Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – March 11, 2013

Town Hall, Lower Level Hearing Room, 7:30 P.M.

Members Present:  William Brack, Arnold Cohen (late), Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman, (late),

                               Alexander Korin, Ira Miller, Edward Philips (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Brian Fitzgerald, Laura Nelson

1. There were members of the Boy Scouts who were at the meeting to see government at work.

2. The first item on the agenda was to review the Fire Department’s budget with Chief James Wright.

3. Chief James Wright gave a short overview.  There was a 2% increase in the overall budget primarily in personnel costs.  Most are contractual obligations.  Overtime items are based on salary, time off for backfill, and cover for emergency situations.  Radio maintenance went down.  Increased fuel costs.  Medical supplies.  Ambulance fees for cardiac monitor and stretchers. The total budget was $2.9M.

4. There was considerable discussion on this budget especially regarding the Norfolk Dispatch Center and how the 911 calls work.  The Fire Department raised rates for emergency services, but it still doesn’t cover all the costs.

5. The next item on the agenda was to review the Police Department’s budget with Chief Joseph Bernstein.

6. Chief Joseph Bernstein reported that they have the same amount of personnel.  School Department gives $60,000 for School Resource Officer.  Increased overtime by $3,000.  $14,000 below what it was two years ago.  Increased training by $8,000.  Increased gas cost by $10,000.  The total budget was $3.98M.

7. There was much discussion on the Police Department’s budget.  Two major town events cost the department $10,000.  They may have to have officers paid by the proceeds from the event in the future.

8. There was some discussion about merit increases as well as 2% salary increase.

9. Ben Puritz stated that the Board of Selectmen reinstituted the merit pool in the amount of $13,000 for FY’13 continuing into FY’14, to be awarded to qualified department heads with a performance review by the Personnel Board.

10. There was some discussion regarding an update on articles for the Warrant.  Ben Puritz mentioned the Assisted Living and waste water treatment facility and a placeholder article for Rattlesnake Hill and Brickstone.  Other items were free cash and the annual audit.  They still need more experience on health insurance claims to know how it is trending.

11. Ira Miller mentioned that the DPW will be at the next meeting and will probably need a Reserve Fund Transfer due to storms.

12. A speedy recovery to Laura Nelson who has been under the weather.

13. The next item was to approve previous minutes.

14. A MOTION was made by Alex Korin and SECONDED by Arnie Cohen to approve the minutes of February 25, 2013.

15. VOTED:  6-0-1.  For:  Brack, Cohen, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Philips.  Abstain:  Gladstone.

16. The next meeting will be on March 18, 2013.

17. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

18. VOTED:  7-0-0.

19. The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.