Finance Committee
Capital Improvement Committee
Minutes
Bellingham Municipal Center
Monday, April 20, 2015
1. FinCom Present: Joseph Collamati, John Allam, Matthew Fernandes, Judith Cibelli
CIC Present: Roland Lavalle, Joseph Collamati, Judith Cibelli
2. FinCom Absent: Sean Coyle, Alexander J. Elliott, Raymond Szczepan
CIC Absent: Jerry Mayhew, Raymond Szczepan
3. Fincom meeting called to order: 7:00 p.m.
CIC meeting called to order: 7:00 p.m.
4. Budget item 300 - Bellingham Public Schools
The Superintendent and the School Committee Chairman presented the 2015-2016 $23,203,397 budget. The following items were noted:
- the impact of closing Macy school - approximately $172K of building costs eliminated, heat, utilities, etc.
- approximately 82% of the total budget is contractually fixed – wages determined under existing union contracts.
- the net addition of 9.6 new positions.
- a net decrease of approximately 20 students system wide.
- a summary presentation of the developing IT Tech Plan.
- the budget does not reflect any savings that may be realized from the “Pay to Ride” bus transportation program.
8 new ABA hires – Applied Behavioral.
a/c 300 SPED increased to $2.62M, up from $2.52M.
A state mandate requires services be provided to certain disabled students age 19-22. There are 6 students within this mandate budgeted next year with tuition of $400K before circuit breaker reimbursement.
- The $23.2M School budget does not include the employer’s share of employee health insurance of $3.626M and Bus Transportation of $2.02M which is included in the Town’s budget separate from the School budget.
Also excluded from the School budget is the contribution to the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System paid by the State. This amount was $4.93M in the year ended June 30, 2013.
An additional amount is budgeted for stipends for summer professional development.
Joseph Collamati / Matthew Fernandes motion to recommend Bellingham Public School Budget in the amount of $23,203,397. Vote 4/0.
5. Mr. DiMartino presented the following budgets:
421 Highway Administration $185,607
422 Highway Construction $780,131
423 Snow & Ice $100,000
425 Highway Equipment Maintenance $118,000.
There was a discussion related to under-budgeting the snow and ice budget a/c 423. It was explained this has been the practice for many years. The expected expense in excess of the amount budgeted will be paid out of free cash, the same as past years practice.
Joseph Collamati / Matthew Fernandes motion to recommend Budget accounts 421, 422, 423, and 425. Vote 4/0.
- Mr. DiMartino presented Article 3 Water Enterprise.
- No rate increase is proposed.
Matthew Fernandes /Judy Cibelli motion to recommend Article 3. Vote 4/0.
- Mr. DiMartino presented Article 4 Sewer Enterprise.
- No rate increase is proposed.
Matthew Fernandes /Judy Cibelli motion to recommend Article 3. Vote 4/0.
- Mr. DiMartino presented Article 19 Snett Parking.
Joseph Collamati / Judith Cibelli motion to recommend Article 19. Vote 4/0.
- Mr. DiMartino presented Article 20 Hartford Ave Drainage Easement.
Joseph Collamati / Matthew Fernandes motion to recommend Article 20. Vote 4/0.
- Mr. DiMartino presented Article 21 Pine Grove Avenue Sewer Pump Station Easement.
Joseph Collamati / Matthew Fernandes motion to recommend Article 21. Vote 4/0.
- Mr. DiMartino presented Article 24 Oak Hill Cemetery.
Judy Cibelli / Matthew Fernandes motion to recommend Article 24. Vote 4/0.
- Mr. DiMartino presented Article 8 Highway Construction.
Judy Cibelli / Matthew Fernandes motion to recommend Article 8. Vote 4/0.
13. Article 13 – Capital Outlay (over $50,000)
Mr. DiMartino requested transferring $185,000 from sewer surplus for the Pine Grove Sewer Pump Station.
Joseph Collamati / Matthew Fernandes motion to recommend transferring $185,000 from sewer surplus for the Pine Grove Pump Station. Vote 4/0.
14. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Mail/Correspondence/Etc.:
None
15. Bills. A $19,534.91 RWWTS bill to be paid from sewer surplus was approved.
Judy Cibelli / Matthew Fernandes motion to approve. Vote 4/0.
16. Minutes:
April 13, 2015
Joseph Collamati / Judith Cibelli motion to accept. Vote 4/0
17. Motion to adjourn FINCOM.
Joe Collamati / Judith Cibelli. Vote 4/0 Time 8:47 p.m.
18. Motion to adjourn CIC.
Joe Collamati / Judith Cibelli. Vote 3/0 Time 8:47 p.m.
(Accepted by Finance Committee on April 27, 2015)
(Accepted by Capital Improvement Committee on July 13, 2015)
| 
