Finance Committee Minutes
Bellingham Municipal Center
Monday, February 23, 2015
1. FinCom Present: John Allam, Matthew J. Fernandes, Judith Cibelli, Raymond Szczepan.
2. FinCom Absent: Joseph Collamati, Alexander J. Elliott, Sean Coyle
3. Meeting called to order: 7:00 p.m.
There was no Finance Committee meeting in January because of the snow storms.
4. VOTE ON EMERGENCY SPENDING FOR SNOW & ICE ACCOUNT
Donald DiMartino, Department of Public Works Superintendant
As of February 23, 2015 $615, 000 has been spent on snow & ice removal for this winter. The Finance Committee was concerned about underfunding the budget. Christopher Laviolette explained that if the Town budgets an amount too large and the money is not spent, the Snow & Ice budget cannot be reduced. With a lower budget the Town can spend the entire amount and request an emergency spending vote from Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee with the extra money coming from Free Cash. The Board of Selectmen is reviewing the Snow & Ice budget to request a slight increase for FY2016.
Raymond Szczepan/Judith Cibelli motion to authorize emergency spending to continue the necessary snow and ice removal. Vote: 4/0.
5. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Chapter 90 money (Department of Public Works)
Facebook posting from Rep. Kevin Kuros:
Thank you Gov. Baker for releasing the $100M in Chapter 90 highway funding that the legislature authorized but which Gov. Patrick held back. For my towns it means:
Bellingham - $270,721
b. Mail/Correspondence/Etc.:
i. Email from Department of Public Works re: US EPA Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Draft Regulations.
Finance Committee asked Donald DiMartino how much will be spent in next year's budget on this. Donald DiMartino stated that there is $50,000 in the Department of Public Works budget for engineering.
ii. Conflict of Interest Compliance packet from Town Clerk.
(all members will complete the compliance)
iii. Blackstone Valley Tech handout, "Stories That Inspire Success, 2014"
iv. Patrick Administration Awards Nearly $200,000 in School Safety and Security Grants (Bellingham Website)
v. Finance Committee 2015 Yearly Meeting Schedule.
vi. Please be advised that the Selectmen opened the May Town Meeting Warrant on January 5th and set the closing date for February 13th, 12 noon.
vii. Any last minute correspondence, mail, etc.
6.
Bills: None
Minutes:
a. November 24, 2015 (Alexander J. Elliott, Sean Coyle);
Raymond Szczepan/Judith Cibelli motion to accept the November 24th minutes. Vote 4/0.
b. Where is Minute Book? (Maybe in the old Town Hall)
Adjourned: Raymond Szczepan/Judith Cibelli motion to adjourn. Vote 4/0. 7:20 pm
(Accepted: March 23, 2015)
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