DRAFT
Finance Committee Minutes
Town of Bellingham – Municipal Center
Monday, September 19, 2011
1. FinCom Present: Henri Masson, Roland Lavallee, Joseph Collamati, Carol Dill, Daniel Spencer, Toni Picariello, Katie Quinn (7:31)
2. FinCom Absent: n/a
3. Meeting called to order: 7:15 p.m.
4. ARTICLE 9 - ACCEPTANCE OF M.G.L. C.40, §22G (COMMISSION ON DISABILITY)
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.
Patrick Callahan, Melissa Newman, Amy Cook and Burt Howe appeared.
See Article 10.
Toni Picariello/Henri Masson motion to not recommend this Article at this time. VOTE: 7/0.
ARTICLE 10 - REVOLVING FUNDS (COMMISSION ON DISABILITY)
To reiterate: 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.
Patrick Callahan explained that the Commission on Disability did not have a proposal yet, they have not had a meeting since the last meeting with the FinCom. He reiterated, along with Amy Cook, that they would like to use the revolving fund money to pay for a police officer to write tickets for handicapped parking violations. Joseph Collamati mentioned that $5,000 would not pay for much. Roland Lavallee wants to know what the sense is of what is needed and how bad is it. Daniel Spencer asked what the issues were. COD responded that the biggest issue is the parking violations and the police need to write more tickets to discourage violators. The COD wants to promote awareness and inform municipalities of handicapped issues.
Toni Picariello suggested that the COD pass over this Article and put it on the warrant in May 2012. They should talk to the police department and DPW about what they wish to do. Dawn Davies (Board of Selectmen) informed the Committee that the police issue parking tickets and Denis Fraine dismisses some. She would like to see it stipulated that an ticket relating to a handicapped parking violation not be dismissed. Carol Dill thinks these articles are premature and more information is needed.
Toni Picariello/Katie Quinn motion to not recommend this Article at this time. VOTE: 7/0.
5. ARTICLE 1 - AMEND ARTICLE 1; BUDGET (BOARD OF SELECTMEN)
$41,462.00 Fire Salaries transferred from Ambulance Receipt Reserved. FinCom Recommended on 9/12/2011.
$24,348.00 Fire Expenses transferred from Ambulance Receipt Reserve. FinCom Recommended on 9/12/2011.
$37,256.00 Police Expenses transferred from Police Salaries. FinCom recommended on 9/12/2011.
6. ARTICLE 8 - ACCEPTANCE OF LOT A WITHIN THE HIGHRIDGE ESTATES SUBDIVISION (BOARD OF SELECTMEN)
Dawn Davies appeared.
This article is for the acceptance of a Lot located in the Highridge Estates development for a sewer pump station. Toni Picariello mentioned that she called the developer to inquire whether or not he agreed with this Article. He agrees and has signed all the paperwork for the transfer. There is not money requested.
Joseph Collamati/Henri Masson motion to recommend this Article. VOTE: 7/0.
7. ARTICLE 17 - TAX STABILIZATION FUND (BOARD OF SELECTMEN)
Previous appropriations:
2010 $0
2009 $0
2008 $0
2007 $100,000
2006 $250,000
2005 $175,000
The last transfer into this account was in 2007. There is no money, but Marilyn Mathieu is hopeful that money will be transferred at the May 2012 Town meeting.
Joseph Collamati/Katie Quinn motion to pass over this Article. VOTE: 7/0.
8. ARTICLE 18 - UNPAID BILLS (BOARD OF SELECTMEN)
According to Marilyn Mathieu there are no unpaid bills.
Daniel Spencer/Henri Masson motion to pass over this Article. VOTE: 7/0
9. ARTICLE 16 - STABILIZATION FUND (FINANCE COMMITTEE)
Previous Appropriations
2009 $0
2008 $0
2007 $300,000
2006 $350,000
2005 $125,000
The last transfer into this account was in 2007. There is no money, but Marilyn Mathieu is hopeful that money will be transferred at the May 2012 Town meeting.
Joseph Collamati/Henri Masson motion to pass over this Article. VOTE: 7/0.
10. GENERAL DISCUSSION
A. Reminder: ATFC Annual Meeting, October 15, 2011 at Tri-County Regional Tech School
B. Toll Brother's Road Acceptance Issue
Documents from the Conservation Commission.
Roland Lavallee took these documents.
Documents from the Planning Board.
C. Correspondence/Emails/Memo's etc.
Adjourned: Joseph Collamati/Daniel Spencer motion to adjourn. VOTE: 7/0. 7:56 p.m.
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