Bellingham Finance Committee
Meeting Minutes – 4/29/13
Members Present: J. Collamati (Chair), J. Allam, J. Cibelli A. Elliott, K. Shkreli,
R. Szczepan
Members Absent: K. Quinn
- Meeting was brought to order at 7PM by Chairman Collamati.
- Chairman Collamati announced that further amendments to Article 1 of $5,000 and $15,000 would be deferred until June’s FinCom meeting, as requested by the Fire Department.
- The Fire Department Budget (Account #220) of $2,012,826 was discussed with Fire Chief Gentile. The Chief requested that the budget be revised to contain salaries for 4 new hires. Funding for said salaries would come from Ambulance Receipts. The increase of 4 FTE’s would allow the Wrentham Street station to re-open on a 7 day/week schedule. The rationale for re-opening the station:
- 42% of Bellingham’s population lives in precincts 4, 4A and 5 which would be better served by the Wrentham Street location.
- Decreased response times. Due to increased traffic, the response time from Blackstone Street to South Bellingham has been increasing to dangerous levels.
- A second ambulance could be activated on nights and weekends, thus increasing Medicare and insurance revenues.
The additional cost for the 4 new position would be $222,792, thus increasing the
overall departmental budget to $2,235,618.
A motion was made to support the addition of 4 fire department employees for a
total sum of $222,792 from Ambulance Receipts, and the total Fire Department
budget of $2,235,618.
Szczepan/Allam 6/0
- Article 23 –Public Library Renovation
At the request of the Library Board of Trustees, Article 23 is being passed over.
A motion was made to recommend that Article 23 be passed over.
Allam/Elliott 6/0
- Although no layoffs are anticipated for FY 2014, a request was made to transfer
$100,000 into the Unemployment Trust Fund as a contingency.
A motion was made to recommend the transfer of $100,000 into the Unemployment Trust Fund.
Cibelli/Szczepan 6/0
- Article 9, Amend Article 1 (School Transportation)
CFO C. Laviolette requested that the funding sources for $151,100 in additional school transportation costs (for athletic transportation and SPED) be as follows:
$105,100 from budget, $46,000 from Free Cash.
C. Laviolette requested that $11,149 within the Fire Department budget be funded by AFG Grant Match.
C. Laviolette requested that $425,355 in additional Snow/Ice removal be funded from Free Cash.
A motion was made to recommend that a total of $587,604 in funding source amendments be made to Article 9 (amending Article1).
Szczepan/Allam 6/0
- Article 14 – Non-Capital Outlay (under $50,000)
A new generator is needed for the Police Annex. It will continue to be deployed in its original location even after a new police station is built.
A motion was made to recommend that $26,000 be allocated to purchase a new police generator to be funded as follows: $20,000 from the Police Generator Account and $6,000 from Free Cash.
Elliott/Cibelli 6/0
- Article 25 – Lease of Landfill
A proposal has been made to lease capped landfill site for use as a solar panel field. The solar energy company will be renting the land only to support the panels.
A motion was made to recommend Article 24.
Szczepan/Allam 6/0
- Article 42 – Unpaid Bills
$7,929.85 has been requested to satisfy unpaid bills to fulfill Town Planner salary contractual obligations and to fund additional license software module.
A motion was made to recommend the payment of $7,929.85 in unpaid bills stemming from Town Planner salary contractual obligations and the purchase of an additional licensed software module. $7,929.85 to be funded from Long Term Interest Account.
Elliott/Szczepan 6/0
- Article 13 – Capital Outlay over $50,000
A motion was made to change the funding source to Long Term Interest Account to pay for $185,000 in School Technology upgrades.
Szczepan/Allam 6/0
11) Old Business
A motion was made to approve the 3/25/13 Meeting Minutes as written.
Szczepan/Cibelli 5/0
A motion was made to approve the 4/22/13 Meeting Minutes with amendments.
Szczepan/Elliott 6/0
The next meeting was scheduled for 5/22/13 at 7PM (just prior to the Annual Town Meeting) in the Bellingham High School Library.
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting.
Allam/Szczepan 6/0
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Larry Sposato, Clerk
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