Bellingham Joint Finance Committee and Capital Improvements Committee Meeting Minutes – 4/28/14
FinCom Present: J. Collamati (Chair), J. Allam, J. Cibelli, A. Elliott, M. Fernandes, R. Szczepan,
FinCom Absence: one vacancy
CIC Present: R. Lavallee (Chair), J. Cibelli, J. Collamati, R. Szczepan
CIC Absent: J. Mayhew
FinCom Chairman Collamati called the FinCom meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
CIC Chairman Lavallee called the CIC meeting to order at 7:09 PM.
A FinCom motion was made to support appropriation of $5,000 from Free Cash to fund Article 21 (Birchwood Estates Sewer Easements).
Szczepan/Allam 6/0
The Library Budget (#610) was presented by Library Director B. Rivard and Trustee Director
S. Garten.
A FinCom motion was made to recommend the approval of the Library Department budget (#610) in the amount of $522,932, inclusive of salaries and expenses.
Cibelli/Allam 6/0
Article 19 – Library Fire Sprinkler System Repair was discussed. It was explained that sludge had accumulated in the system and that it had clogged some of the sprinklers. It was decided that $10,000 appropriated to this repair would be voted on as part of Article 9 (Amend Article 1).
A FinCom motion was made to support amending Article 1 (via Article 9) to include the appropriation of $10,000 for repairs to the library’s sprinkler system.
Szczepan/Allam 6/0
A motion was then made to recommend passing over Article 19.
Szczepan/Elliott 6/0
Roger Oakley, Director of Building Maintenance, presented his request for $90,000 to repair the roof at South School.
A CIC motion was made to support the appropriation of $90,000 to hire architect and project manager for the South School roof repair project. Total project is estimated at between $800,000 and $900,000.
Collamati/Szczepan 4/0
A FinCom motion was made to support the appropriation of $90,000 from Capital Improvements Trust Fund to hire architect and project manager for the South School roof repair project.
Cibelli/Allam 6/0
Article 24 – Water Transmission Main Land and Easement Acquisition
A FinCom motion was made to support the appropriation of $6,000 from the Water Treatment Fund to fund Article 24.
Szczepan/Allam 6/0
Article 9 – Amend Article 1
A FinCom motion was made to recommend Article 9 (amendments to Article 1 of the October 2013 STM totaling $720,762.71) per the attached schedule.
Szczepan/Allam 6/0
Article 30 – Lease of Town Land was presented by Denis Fraine. Mr. Fraine explained that this Article would allow the leasing of town-owned land at Stallbrook School for the installation of solar panels. The panels would be installed on canopies which would cover a new parking area for 80 vehicles. Currently, there are non-used modular classrooms on this land; the modular classrooms would be removed as part of this project. The Stallbrook School would purchase the electricity generated from these solar panels at a rate of 8 cents/kwh (as compared to the current cost of 17 cent/kwh. Excess electricity would go onto the grid for sale by the developer. The developer owns and maintains the panels and canopies at no cost to the Town.
A FinCom motion was made to recommend Article 30.
Szczepan/Allam 6/0
Mr. Fraine presented the Planning Department budget (#172) which includes $9,000 to increase the Planning Board’s grant writer’s hours. With this increase, the grant writer will be able to right grant requests for other departments within the Town. The grant writer will hereafter report to the Town Administrator and not the Town Planner. The $9,000 budget increase will come from taxation.
A motion was made to recommend approval of the Planning Department budget (#172) in the amount of $69,487.
Szczepan/Elliott 6/0
Article 14 – Non-Capital Items Less than $50,000
A FinCom motion was made to recommend Article 14, and appropriate the sum of $71,810.70 per the attached schedule.
Cibelli/Allam 6/0
Article 10 – Amend Article 2
A FinCom motion was made to recommend passing over Article 10.
Szczepan/Elliott 6/0
Article 11 – Amend Article 3
A FinCom motion was made to recommend passing over Article 11.
Szczepan/Allam 6/0
Article 12 – Amend Article 4
A FinCom motion was made to recommend passing over Article 12.
Szczepan/Allam 6/0
CFO C. Laviolette presented Budget #715 (Interest on Bonds), stating that the total request is for $1,227,675, with actual interest totaling $926,603.58.
A FinCom motion was made to recommend approval of Budget #715 (Interest on Bonds) in the amount of $1,227,675 (from taxation).
Szczepan/Cibelli 6/0
At 8:05 PM, a CIC motion was made to adjourn the CIC portion of this meeting.
Szczepan/Cibelli 4/0
At the present time, there are no unpaid bills to address. If any should arrive, the matter will be taken up on the floor at Town Meeting.
A FinCom motion was made to approve the meeting minutes of 4/14/14.
Szczepan/Allam 6/0
A FinCom motion was made to approve the meeting minutes of 4/7/14.
Szczepan/Cibelli 4/0 (only 4 members were present at 4/7/14 FinCom meeting)
At 8:15 PM, having fulfilled the agenda, a motion was made to adjourn the FinCom portion of this meeting.
Szczepan/Allam 6/0
The FinCom will meet next on May 5, 2014 at 7:00 PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Larry Sposato, FinCom/CIC Clerk
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