Bellingham Finance Committee
Meeting Minutes – 4/22/13
Members Present: J. Collamati (Chair), J. Allam, A. Elliott, K. Shkreli, R. Szczepan
Members Absent: J. Cibelli, K. Quinn (8:15)
1) Meeting was brought to order at 7PM by Chairman Collamati.
DPW Director Don DiMartino was present to discuss Article 21 (proposed Drainage Easements – Stone and Beech Streets) and Article 22 (proposed Wrentham Road Drainage Easements).
Mr. DiMartino requested that Article 22 be passed over for the ATM.
A motion was made to PASSOVER Article 22 as requested by DPW Director.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 5/0
Several easements are being proposed on the ATM Warrant (Article 21) amounting to $30,000 affecting 5 properties on Beech and Stone Streets.
A motion was made to recommend Article 21 regarding easements on Beech and Stone Streets. $30,000 will be transferred from “Road Bond Account”.
J. Allam/A. Elliott 5/0
Ted Bailey, Vice Chairman of the Town Common Trustees presented their request for $17,342 to facilitate repairs to the 15 year old Common playground. Repairs will be to equipment and drainage issues.
A motion was made to recommend the expenditure of no more than $18,000 from “Free Cash” for Town Common Playground Repairs.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 5/0
A joint meeting of the Finance and School Committees was called to order. Vice Chairman Szczepan presided on behalf of the Finance Committee; Chairman Collamati recused himself, as a family member may be impacted by the School Committee budget. School Committee members Cartier (Chair), Ranieri (Vice Chair), Carr, Jennings, and Martel were present, as was Superintendent Fleury. The Chairs explained that there is a 3.7% increase in the overall budget, and that administrative, teacher, aide, custodian, SPED teacher salaries comprise 82% of the FY 2014 School Budget. It was further explained that teacher contracts are still under negotiation.
A motion was made to approve the FY 2014 School Budget of $20,985,196 as presented.
J. Allam/A. Elliott 4/0 (J. Collamati recused)
Joint meeting of FinCom and School Committee was adjourned. FinCom meeting
was reconvened with Chairman Collmati presiding.
A motion was made to accept the School Technology Budget of $185,000 as proposed, with funding from “Free Cash”.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 5/0
A motion was made to approve the School Busing Budget (#303) of $1,932,000 (paid for by the Municipal side of government) as proposed.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 5/0
- A motion was made to increase the Sewer Budget by $300 to a total of $985,682
as requested by DPW Director Don DiMartini to correct an accounting error.
J. Allam/A. Elliott 5/0
Minutes from the 3/11/13, 3/25/13 and 4/8/13 FinCom meetings were reviewed, and voted as follows:
A motion was made to accept the 3/11/13 minutes as written.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 5/0
A motion was made to accept the 4/8/13 minutes with amendments.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 4/0 (K. Shkreli was absent on 4/8/13)
A motion was made to pass on the 3/25/13 minutes at this time, as there is not a quorum of 3/25/13 meeting attendees present to approve.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 5/0
The next meeting of the FinCom will take place on 4/29/13 at 7PM. At that meeting, the Fire Chief will present his department’s budget, the Library Board of Trustees will present their final number for renovations to be included in the ATM Warrant, unpaid bills will be reviewed and Article 25 (Lease of Landfill) will be discussed.
Having no further new business, and having satisfied the agenda, a motion was made to adjourn the meeting.
R. Szczepan/J. Allam 5/0
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Larry Sposato, Finance Committee Clerk
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