FINANCE COMMITTEE

MINUTES – March 15, 2004

TOWN HALL – 7:50 P.M.

 

Members present:  Pietal, Heitin, Fixler, Goldberg, Goodman, Hearne, Hitter, Miller, Feldman, Rose

Members absent:  Sydney, Tuck

                                                       

 

Reviewed Finance Committee Sector Budget

 

1.      Moderator

2.      Finance Committee

a.       Unexpended funds due to unfilled position of secretary

b.      $190 to date

3.      Assessors

a.       $33,000 request to be acted on at next Priorities Committee Meeting

4.      Personnel Board

a.       Inactive due to a lack of quorum of members

                                                   i.      No money spent ‘04

                                                 ii.      Mr. Pietal will inquire and see what is needed

5.      Town Clerk

a.       All members agreed on the excellent performance of the Town Clerk

b.      Mr. Puritz and Mr. Grasfield noted the praise of the performance was duly deserved

c.       Other executive positions in town have been increased above the suggested 5% level based on recommendation of town administrator

d.      Finance Committee is in charge of elected officials – hence responsible for salary of Town Clerk

e.       Raises should reflect performance and comparable salaries in comparable towns

f.        Proposed increase of 5% will be held until final Fin Com allocation is known

 

6.      Conservation Committee

a.        FY ’05 numbers is more realistic than FY ‘04

b.      Greg Meister is not on town health plan

 

7.      Lake Management

a.        Fan wort remediation

                                                   i.      Last year’s appropriation and a needed Reserve Fund Transfer took care of maintenance for this year

 

8.      Planning Board

a.       Year to date – behind allocation in all categories through 3/10/04

9.      Board of Appeals

a.       Many hearings this year

b.      When litigation occurs – responsibility of cost transfers to the Selectmen’s budget

c.       Legal budget should be increased

d.      Hold and revisit

 

10.   Development and Industry

a.       $1 budget

b.      a larger discussion around the topic of the purpose and goals of this board should be scheduled

 

11.  Board of Health

a.       Level funded

b.      Legal budget

                                                   i.      Septic system cases

                                                 ii.      Revise regulations

 

12.  Library

a.       Has resubmitted roof repair item for consideration by Capital Outlay

b.      Electricity budget seemed low

c.       Grounds and maintenance - $8000

d.      $46,000 remain in an account funded since 1996

 

13.  Items to increase funding

a.       Town Clerk - salary

b.      Planning Board - salary

c.       Board of Appeals – legal

d.      Board of Health – salary for screenings

 

Other Business

 

1.      Capital Outlay Update

a.       Button Up the Wilbur School Estimate

                                                   i.       $101,644 voted

                                                 ii.      “secure not preserve” the building

                                                iii.      done by outside contractor – not the DPW

b.      Renovation vs. Replacement

                                                   i.      “icon” building

                                                 ii.       cost to tear down is approximately $1,000,000 - $2,000,000

                                                iii.      the costs associated with renovation  are close enough to justify saving the building

c.       Debt

                                                   i.       5.9%

                                                 ii.      3,200,000

d.      Extraordinary needs

                                                   i.      Buyout lease of Modular Classrooms at SMS - $769,000

                                                 ii.      Asbestos Removal at SMS - $602,00

e.       Review History of Wilbur School Project

                                                   i.      $1,272,500 spent

1.      $540,000 to buy back from developer

2.      $375,000 for design plans

                                                 ii.      Comments

1.      Mr. Hearne – We shouldn’t be so quick to tear it down

2.      Ms. Rose – What will be continuing costs after the “button up”?

3.      Mr. Goldberg – In it’s current state, the building is a liability to the town

4.      Mr. Hearne – The cost went from 14-16 million to 23 million

5.      Mr. Fixler – Even 14 million won’t happen

6.      Mr. Heitin – There should be an alternative plan, a Plan B

 

2.        Priorities Committee Update

a.       a 5% increase to operating budgets was agreed

b.      more is available

c.       the Health Insurance Trust Fund was discussed

d.      the following items were approved

                                                   i.      $550,000 to School Department to cover Special Education reimbursement shortfall from state funds

                                                 ii.      $77,000 to cover ambulance Fund shortfall

                                                iii.      $55,000 to fund parity increase to Fire Department salaries

e.       other items discussed but action deferred

                                                   i.      Teen Center request for $25,000

                                                 ii.      Health Insurance Budget – raise from 10% -15%

 

 

 

New Business

 

1. Approved Minutes of Meeting March 8, 2004 – [voted 10-0-0]

 

3.      Upcoming Committee Meetings

a.       March 16, 2004 – Selectmen’s Meeting

                                                   i.      Community Preservation Act

b.      March 17, 2004 – School Committee Meeting

                                                   i.      Preliminary budget

c.       March 17, 2004 – Finance Committee / Nominating Committee

                                                               i.      Members up for reelection - Heitin, Tuck, Rose, Goldberg