FINAL
Finance Committee Meeting
Town of Bellingham – Municipal Center
Monday, September 17, 2012 7:15pm
1. FinCom Present: J. Collamati (Chairman), J. Cibelli, H. Mason (7:25), K. Quinn,
R. Szczepan
2. FinCom Absent: J. Allam, P. Degenring
3. Meeting was called to order at 7:15 PM by Chairman Collamati.
4. Michael Reed provided additional information regarding the artificial turf field project (see attached). He also invited Ryan Jetty, Franklin Recreation Director to provide “first-hand” information on existing artificial turf fields in Franklin. Mr. Jetty reported:
- the two artificial turf fields helped foster better cooperation between town and school officials
- Franklin has realized $17,000 in field rental fees over the past year (@$100/hour); the fees
are only collected from “outside, for-profit” groups, in-town community groups are not
charged the fees by choice
- field use has “double or tripled” since the artificial turf was installed
- annual maintenance cost in Franklin is $4000/year per field. The maintenance consists of 2
thorough cleanings per year to dislodge debris, even out pellets and generally groom turf.
Additionally, fields are painted with lines once per year at a cost of approximately $750/field.
- Franklin’s High School filed was installed in 2003 and after maintenance looks “brand new”;
Beaver Pond field was installed in 2004. Mr. Jetty estimates that each field is only half way
through its lifespan.
- both fields are used 7 days/week by approximately 5,000 participants overall.
- one advantage of artificial turf is that field can be used as soon as snow melts (or is plowed
off), as opposed to natural grass fields which need to thaw and dry out before spring use.
- 2003 cost of Franklin High School field was $1.4 million , including retaining walls,
bleachers, fencing, grading, etc.
- Franklin funded their fields as part of a 15-year $20 million capital improvements bond
- one company supplied the product and a separate company installed the turf; that
arrangement led to a two-year increase in warranty (10 years)
- a reduction in on-field injuries has been noted (not quantified)
When asked by Chairman Collamati about bonding, CFO Marilyn Matthews stated that she calculated that a 10-year $1.355 million bond would be pursued @ 3.5% interest (maximum), costing $162,000 per year. The cost to the taxpayer would be approximately .12 cents per thousand of assessed value (or approximately $30/year to the average Bellingham homeowner).
Discussion ensued. Several FinCom members stated that they favor the project and would like to support it but just can’t at this time when there are so many costly higher-priority projects on the docket (i.e., water treatment, school maintenance, police station compliance requirements, asbestos compliance project, roads, etc). Several audience members echoed the same sentiments. Mr. Reed and Selectman Connor offered that “there is never a good time” for this type of project because there are always major infrastructure projects to be done. They argued that this type of project would be advantageous to the community.
R. Szczepan/K. Quinn motioned to recommend passage of Article 7 allocating $1.5 million through municipal bond to the reconstruction of athletic field and adjacent track.
Failed 5-0
5. DPW Director Don DiMartino spoke about the Town Wide Water Filtration Project and reported that the Board of Selectmen voted to support Article 16 on the October Town Meeting Warrant allocating $15.4 million via municipal bond for Town Wide Water Treatment facilities. He went on to explain the funding options (see attached). During FY 2014 the increase will be$26.75 on a property assessment of $245,000; the same for FY 2016 and $102.75 from FY 2016 through FY 2036.
R. Szczepan/K. Quinn motioned to recommend Article 16, authorizing a municipal bond in the amount of $15.4 million to finance the Town Wide Water Treatment Project.
Passed 5-0
6. Don DiMartino reported that the Lake Hiawatha Sewer Project (Article 14) and DPW radio replacement would be passed over. One or both items may be revisited at the May 2013 Town Meeting.
7. School Superintendent Fleury and R. Oakley presented updated information on the School Asbestos Study proposal. The State passed a law in 1986 requiring that all school buildings to be tested for asbestos on a yearly basis; if asbestos is detected, staff must be trained to safely deal with the asbestos during the pre-abatement period. Bellingham has been out of compliance. Continued non-compliance will result in fines of an unknown amount. 3 proposals were obtained. The lowest bidder meets compliance needs. The School Department is requesting $35,000 to have a study performed to determine the exact location of asbestos (if any) to comply with state law. Up until this point, all reports have stated that “asbestos is assumed” to be in all of Bellingham’s school buildings. The new study will prove where,
if any, asbestos exists; plans can be made to remediate at a later time.
R. Szczepan/H. Mason motioned to recommend that $35,000 be moved from free cash to finance the School Asbestos Study.
Passed 5-0
8. Mr. Oakley also presented the case for replacing the boiler at the Senior Center, reporting that the old one is too costly to repair, has multiple leaks and has been breaking down. Honeywell repairman estimates a cost of between $12,000 to $15,000 dollars to repair, with no guarantees or warranties. He is requesting $25,000 to purchase and install a new boiler at the Senior Center.
H. Masson/J. Cibelli motioned to recommend appropriation of $25,000 from Free Cash to finance the purchase and installation of a new boiler at the Senior Center.
Passed 5-0
9. CFO, Marilyn Mathieu requested a change in $75,000 Trash Expense funding source.
K. Quinn/J. Cibelli motioned to recommend that $75,000 be appropriated from Trash Surplus to Trash Expense as requested.
Passed 4-0; R. Szczepan recused himself
10. Old business:
Three FinCom members are interested in attending the Town Finance Committee seminar in October. The seminar will be held at Tri-County High School in Franklin.
K. Quinn/R. Szczepan motioned to appropriate $125 from the FinCom budget to secure three (3) spots at the October Town Finance Committee seminar.
Passed 5-0
R. Szczepan/K. Quinn motioned to approve the 8/27/12 FinCom Meeting Minutes.
Passed 5-0
Chairman Collamati, having satisfied the agenda, asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
H. Masson/K. Quinn motioned to adjourn.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:00PM.
Next meeting scheduled for 9/24/12 at 7PM. All-boards meeting??
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Larry Sposato,
Finance Committee Clerk
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