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FINANCE COMMITTEE
Town of Becket
557 Main Street
Becket, MA 01223
Monthly Meeting for October 7, 2010
Called to Order: 7:07 PM
Present: Steve L, Anne S, Chuck A, Richard F, and Dan P.
Absent: Jeremy D
Public Present: Edwin Weiller (representing Center Pond Lake District)
AGENDA
- Review and approve minutes for meeting of September 2, 2010
Motion: Ann Second: Dan
Approved
- Free Cash status: Accountant has not yet closed the books for last year.
- Status of Community Block Grant (Berkshire Regional Planning): Ongoing, Committee met with Selectboard, Public Hearing is set for Oct 10. If approved, will go to Selectboard for signing on the 17th for filing in the beginning of December.
- Creation of new Stabilization Fund for Highway Dept: Unsure if separate stabilization fund can be set up for just the Highway Dept. Concern is that Wade Road will be in need of a significant repair, estimated at about $250,000, in the future. Goal should be to increase the overall Stabilization Fund from Excess Free Cash for future needs.
- Maple Street survey: Done and results need to be reviewed with Abutters.
- Contracts with non-profits (Atheneum,Arts Center,Center Pond Weed Pulling,Center Pond Chemical Treatment): Nothing new to report.
- Pole Tax: Some of this was released but no additional information at this time.
- Bids for well at Fire Station #1: 2 bids came in. Waiting for a 3rd in writing. Maintenance well was also tested and water was hard with high levels of bacteria present. Possible solutions being explored such as bleaching as this is a new well. Concern as to possible connection to the Fire House well is not being explored as the reason a separate well was drilled for the Highway Dept was the cost and maintenance of the under road connector pipe.
- Did Town get an engagement letter from Auditor for FY 2011: Received and signed by Tony Blair.
- Itemized bill from Town Counsel with times: received by Richard and itemized.
- Public input: None
- Any other business:
- Appropriation of $2,500 for Center Pond Lake District for the control of weeds and oversight of dam (representing 3% of Districts budget) that benefits Town Beach. Ted Weiller presented request in written form (attached). Supported by the Finance Committee. Assumption is overall cost to Town will not increase from previous years allocations.
- Grant on FireHouse 2 work. Regional Planning feels the work needs to be rebid. New lighting (as was put in the Town Hall) will also be put in the rebid process but it was felt this will not increase costs.
- New phone system is being investigated which should reduce overall costs and improve service.
- Police and Fire calls need to be recorded
- Switching method of relay for unanswered calls will reduce costs
Savings are shared with outside service company that is reviewing phone system in the first year.
Adjourn: 8:12 PM
Motion: Dan Second:Chuck
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