HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-03-09 Finance Committee Minutes Finance Committee Minutes March 9, 1988
Present: Allen, Harrison, McMeniman, Haskell, Lynch, Greene
Absent: Catalfemo, Burditt, Mucci -
The Chairman began the meeting With a review of member attendance at
meeting this year. This was prompted by the inability to acheieve a _
quorum at the previously scheduled meeting on March 3, 1988. The
chairman respectfully and emphatically requested that members let him
know if they will be unable to attend meetings. In cases where it
appears that a quorum will not be acheived, he will be able to cancel or
postpone the meeting. In this way, citizens, town officials and other
town board memebers will not be inconvenienced.
The chairman then called the Federal Revenue Sharing meeting to order.
The town manager recommended that the balance of funds and accured
interest in that account be appropriated for police salaries.
A motion was made by Greene to appropriate $12,000 and accured interest
of the unappropriated Federal Revenue Sharing account to police
salaries. Motion approved 6-0-0.
The chariman then moved to the issue of snow and ice expenditures. He
requested that members think over how to handle these expenditures in
4 future budgets -- either thru an increase in the snow and ice account or
in increase in the reserve fund.
The town manager advised the committee that we can anticipate a request
for a reserve fund transfer to cover a shortfall in the police fund
liability account as this is on an April to April cycl*e rather than the
July to June cycle.
The chairman requested that all members wishing to make minority reports
do so in the next couple of days. The committlee then began the review
of budgets in the community development department scheduled for this
Date:
* Conservation
* Inspectional services
* Community planning and development
* Zoning goard of appeals
* Historical commission
* General department
The Town manager gave an ovewiew of the Department and the budgets. The
salary of the planner has increased dua to the anticipated reduction in
the state grant contribution. The conservation administrator raised
concern about the reduction in the expense line-auto. She anticipates
greater expenditures duo to the increase in development in the town
(W expected over the next fiscal year.
The town manager reviewed the research done to support an increase in
the salaries of the plumbing and wire inspectors. He was not in receipt
of this material during budget preparation which is why it was not
reflected in his list of recommended new programs. He stated that he
would recommend this increase which represents $3480.00. The community
planning and development budget includes $20.000 as the town's portion
of a traffic study. The town manager also includes a new program
request which would allow the town to computerize land records. ' He
added that there was the need to first clean up the current paper
system.
There was extensive discussion of the budget by committee members and in
particular over the town portion of the proposed traffic study. Some
members felt that town businesses might be persuaded to increase their
contributions thus lowering the cost to the town. This was then ' ,. .--
reflected in the final votes on the planning division budget.
The voters on the budget are listed below: , ,.
Conservation - Personal $28,467 6-0-0
. Non-Personal $4730 6-0-0
Planning Division - Personal $2650 6-0-0
Non-Personal $13 , 250 6-0-0
Zoning Board - Personal $2100 6-0-0 _
Non-Personal $200 6-0-0
Historical Commission - Non-Personal $1000 6-0-0
Inspectional Division - Personal $47,442 6-0-0
Non-Personal $3520 6-0-0
General Department - Personal $49,792 6-0-0
Non-Personal $11,050 5-1-0
(incl. 00s Travel not exceed $1000)
The Committee than moved on to a review of the general services budgets
scheduled for review on this date:
• Selectmen
• Personnel
• Town clerk
• Elections/Registration
• Casualty insurance
• Police and Fire indemnification
• Law Division
• Weights and Measures
The town manager gave an overview of the budgets. There has been a
reduction of the support staff in the town manager's office. This
year's budget is based on centralizing supply expenditures in the town
manager's budget. The manager suggests a half time personnel
administrator to be filled by the current town clerk. Deana Haskell
voted concern over the splitting D+ two professional positions and -
possibly compromising both functions. The manager assured the committee
that the town clerk is fully capable of assuming these responsibilities
but that we could reassess this split in the next year.
The personnel budget centralizes advertisiing expenditures and includes
expentidures for an 6W/wellness program. The manager explained that
this program is extremely useful as a tool for managers when dealing
with employee performance problems caused by drugs, alcohol or family
problems. It is a voluntary program for employees but often can give
the managers a place to begin to solve performance problems. Dean
Haskell was concerned that the program is something that we just give to
employees and should rather be used a bargaining tool. The manager
assured the Committee that this was more of a benefit to managers and
because it is a relatively small amount of money, tht he doubted its use-
as a bargaining tool.
The town clefrk budget includes a new program request to microfilm
records. Members raised concern over to advisability and costs of this
program. The manager agreed to review the costs.
The election/registration budget brought comment from the press. Maria
Silvaggi wanted to note that remuneration for individuals who staff the
polling places is so low that it may be influencing the number of people
who come forward for these activities. Few participate which then cause
long hours for those who do. She made a plea for an increase in the
proposed appropriation.
The casualty insurance is currently out to bid. Responses ae due at
the end of June 1988. The program now includes the EAIEs. Mem ers
questioned whether anticipating a 10$ increase was too high and debated
whether some amount could remain the reserve fund in case of a
shortfall. This discussion was reflected in the vote of the committee
on this budget.
Member Haskell raised questions about the increase in the law division
budget. He asked when the contract last went out to bid and when the
last evaluation of services had been done. . . the manager agreed to
research this for the Committee. While on the topic of the law
division, member Haskell again requested a written legal opinion on the
use of funds under article 31, fall 1987 town meeting. The manager
agreed to request this of town counsel.
The votes on the budgets are listed below:
Selectmen- Personal $9900 6-0-0
Town manager - Personal $100,066 6-0-0
Non-Personal $77,880 5-1-0
Law Division - Personal
Town Counsel $88,740 4-2-0
Labor Counsel $24,000 5-1-0
40 Other $5220 4-2-0
Personnel Division - Personal $29, 470 5-1-0
Non-Personal $42,550 6-0-0
Town Clekrk - Personal $52,320 6-0-0
Hon-Personal $6255 6-0-0
Elections/registration - Personal $1150 6-0-0
.._ Non-Personal $52,400 6=0-0
Weights and Measures - Personal $5000 6-0-0
- Non- Personal $600 6-0-0
Casualty Insurance - $310500 6-0-0 -
Police and Fire Indemnification $30,000 6-0-0
Adjourned at llpm