Bellingham Finance Committee
Meeting Minutes
June 24, 2013
- FinCom Present: J. Collamati (Chair), J. Allam, J. Cibelli, A. Elliott, R. Szczepan
- FinCom Absent: K. Shkreli (one open FinCom position)
- Meeting called to order at 7:01PM by Chairman Collamati
- It was announced that, as required by State Law, any FinCom members appointed prior to January, 2013 would have to retake the State Ethics Exam and sign appropriate forms. Forms were distributed, and method to access the 45-minute exam was given out (mass.gov/ethics).
- A request was made by the Town Clerk to transfer $6,000 from Town’s Reserve Fund to cover costs of US Senate Special Election. The monies will eventually be reimbursed by the State.
A motion was made to transfer $6,000 from Town Clerk’s Reserve Fund to cover unanticipated cost of US Senate Special Election.
Szczepan/Allam 5/0
- A request was made by the Fire Chief to transfer $15,350 from Town’s
Reserve Fund; monies to be used for unexpected vehicle maintenance.
A motion was made to transfer $15,350 from Reserve Fund to perform needed vehicle maintenance.
Allam/Cibelli 5/0
- A request was made by the Police Chief to transfer $20,000 from Town’s Reserve Fund to be used for legal counsel related to Police Union arbitration.
A motion was made to transfer $20,000 from the Police Department Reserve Fund to pay for legal counsel related to Police Union arbitration.
Allam/Szczepan 4/0 (Mr. Szczepan abstained as he was not in attendance at 5/22/13 meeting)
- A motion was made to accept the May 22, 2013 FinCom Meeting Minutes.
Cibelli/Allam 5/0
- A discussion took place regarding old meeting minutes, record requirements and
Town Meeting Warrant recommendations.
It was agreed that only current year Meeting Minutes need to be kept available online and that previous years’ Minutes would be archived (as required by State statute). Wherever possible, any prior Meeting Minutes that read “DRAFT” would be considered “FINAL” based on confirmation of approval.
Further, it was agreed that the FinCom clerk would research when a particular board/committee voted on an Article on the Town Warrant, and include the recommendation in the Town Meeting booklet. Also, it was agreed that the FinCom would only post a recommendation if the Article has significant financial impact on the Town.
- The State’s Open Meeting Law was discussed and J. Allam had some concerns
as to whether or not the FinCom is required to hold an official (advertised and mailed) public hearing prior to Town Meeting to discuss FinCom recommendations. Mr. Allam concerns stem from ambiguous and conflicting language in Bellingham’s Town Charter document. It was agreed that Mr. Allam would attend the next meeting of the Charter Review Commission (6/26/13) and propose changes to the Charter’s language.
- A motion was made to pay the FinCom Clerk’s stipend of $239 to close out
FY 2013.
Elliott/Allam 5/0
- Old Business – None
- New Business – FinCom Clerk, L. Sposato informed FinCom members that an
Article will be included within the October Town Meeting Warrant, requested by the Planning Board and Master Plan Implementation Committee regarding a Business Zoning Overlay proposed for 14 residential properties along Hartford Avenue from Route 495 to Arrowhead Road. The overlay is being proposed to help boost property values along that heavily traveled and business-rich section of Hartford Avenue. The overlay would give homeowners (and prospective buyers) the option of running a small business within the existing structure. There are very specific parameters that apply, and each applicant would have to seek approval by the Planning Board.
- FinCom Reorganizational Elections
After discussion, the following nominations were put forth and voted upon:
Chair – current FinCom Chair, Joseph Collamati was nominated to remain Chair.
Szczepan/Allam 5/0
Vice Chair – John Allam’s name was placed into nomination to become FinCom Vice Chair.
Szczepan/Cibelli 5/0
Secretary – Raymond Szczepan’s name was put into nomination to become Secretary.
Cibelli/Elliott 5/0
Secretary/Clerk – Larry Sposato’s name was put into nomination to remain FinCom Secretary/Clerk.
Cibelli/Allam 5/0
- The next meeting of the FinCom will be a joint FinCom/CIC meeting, and will
take place on Monday, July 8, 2013, 7PM at the Municipal Center in the Arcand
Room. From then on, all regularly scheduled FinCom meetings will be held on
the fourth Monday of every month at 7PM, unless otherwise noted. All meetings
will be posted on the Town website as well as with the Town Clerk.
- A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:40PM.
Szczepan/Allam 5/0
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Larry Sposato, FinCom Secretary/Clerk
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