FINANCE COMMITTEE
Town of Becket
557 Main Street
Becket, MA 01223
Minutes for September 2, 2010
Called to Order: 7:10 PM
Present: Steve L., Jeremy D., Ann S., Richard F., Dan P.
Absent: Chuck A.
Public Present: 1 Public participant; Maryann Loria
AGENDA
1.Review and approve minutes for prior meeting on August 5, 2010
Motion: Jeremy Second: Ann
Approved with corrections of $199,300 and $49,300 short concerning the Energy Efficient Grant.
2. Discuss amount of funds previously approved by FinCom to finance the Energy Efficiency
Grant for Fire Station #2
Take additional monies from Stabilization Fund. SelectBoard wants to move forward with complete work including radiant heat as this was determined to be the best option for the firehouse. Special town meeting has been set for Sept 28th to obtain necessary voter approval. Replenishment of Stabilization Fund will be reviewed once “Free Cash” is certified by DOR.
Motion: Jeremy Second: Dan
Approved
3. Status of first quarter tax bill mailings
Tax file complete and at printer. After sample bill check the tax bills will be mailed within a few weeks. Both quarterly bills will be due within a short time of one another.
4. Status of Free Cash
Potential “Free Cash” could be generated from release of Pole Tax reserves and Land Auction. Potential $ and timeframe not known at this time.
5. Washington - share of Fire Dept expenses
No change from last meeting. This will fall in the January timeframe when the Budgets are prepared.
6. Status of Community Block Grant re Berkshire Housing
There is a Becket Committee joined by Regional Planning. The first meeting was the previous Wednesday. Last years Grant was rejected but it had high scores giving promise to possible approval with a resubmission. The committee is meeting weekly with a goal of a proper filing by the beginning of December which allows for the 60 day posting window.
7. Result of Maple Street survey
Town property on Maple St is being surveyed as an abutter is challenging ownership. Ordered by the SelectBoard and cost is approximately $2,800. Purpose is to properly delineate boundaries and rights of way of Town. These funds were not budgeted.
8. Contracts with Atheneum, Arts Center, Center Lake Weed Pulling, Center Lake Chemical Treatment
Include Dalton CRA. Need to validate these are all registered non-profit organizations.
Task: Richard to follow up before next budget cycle.
9. Public Input
None
10.Any other business
Remaining Articles in Special Town Meeting were discussed.
Article 1.) Firehouse Well monies. Needed to come from Stabilization Fund as the Firehouse Budget is too low to accommodate. Public Comment: There was a mention at a previous SelectBoard Meeting that the Highway Department well, which is nearby the Firehouse is also contaminated. Shouldn’t the Town know the extent of the work needed before drilling a new well when there is a potential issue with another nearby town well? This issue is unknown to the FC. FC asking that total issue be understood by having the water at the Highway Department well also tested.
Motion to Recommend to Approve to Town Voters: Ann; Second Jeremy
Vote: Unanimous
Task: Richard to have water of Highway Department well tested.
Article 3.) 4 Year lease. Issue is the town cannot sign into a 4 year lease without Voter approval. Limit is a 3 year lease.
Motion to Recommend to Approve to Town Voters: Jeremy Second: Ann
Vote: Unanimous
Last item: Ann looked into the $4,300 Town Attorney bill. Ann questioned that phone calls between the attorneys and the specific town employees was not detailed. The point being raised is there needs to be a mechanism for the person approving the bill to ensure only authorized individuals are calling town attorneys and incurring fees and the length of time that the individuals were incurring. Richard will ask to have the names listed with detailed minutes of calls.
Adjourned: 8:22 PM, Motion: Dan; Second: Jeremy
Respectfully submitted:
Dan Parnell
Approved: ______________________________Steve LaBelle
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