of water to town residents

b.      Expenses allocated to the water department must be for water department expenses only (not other DPW expenses)

c.       Excess revenues stay in Water Dept. for future projects

d.      Discussed the use of consultants vs. funding the Town Engineer and Building/Construction Manager positions

e.       Looked at 5781 Account – Water Division System Rehabilitation and Improvement

a.       FY ’04 - $966,000

b.      FY ’05 - $1,710,000

3.      Discrepancy found in balances in Water Surplus Account

a.       Mr. Hooper quoted a balance as of 7/1/03 to be approx. $2,100,000

b.      Mr. Goodman  noted that as of 6/30/03 the balance was $3,400.000

c.       Mr. Puritz suggested that he and Mr. Goodman check with the Accounting Department to determine why the difference exists between the 2 figures

4.      FY ’05 Projects Review

5.      Morse Street Water Main Replacement of A/C Pipe

6.      5460 Account – Construction Materials and Tools Account

a.       Mr. Hooper commended for not bundling these items and submitting a capital request

 

Reviewed Street Lighting Budget – Ben Puritz and Eric Hooper

  1. Areas to Note
    1. Discussed Cobra and Lollipop lights
    2. Maintenance and repair of  street lighting

 

 Next Finance Committee Meeting

  1. March 1, 2004
  2. Review Planning Board Budget
  3. Review Conservation Commission Budget