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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-05 Finance Committee Minutes Finance Committee Meeting June 5, 2012 For ease of archiving, the order that items appear in these minutes reflects the order in which the items appeared on the agenda for that meeting, and are not necessarily the order in which any item was taken up by the Board. The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Chairman Stephen Goldy, Vice Chairman Ben Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Tafoya, Secretary Richard Schubert, Selectmen John Arena and James Bonazoli , Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Office Manager Paula Schena, Finance Committee members David Greenfield, Paula Perry, Jeanne Borawski, Hal Torman and Mark Dockser; Assessors Ralph Colorusso, Fred McGrane, and Robert Quinn; and the following list of interested parties: Bob Nordstrand, Pat Sullivan, Michael Cashins and Kevin Douglas. Joint Meeting with the Finance Committee re: Funding of Assessor’s Re-Inspections – Finance Committee members David Greenfield, Paula Perry, Jeanne Borawski, Hal Torman and Mark Dockser were present. FinCom Chairman David Greenfield called the Finance Committee to order. Assessors Ralph Colorusso, Fred McGrane and Robert Quinn were present. The Town Manager indicated that he is asking the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee to approve a substantial amount of money to make the transition from CAMA. Bob LeLacheur noted that between May 1 and July 15 the Selectmen and Finance Committee can vote to transfer a maximum of 3% from the department’s budget that the transfer is coming from. He noted that that a full review is $97,200 a field review is $60,000 and $24,000 was funded. The request is for $133,400. The Department of Revenue is now requiring a full field review so the expense went from $72,000 to $157,000. Fred McGrane noted that the Town Manager’s three year plan was $24,000 each year for three years. The Board of Assessors solicited bids and two come in at approximately $162,000. In realty only inspection of 3600 is actually needed. Patriot will amend the dollar amount and be paid for only those houses entered. The DOR requires a full field review to ensure that the data conversion is correct. The Town Manager noted that all inspections need to be done by the end of April. Stephen Goldy asked how long Patriot has been involved and Fred McGrane indicated the conversion was started about two years ago but we put them off. The Town Manager noted that the $72,000 estimate is now $97,200 and time is another variance so funding cannot be pushed into FY14. He met with the DOR last week and Finance Committee Minutes – June 5, 2012 – page 2 they informed us that the conversion cannot be done the same year as the revaluation and this is nothing new. The Town Manager noted that assessment is 70% of our revenue and he wants to make sure it’s done right. Richard Schubert asked what guarantee there was that the work can be done in time and Bob LeLacheur noted that it takes 6 – 8 weeks for a full field review. David Greenfield noted that the DOR is requiring a full review by April and he asked if that is subjective. The Town Manager indicated the DOR indicated this is for a smooth process. David Greenfield indicated he wants the Board of Assessors to meet with the Finance Committee at the end of June. Paula Perry asked if staff will be doing the inspections and Bob LeLacheur noted that this amount of money assumes they are not. Paula Perry asked why we are converting from CAMA and Fred McGrane noted that CAMA is not supported and Patriot is much better. He also noted that the Board knew nothing about needing a field review. The Town Manager indicated that was not correct. Jeanne Borawski asked where the money was coming from and Bob LeLacheur indicated 40K from unemployment and 18K from workers comp. Hal Torman asked if we should do a reserve fund transfer and Bob LeLacheur indicated that half of the reserve fund is spoken for and the Finance Committee will hear about that at their next meeting. James Bonazoli noted that the errors and delays are unbelievable and he is offended that the Assessors don’t know where the numbers are coming from. He asked if regionalization was possible. The Town Manager noted that he recommended last year to make the Board of Assessors appointed. Bob Nordstrand was opposed to this at Town Meeting so out of respect to Mr. Nordstrand he didn’t push the matter. The fact is the assessment function is not functional. There is staff turnover, poor staff moral, poor relationship with the state, a complete lack of communication and the Board lacks faith in staffs’ capabilities. Bob Nordstrand noted that it is wrong to appoint and not elect. He noted he came to the Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen and pleaded to keep the part time person. The problem is with lack of personnel. He noted that the Board of Assessors relies on the senior appraiser. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen vote pursuant to MGL Chapter 44 Section 33B to approve the transfer in FY 2012 of $133,400 from line item B99 Benefits, to Line item I92 Finance Expenses was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Perry seconded by Dockser that the Finance Committee vote pursuant to MGL Chapter 44 Section 33B to approve the transfer in FY 2012 of $133,400 from line item B99 Benefits, to Line item I92 Finance Expenses was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Finance Committee Minutes – June 5, 2012 – page 3 The Town Manager noted he will try to get a contract with Patriot immediately. The Finance Committee adjourned their meeting at 9:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Secretary