Bellingham Finance Committee (FinCom) and
Capital Improvements Committee (CIC) Joint Meeting Minutes
September 30, 2013 – (Approved 10/28/13)
- FinCom Present: J. Collamati (Chair), J. Allam, J. Cibelli, A. Elliott, R. Szczepan, CIC Present: R. Lavallee (Chair), J. Cibelli, J. Collamati, R. Szczepan
- FinCom Absent: K. Shkreli, G. Young
CIC Absent: 1 vacant position
- At 7:00 PM the FinCom was called to order by Chairman Collamati; the CIC was
called to order by Chairman Lavallee.
- Architects Kastle & Boos presented proposal for a new Police Station. The site
that has been selected is on Blackstone Street, is town-owned, and lies between the existing Fire House and Senior Center. The entrance will be closer to the Fire House, as that area is more appropriate due to the topography of the site. Although material selections have not been finalized, the current proposal is for a building that will occupy 13,000 square feet, constructed with a brick base, cement-composition clapboard siding, fiberglass windows, and an asphalt shingle roof. A question arose as to whether the sprinkler and mechanical rooms would have direct access from the outside of the building. Architects indicated that they would work this into the plan.
An Emergency Operations Center (EOC) would be housed in the building, equipped with a full emergency generator. A single HVAC System will be installed on the roof, and two boilers will be installed for heat and hot water.
The price quoted ($6.8 million) includes a septic system; however, there is a current proposal being entertained for the Maplebrook development to hook up to town sewer system. Should that proposal come to fruition, the new Police Station to hook in as well. The $6.8 million price tag also includes: site-preparation, piping, grading, seeding and landscaping. Upon completion, the new police Station would be “commissioned” at a cost of $15,000 (included).
CFO, C. Laviolette, spoke about upcoming retiring debt that will be renewed to finance the new Police Station. The plan is to minimize any direct effect on taxpayers by renewing existing debt that is about to be paid off.
A CIC motion was made to support the construction of a new police facility at a cost not to exceed $6.8 million.
Collamati/Cibelli 4/0
A FinCom motion was made to support the construction of a new police facility, to be funded by bond, not to exceed $6.8 million.
Szczepan/Cibelli 5/0
- Having fulfilled the CIC agenda for the evening, a motion was made to adjourn the CIC portion of the meeting at 7:40 PM.
Collamati/Szczepan 4/0
- The Fire Department put forth an amendment to Article 1 to accommodate
upgrades to the South Fire Station to enable 24/7 service at that location.
The upgrades include: general repairs to South Station, some outdoor work and
the purchase of new furniture for the interior, totaling $17,600. Also included in
the $17,600 is an upgrade to the air conditioning system at the main station.
A motion was made to amend ATM Article 1, within STM Article 1, to allocate
$17,600 from Free Cash to upgrade South Fire Station to facilitate 24/7 operation
that location.
Szczepan/Allam 5/0
- A brief discussion to place regarding Article 15 (Linda Way Acceptance). The
had previously decided not to make a recommendation on the Article until the Planning Board had made a positive recommendation. Since the Planning Board is awaiting information, it is unable to render a decision until the night of the STM. It was decided, for the purposes of the STM booklet, to indicate that, “Planning Board NOT RECOMMENDING at time of this writing”.
- Regarding Article 20, the CFO requested $100,000 to fund Other Post-
Employment Benefits (OPEB).
A motion was made to recommend allocating $100,000 from Free Cash to fund OPEB.
Szczepan/Allam 5/0
- Regarding Article 21, the CFO requested $100,000 of additional funding to the
Stabilization Fund.
A motion was made to recommend allocating $100,000 from Free Cash to the Stabilization Fund, which currently has a balance of $1.16 million.
Szczepan/Allam 5/0
- Regarding Article 22, the CFO requested $50,000 of additional funding to the
Tax Stabilization Fund. This fund is kept as preparation for when power companies go offline.
A motion was made to recommend allocating $50,000 from Free Cash to the Tax Stabilization Fund, which currently has a balance of $1.81 million.
Elliott/Szczepan 5/0
- Regarding Article 23, the CFO requested $50,000 of additional funding to Capital
Improvements Trust Fund.
A motion was made to recommend allocating $50,000 from Free Cash to the Capital Improvements Trust Fund, which currently has a balance of $494,000.
Cibelli/Szczepan 5/0
- CFO reported that there are no paid bills to be approved at the STM.
Consequently, a FinCom motion was made to Pass Over Article 24.
Szczepan/Elliott 5/0
- A motion was made to Pass Over Article 2 at this time, with recommendation to
be made at STM if necessary.
Szczepan/Cibelli 4/0 (Mr. Allam had left meeting previously.)
- A motion was made to Pass Over Article 3 at this time, with recommendation to
be made at STM if necessary.
Szczepan/Cibelli 4/0 (Mr. Allam had left meeting previously.)
- A motion was made to Pass Over Article 4 at this time, with recommendation to
be made at STM if necessary.
Szczepan/Cibelli 4/0 (Mr. Allam had left meeting previously.)
- A motion was made to recommend allocating $67,700 from water Surplus to
replace an aging Water Main Break Truck (previously discussed with DPW).
Cibelli/Elliott 4/0
- A update was given by CFO regarding a shredder previously discussed for the
Tax Collector. The CFO reported that it would cost approximately $2,500 for an outside vendor to do the shredding over a 2-year period. It was determined that it would be more cost effective to purchase one heavy-duty shredder at a cost of $2,000.
A motion was made to recommend the purchase of a heavy-duty shredder for $2,000 from Free Cash.
Cibelli/Szczepan 4/0
- A discussion took place regarding the STM booklet. It was decided that 350
Copies would be printed to accommodate the expected attendees.
It was also decided that a meeting of the FinCom would take place just prior to the STM on October 9, 2013. The meeting will be held in the anteroom at the high school at 7:00 PM.
- CFO, Chris Laviolette stated that the certified free cash number is $1.93 million, which is sufficient to cover all potential STM expenditures with funding from the Free Cash account.
- At 8:35 PM, a motion was made to adjourn.
Szczepan/Elliott 4/0
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Larry Sposato,
FinCom/CIC Clerk
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