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Finance Committee Minutes 5/7/09
Town of Becket Finance Committee

May 7, 2009 Minutes

Present: Mike Falk, Ann Spadafora, Steve LaBelle, Amy Fyden, Jeremy Dunn
Also Present: Richard Furlong, Beth Van Ness

The meeting was called to order at 7:01pm.  

  • Minutes of 4/16/09 FinCom approved
  • Reviewed letter from Kathy Hayn Burtt re: FinCom minutes of March 12 & April 2.  Kathy stated that contrary to the minutes, she is not in favor of raising demand fees to $15, due to impact on Motor Vehicle tax which already carries $64 in penalties.  Richard noted that the law requires demand fees for Motor Vehicles to be the same as Real Estate.  MOTION to leave prior minutes as written but to note Kathy’s objection in these minutes; and to stand by FinCom recommendation to raise demand fees to $15.  Passed.
  • Town Administrator Salary Survey.  No further respondents.  Richard will continue to follow-up to see if Becket salary range is correct or needs adjustment.
  • Reserve Transfers.  None at this meeting.  Richard advised there will be some at the next FinCom meeting, plus sign-offs on Select Board transfers.
  • Review of draft remarks for ATM, prepared by Mike.  No input at this time.
  • Building Repairs list, for Warrant Article #6.  
Richard supplied the following partial list, but does not yet have prices:
  • Fire Station #2 roof replacement.  Labor done by Lenny/Dave.  Materials only
  • Fire Station #1 lower section of cinder block wall needs repair.  Needs review by professional to determine the best repair solution
  • Town Hall Lower Level restrooms refurbish
  • Town Hall Upper Level restrooms improvements
  • Town Hall carpets, especially Select Board room, Admin office, Assessors office
  • Town Hall handicap issues.  Front ramp is not compliant, especially in winter
  • Highway Dept. Wage survey
Review of email sent by Mike to Select Board, recommending (per last FinCom meeting) that the Highway Dept. Heavy Equipment Operator wage range remain unchanged other than the 0.7% 2009 COLA adjustment.  Ok

  • Richard Furlong retirement party.  June 27 @ 4pm. Only 1 person per board.  Mike will go.
  • Ambulance & Police Cruiser maintenance
Steve reported he’d spoken with Mark White, who has begun a regular maintenance program for the ambulance.    However the police cruisers are not being brought for regular routine maintenance; this would be helpful and less expensive than taking them for service elsewhere.

TASK: Richard to speak with Bill Elovirta about bringing police cruisers for maintenance

  • CBRSD Regional Agreement Review
Mike gave a report on the current status of CBRSD Regional Agreement Review Committee.  All 7 towns are represented.  Initial topic was Dalton request to change transportation assessment formula from pupil-based to mileage-based.  Per ATM Article #13, FinCom & Select Board already voted not in favor of this change.  


  • CBRSD –Becket-Washington School
Mike gave a comprehensive report of another significant issue within CBRSD, a movement to close Becket-Washington (B-W) School:

  • Several CBRSD school committee members apparently wish to close Becket-Washington School.  A simple majority vote of the school committee is required for this action.  
  • B-W school was renovated for 180-200 students.  Current enrollment is 89 in K-5.  pre-K is well-attended, but is not part of the regional agreement.
  • A basic issue is geography: many Becket families send their children to other districts (using School choice law) because it is more convenient for them plus the Middle School and the High School are both in Dalton.
  • Becket owns the school building, which is leased by CBRSD.  Lease was just re-signed for 20 years.  
  • CBRSD issued $6.5M in bonds for the school renovation in 2005; we are in year 4 of 20.  $5.5M of these bonds is subject to 61% reimbursement from Mass. School Building Authority (MSBA), as long as the building is used for educational purposes.
  • Mike requested a legal analysis from Marge Foster (CBRSD Bus. Mgr) of the implications of closing the school.  Who is responsible for the bond payments in this case?
  • Dr. Harlan, CBRSD superintendent and others recently met with Katherine Cravens, MSBA Director. Ms. Cravens said she has no authority to change terms of the reimbursement to towns.  If the school is closed, the law states all MSBA contributions must be repaid, retroactive to beginning of the bond period.
  • Mike spoke with Dennis Guyer re Governor Patrick’s campaign goal to super-regionalize the schools.  Dennis said this had been abandoned for lack of funds.  But the legislature appropriated $500,000 for grants to study merging school districts.  Dr. Harlan believes this is impractical for CBRSD which is 212 sq. miles.  She feels transportation costs for a merged super-regional district would be prohibitive.
  • A parents group met at B-W school with the incoming principal (Debbie White) and Dr. Harlan, but it was poorly attended.  The group agreed a strategy was needed to develop support for keeping the school open.  It was requested that it not be discussed at ATM until a strategy is developed.
  • Conclusion: this is a significant issue with the potential to have a very large impact on the town, both financially and for families with children.  Need to remain actively engaged in finding the right solution.
  • Reminder of STM/ATM, Sat. May 9 @ 7pm.   Mike, Ann, Amy, Jeremy will attend.
  • Reminder of Becket Town Elections Sat. May 16, 10am-7pm.
There was no public input.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Jeremy Dunn
Clerk