Bellingham Finance Committee (FinCom)
Capital Improvements Committee (CIC)
Joint Meeting Minutes - July 8, 2013
- FinCom Present: J. Collamati (Chair), J. Allam, J. Cibelli, K. Shkreli,
R. Szczepan, G. Young
CIC Present: R. Lavallee (Chair), J. Cibelli, J. Collamati, R. Szczepan
- FinCom Absent: A. Elliott
CIC Absent: one vacant seat
- FinCom Meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairman Collamati. CIC meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairman Lavallee.
It was determined that representatives from the Fire and Police Departments would not be in attendance this evening, but would attend the next scheduled joint meeting.
- New FinCom member, Gary Young, was introduced to all present.
- Fund Transfers
The following motions were made at the request of C. Laviolette, CFO:
A motion was made to transfer $5400 from the Group Insurance Fund to Group Insurance Administrative Salaries to accommodate salary adjustment due to increase in duties.
FinCom only: Cibelli/Allam 6/0
A motion was made to transfer $7600 from Ambulance Medical Supplies to Professional Services.
FinCom only: Allam/Cibelli 6/0
A motion was made to transfer $498 from Reserve Fund to ConCom Salaries to administrative accommodate salary adjustment.
FinCom only: Szczepan/Allam 6/0
A motion was made to transfer $700 from Reserve Fund to Planning Board Salaries to accommodate salary adjustment.
FinCom only: Allam/Szczepan 6/0
A motion was made to transfer $1,000 from Reserve Fund to Building Maintenance Salaries and Wages to fund overtime.
FinCom only: Allam/Szczepan 6/0
A motion was made to transfer $12,117.51 from Reserve Fund to Medicare Employer Contribution to adjust for previously approved salary increases.
FinCom only: Allam/Szczepan 6/0
A motion was made to transfer $3,200 from reserve Fund to Occupational Health Professional Services to fund School Department pre-employment physicals.
FinCom only: Allam/Young 6/0
A motion was made to transfer $159.75 from reserve fund to Tree Warden Account for tool rental.
FinCom only: Allam/Cibelli 6/0
A motion was made to transfer $1,100 from Reserve Fund to Veterans’ Benefits Assistance Account.
FinCom only: Allam/Young 6/0
A voucher was presented to fund FinCom training, resulting in the following:
A motion was made to allocate $236.00 from the FinCom Account to pay the annual ATFC membership fee which includes training for FinCom members.
FinCom only: Szczepan/Young 6/0
6. DPW Director Don DiMartino presented Capital requests for October Town
Meeting:
- DPW will be requesting funding for road improvements based on Fire Department requirements for new water pipes. The October Town Meeting article may include $738,000 for Wrentham Road improvements that were “passed over” at the May ATM. No vote taken by the FinCom or CIC at this time.
- DPW will be requesting $95,000 to upgrade radio communications system. This upgrade will be compatible with new systems previously approved for Fire and Police Departments and will make it a truly “public safety based” communications system with digital bandwidths. There is currently no interaction between Fire, Police and DPW. The new system will also be compatible with those of neighboring towns.
A question was raised regarding the potential for implementing the new system in phases. Both Mr. DiMartino and communications consultant Mr. Voorhees stated that the upgrades need to be done at one time due to inherent bandwidth upgrades.
The upgrade will include 32 Vehicle Mounted Radios (VMR) and 5 portables. Mr. DiMartino presented the argument that both the street sweeper and sidewalk plows need portable radios. He explained that the street sweeper needs to be dispatched to accidents scenes quickly, and the sidewalk plow is prone to breakdowns and flipping over.
A motion was made to recommend the allocation of $95,000 from Free Cash
towards the purchase of radio upgrades for the DPW (including Parks, Water and
Sewer entities).
CIC: Collamati/Szczepan 4/0
FinCom: Szczepan/Young 6/0
- Mr. DiMartino will be requesting $180,000 to purchase a Trackless Street
Sweeper to replace an army-surplus Massey-Furgeson sweeper. The new sweeper will augment a similar piece of equipment that is already in service.
A motion was made to recommend the allocation of $180,000 towards the
purchase of a new Trackless Street Sweeper.
CIC: Collamati/Szczepan 4/0
FinCom will defer vote until Town Administrator and Board of Selectmen
recommendations.
- Mr. DiMartino will be requesting $69,800 to purchase a new Small Dump Truck for the DPW to replace a 1997 version that will be given to the Parks Department. Ford Model F550 4x4, 6-wheeler.
A motion was made to recommend the allocation of $69,800 towards the purchase of a new Small Dump Truck for DPW use.
CIC: Collamati/Cibelli 4/0
FinCom will defer vote until Town Administrator and Board of Selectmen
recommendations.
- Mr. DiMartino will be requesting $175,000 to purchase a Large Dump truck for the DPW, replacing a 1993 Ford model that is suffering the ravages of age and body rot.
A motion was made to recommend the allocation of $175,000 towards the purchase of a new large-sized dump truck for DPW use.
CIC: Collamati/Szczepan 4/0
FinCom will defer vote until Town Administrator and Board of Selectmen
recommendations.
- Mr. DiMartino will be requesting $66,000 to purchase a new Water Break Truck to assist at the scene of water main breaks.
No vote was taken at this time by either the CIC or FinCom.
- Intersection Improvements – the DPW, in conjunction with the State DOC, is looking at a 5-year, $2.15 million plan to improve safety and congestion along Bellingham’s main thoroughfares. One such project involves a study of dangerous intersections on Route 126 to determine whether traffic lights are necessary. Possible intersections: North Street, Scott Hill Blvd., Mann Street.
No CIC or FinCom votes taken at this time. Subject will be revisited upon receipt of Roads Committee Report.
7. Water Department Projects FY 2014
- Wrentham Road Water Service Renewal (Priority 1 of Wrentham Road projects). Replace 40 curb shot off valves to main water main at a cost of $100,000. Needed to reduce water loss and damage in the event of a major water main break.
A CIC motion was made to recommend the allocation of $100,000 to replace water service valves on Wrentham Road, from Lake Street to the Parks Department Building entrance.
CIC: Collamati/Cibelli 4/0
FinCom will defer vote until Town Administrator and Board of Selectmen
recommendations..
- Wrentham Road Water Main Upsize (Priority 2 of Wrentham Road projects).
Replace and upsize 6” water main to 8” as suggested in the recently revised Water Distribution System Master Plan. The project proposed between Lake Street and the Parks Department Building entrance at a cost of $300,000.
A motion was made to recommend the allocation of $300,000 towards the
replacement of 6” water mains to 8” pipes along Wrentham Road from Lake
Street to the Parks Department entrance.
CIC: Collamati/Szczepan 4/0
FinCom will defer vote until Town Administrator and Board of Selectmen
recommendations..
- South Main Street Water Main Upsize. Replace and upsize the 8” water main
to 12” as suggested in the recently revised Water Distribution System Master
Plan to coordinate with a MassDot bridge removal project. The roadwork is
proposed between Elm Street and Harpin Street.
A motion was made to recommend the allocation of $100,000 for the replacement and upsizing (from 8” to 12”) the water mains on South Main Street, from Harpin to Elm Streets.
CIC: Szczepan/Cibelli 4/0
FinCom will defer vote until Town Administrator and Board of Selectmen
recommendations..
- Center Street Water Service Renewal. Replace 70 water service valves on
Center Street in coordination with a roadway rehabilitation project.
A motion was made to recommend the allocation of $175,000 towards the
replacement of 70 water service valves on Center Street, between Fox Run to Cross Street, and on Cross Street between Center and Dupre.
CIC: Collamati/Cibelli 4/0
FinCom will defer vote until Town Administrator and Board of Selectmen
recommendations..
- Harpin Street replacement and upsizing of water main from 6” to 8”. The area
to be refitted is from Manson Street to the Keough Building. The existing mains in the area have been prone to breaking. Valves will also be installed to be used in the event of a water main break.
A motion was made to recommend the allocation of $80,000 to replace and upsize the water mains on Harpin Street, from Manson Street to the Keough Building, from 6” to 8”.
CIC: Szczepan/Cibelli 4/0
FinCom will defer vote until Town Administrator and Board of Selectmen
recommendations.
- At a recent Charter Review Commission meeting, CIC Chairman Lavallee questioned the need for the CIC. Mr. Lavallee explained that, upon its conception, the CIC was supposed to be participating in more of the fiscal planning aspect of future town projects. In practice, however, the CIC is brought in after projects have been approved by the Board of Selectmen and other Boards/Committees. Its participation in the planning process has not been the focus, thus rendering the CIC redundant, as it has been performing the same basic function as the FinCom.
Members of the FinCom and CIC expressed their wishes that the CIC remain intact, with some changes that might allow for a greater role in the project planning phase. The motion was as follows below. It will be brought to the attention of the Charter Review Commission for reconsideration.
A motion was made to revamp the membership of the CIC as follows:
The Capital Improvements Committee will be a 5 member board:
3 members from the Finance Committee
1 member from the Board of Selectmen
1 citizen-at-large member.
The Capital Improvements Committee will participate in, and render its decision
on the feasibility of a capital project before the project goes before, or is approved
by, the Board of Selectmen.
CIC: Collamati/Cibelli 4/0
FinCom: Szczepan/Young 6/0
- Having satisfied its agenda, and having no more new business to discuss, a
motion was made to adjourn the CIC portion of the joint meeting at 8:49 PM.
Collamati/Szczepan 4/0
- A motion was made to accept the June 24, 2013 Finance Committee minutes with
revisions.
Szczepan/Young 5/0 (Mr. Young was not present at 6/24/13 meeting)
- Having satisfied its agenda, a motion was made to adjourn the FinCom at 8:55 PM. Next meeting is scheduled or July 22, 2013 at 7:00 PM. Representatives from the School, Fire and Police Departments will be in attendance.
Minutes respectfully submitted by: Larry Sposato, FinCom Clerk
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