DRAFT
Finance Committee Minutes
Town of Bellingham – Municipal Center
Monday, August 22,
1. FinCom Present: Henri Masson, Toni Picariello, Roland Lavallee, Joseph Collamati, Katie Quinn (8:00 pm)
2. FinCom Absent: Carol Dill
3. Meeting called to order: 7:15 p.m.
4. ARTICLE 9 - ACCEPTANCE OF M.G.L. C.40, §22G (Commission on Disability)
Patrick Callahan appeared.
M.G.L. c.40, Section 22G: Funds received from fines for handicap parking violations; deposits in account; expenditures
Section 22G. Any city or town which has accepted the provisions of section eight J is hereby authorized to allocate all funds received from fines assessed for violations of handicap parking in said city or town to the commission on disabilities.
Funds so received shall be deposited by the city or town treasurer in a separate account and shall be used solely for the benefit of persons with disabilities. Said account shall be established by the city or town treasurer and shall be kept separate and apart from all other monies. Expenditures from said account, including accrued interest, if any, shall be made upon the recommendation of the commission on disabilities in accordance with the accepted procedures of the city or town for the disbursement of funds, including the approval of the mayor and city council or the town manager or board of selectmen. The city or town accountant shall submit annually a report of said account to the mayor and city council or the town manager and board of selectmen for review and a copy of said
report shall be forwarded to the bureau of accounts.
See Article 10 below - FinCom took no action on this Article. It will be rescheduled to September 19, 2011.
5. ARTICLE 10 - REVOLVING FUNDS (Commission on Disability)
Patrick Callahan appeared.
This article and revolving fund would allow the Commission on Disability ("COD") to take the handi-cap parking fines, put the money (not-to-exceed $5,000) in the fund and spend it to help disabled people. They would like to pay a police officer to write tickets and to help people with disabilities. The Police chief mentioned that he would not hire a police officer just to write handi-capped parking tickets, that the police would do it as part of their usual patrols.
Joseph Collamati asked what the plan was. They do not have a plan. Roland Lavallee mentioned that they need a plan, they do not know the law and what can or cannot be done with the funds.
FinCom took no action on this Article. It will be rescheduled to September 19, 2011.
6. ARTICLE 5 - NON-CAPITAL OUTLAY EXPENDITURES (Under $50,000)
Columbarium (Cemetery Commission) $35,000.
This will be rescheduled to September 12, 2011 meeting so that all the Commission members can attend.
Fire Replace Air Bag/Extrication Equipment (Fire Department) $11,500.
Deputy Fire Chief, Steve Gentile appeared.
Air Lifting Bags:
Requesting $2,900. He is requesting to replace 6 air lifting bags. These bags are used for lifting, stabilizing or moving steel objects, motor vehicles, building, concrete, etc. The Fire Department does a self-test weekly and looks for air-leaks. The bags are approximately 16 years old and it is recommended that they be replaced at signs of deterioration or when they are 12-15 years old. The cost is $2,878 and includes a 20% trade in discount for the old bags.
Joseph Collamati/Henri Masson motion to recommend $2,900.00 for six air bags. Funding: Free Cash. VOTE: 4/0.
Extrication Equipment:
Requesting $8,500.00. He is requesting buying Amkus AMK-22 Extrication Equipment (Cutters & Spreaders) i.e.: "Jaws of Life" These cutters have a maximum cutting force of 200,000 lbs. They would be using the same pump. They want to upgrade the spreader arm and extended reach tips. These items would bring the Fire Department up to the industry standards in order to extricate victims from vehicles at motor vehicle crashes, industrial accidents and lifts.
Joseph Collamati/Henri Masson motion to recommend $8,500.00 for Extrication Equipment (Cutters and Spreaders). Funding: Free Cash. VOTE: 4/0.
Total of $11,400.00 for both items.
Brush Truck
The new quote came in at $60,000, $5,000 less then what was requested. Joseph Collamati mentioned that this new quote still included a $1,080 radio and the radio is not needed, since they can transfer the existing radio to the new truck. Joseph Collamati wants the Fire Department to get a new quote without the radio. They will be scheduled on September 12, 2011.
Marilyn Mathieu does not have this item on the spreadsheet. Toni Picariello will check with her.
3 Fully Equipped Cruisers (Police Department) $100,000.
Chief Gerald Daigle appeared. He is requesting $100,000 for 3 cruisers. These 3 cruisers will replace 3 with high mileage. One that was going to be replaced (85,000 miles) was in an accident last week. The Police Department has 16 cars. Each car cost about $28,000 with an additional $5,000 for computers. Joseph Collamati mentioned that he should look into Panasonic Toughbooks, because they are cheaper and that installation of all equipment should be done at one place. The three cars that would be replaced are ones with high mileage: $85,000 (in accident/K-9 Unit); 95,285 (K-9 Unit); 98,995 (Detective). These cars will be given to the Town for use by the Building, Plumbing, Health Inspectors and Department of Public Works.
Joseph Collamati would like to see an updated quote. Hearing will be scheduled for September 12, 2011.
6 Bullet Proof Vests (Police Department) $4,000.
Requested $3,800 for 6 bullet proof vests. They want 5 male vests and 1 female vest. The vests cost $618.75 each. Chief Daigle mentioned that they have been getting a grant for vests, but the money will be allotted to Bellingham, unless they bargain with the Union and establish a Mandatory Wear Policy, mandating that patrolmen wear a vest.
Henri Masson/Katie Quinn motion to recommend $3,800 for six bullet proof vests. Funding: We will need to check with Marilyn Mathieu. VOTE: 5/0.
RFP and Feasibility Study for a Police Facility. $30,000.
Requesting $30,000 for a space needs assessment and feasibility study. Chief Daigle mentioned that he was mad when there was a committee to study the DPW facility. The Police Station is a disgrace. Roland LaPrade drafted plans for an addition to the Station. Joseph Collamati said they need a space needs study and that could take about 3 months. Roland Lavallee stated that they need a committee and people need to get together to request a RFP.
The Chief mentioned that the police station was built in the 1960 and it is outdated. It is not an ideal situation to have the offices in one building and the station in another.
To reiterate: In 2005 funding was looked at, but not recommended at that time. The roof was temporarily repaired in 2006 and permanently repaired in 2008. In 2008 the Board of Selectmen talked about appointing a committee to look at the feasibility of a new police station. In 2009 the jail cells were repaired. Roland Lavallee has mentioned in early 2011 that the Town needs a Facilities Management Group that will take care of all Town buildings, including schools along with supervising all custodians.
Toni Picariello mentioned that Master Plan indicated that a Study joint Police-DPW campus - Timeline, should be done in 2010 thru 2012.
Joseph Collamati/Katie Quinn motion to recommend $30,000 for a space needs and feasibility study of the Police Station. Funding: Free Cash. VOTE: 5/0
7. GENERAL DISCUSSION
A. ATFC Annual Meeting, October 15, 2011 at Tri-County Regional Tech School.
Marilyn Mathieu will be speaking on "Monitoring the Budget". Roland Lavallee and Joseph Collamati want to attend. Toni Picariello wants to attend also, and Katie Quinn will let Toni Picariello know if she can attend. Toni Picariello will submit the registration form to be paid and sent in.
B. Raymond Szczepan's resignation.
Raymond Szczepan resigned because he will be going to Florida for 3 months in the winter. Toni Picariello mentioned that she tried to convince Ray not to resign and she spoke to the Moderator. She prepared a Press Release for the new member and asked the Committee to review it. They said it was fine, she will post it on the website and in the newspaper. All applicants will contact the Moderator.
C. Correspondence/Emails/Memo's etc.
a. Received an email from Marilyn Mathieu requesting $15,000 for repairs to the High School track. Joseph Collamati mentioned that he walked the track with the school people and noted that the track was cracking and uplifting. He will speak to Denis Fraine.
b. Joseph Collamati informed the Committee that the Middle School Boilers were being replaced on budget and on time.
D. Toni Picariello reminded the Committee that the Planning Board meeting on August 25, 2011 will be presenting the Zoning Articles and Toll Brothers road acceptance.
Adjourned: Katie Quinn/Henri Masson motion to adjourn. VOTE: 5/0. 8:30 p.m.
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