FINAL
FinCom Meeting Minutes – 4/8/13
Members present: J. Collamati (Chair), J. Allam, J. Cibelli, A. Elliott, R. Szczepan
Members absent: K. Khreli, K. Quinn
Guests: COA Director Laura DiMattia, D. Fraine, C. Laviolette, Library Trustee K. Hamwey, Library Director B. Rivard
Meeting was called to order at 7PM by Chairman Collamati.
- The proposed Inspectional Service (IS) budget was reviewed. D. fraine explained that differences in FY 2014 budget are due to the return to IS of a part-time employee from loan to Council on Aging, and the use of consultant (with no benefits) to replace deceased Health Agent Graf.
A motion was made to approve Department 251 IS total budget of $147,691 as presented.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 5/0
- B. Rivard and K. Hamwey representing the Library Board of Trustees presented their budget for FY 2014. Ms. Rivard explained the overall budget increase of $17,894. $12,294 in salaries and $5600 in operating expenses comprise the overall increase. Ms. Rivard also noted that state aid requirements dictate that no less than 15% of the operating budget is spent on books and periodicals for the library. Bellingham Library received $16,000 in state aid during FY 2013 and was expecting a similar amount in 2014.
When asked about the Young Adult renovation project which is on the ATM Warrant, both Ms. Rivard and Mr. Hamwey described the project but reported that a final figure was as yet unavailable. The matter will be revisited at the 4/29/13 FinCom meeting
A motion was made to approve the Department 610 Library budget of $486,534 as
presented.
J. Allam/J. Cibelli 5/0\
- L. DiMattia, representing the Council on Aging (COA) reported that the focus
of the COA over the past year has been to increase outreach and use of the Senior
Center. To that end, an evening “pay for service” pilot program was begun. Ms.
DiMattia stated that the project thus far has been “very successful”. A 20-hour
administrative position has been added to the COA budget for FY 2014 to assist
with further development of this new outreach program.
A motion was made to approve the Department 541 COA budget as presented.
J. Cibelli/R. Szczepan 5/0
New Business
- D. Fraine explained that the Parks Department would be maintaining school properties from this point on. Parks personnel will be replacing school custodians in performing this function. It is felt that Parks personnel have the equipment and expertise to maintain school grounds more efficiently. This maintenance activity would take place between March and November. School personnel will continue to provide snow removal services.
A motion was made to increase the Parks Department budget by $40,000 which will be funded from Building Maintenance (Department 189).
R. Szczepan/A. Elliott 5/0
A corresponding motion was made to transfer $40,000 from the Building Maintenance budget (189) to the Parks and Recreation budget.
J. Allam/J. Cibelli 5/0
A motion was made to rescind the 3/11/13 vote approving Department 450 Water Operating budget.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 5/0
A motion was made to approve a new Department 450 budget of $2,246,365 as re-presented.
R. Szczepan/J. Cibelli 5/0
A motion was made to rescind the 3/11/13 vote approving Department 460 Sewer budget.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 5/0
A motion was made to approve a new Department 460 budget of $965,382 as re-presented.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 5/0
A motion was made to approve the Department 302 budget of $873,431 representing Bellingham’s contribution for its 77 students in attendance.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 5/0
- Acct #710 – Maturing Debt
A motion was made to accept that $3,774,440 in long term debt will be maturing
during FY 2014.
J. Allam/A. Elliott 5/0
- Acct # 715 – Interest on Bonds
A motion was made to budget for $1,827,675 in interest to be paid on outstanding bonds.
J. Allam/J.Cibelli 5/0
- Acct #990 - Workers’ Compensation
“No Vote Necessary”
- Acct #991 – Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund
* HOLD UNTIL 4/29/13
A motion was made to TAKE NO ACTION on Articles 10, 11 and 12.
J. Allam/J. Cibelli 5/0
- Article 13/14 – Expenditures less than $50,000
Town Common Trustee requesting $17,352 for playground improvements.
Town Common Trustees will be invited to the April 22nd meeting.
No capital expenditures of greater than $50,000 proposed.
The Police Department has requested a funds transfer from free cash to purchase a new generator for the Police Annex. As it is no longer needed, a motion was made to recommend this portion of the Article be passed over.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 5/0
- Article 15 – Revolving Funds
A motion was made to recommend that monies be appropriated to allow the Library ($15,000), DPW ($7,500), Board of Health ($35,000), Commission on Disability ($10,000), Police Department ($40,000), Conservation Commission ($5,000), Board of Selectman ($25,000) and School Committee ($25,000) to create revolving funds.
J. Allam/A. Elliott 5/0
- Article 16 – To appropriate funds of up to $300,000 for remediation of sewage disposal systems, fuel storage tanks, deleading.
A motion was made to recommend that up to $300,000 be appropriated for remediation purposes.
J. Allam/A. Elliott 5/0
A motion was made to PASSOVER Article 18 having to do with BVT building renovation.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 5/0
- Article 19 – Package Store Beer and Wine License
A motion was made to take No Action on Article 19 as it is a Non-Financial issue.
J. Allam/A. Elliott 5/0
- Article 20 – Package Store All-Alcohol License
A motion was made to take No Action on Article 20 as it is a Non-Financial issue.
J. Cibelli/J. Allam 5/0
Article 25 – Lease of Landfill
Will be taken up on 4/29/13.
- Article 24 – Veteran’s Work-Off Program
A motion was made to recommend Article 24 to create a Veteran’s Tax Work-Off Program modeled after the Senior Work-Off Program.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 5/0
- A motion was made to take No Action on Articles 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 5/0
- A motion was made to take No Action on Articles 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 5/0
- A motion was to approve the Property and Liabilities budget (#193) totaling $340,000.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 5/0
- A motion was made to take No Action on Departmental budget (#996).
- Adjournment
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 PM.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 5/0
The next meeting of the FinCom is scheduled for April 22, 2013. The School Committee and Town Common Trustees are invited to present.
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