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MINUTES10.14.2015
Finance Committee Minutes
Bellingham High School- Library
Wednesday October 14, 2015 6:30pm

  • FinCom Present: John Allam, Kelly Grant, Matt Fernandes, Alex Elliott
                        Joe Collamati arrived at 640p, Kevin Keppler arrived at 650p
  • FinCom Absent:
  • Meeting called to order: 6:30p
        
     ___________________________________________________________________________
  • Don DiMartino- Snow and Ice Emergency Funds: With the construction of a bigger salt shed, and half the salt order already delivered, Don and Denis Fraine are asking that we amend article 1, (423 Snow and Ice Expenditures) to add $160,000 to be funded from free cash. In addition, by ordering the salt early, Don was able to secure a $7 per ton discount.
Motion made by AE to amend Article 1, 423 Snow and Ice Expenditures to include $160,000 funding from free cash. Seconded by MF. Recommended by FC 4-0

  • Amend Article 1 (189 Municipal Buildings Expense): DF states that due to the move of school offices to and renovations of Annex building, as well as Conversation Commission and Planning Board moving to Municipal Center, $15,000 will need to be raised from Taxation to cover these expenses.
Motion made by MF to amend Article 1 (189 Municipal Building Expenses) to raise a sum of $15,000 through taxation to cover moving and renovation expenses. Seconded by  KG. Recommended by FC 4-0

  • Amend Article 2 – Trash Enterprises: Deficit in the trash receipts. Bills have gone unpaid for services already rendered, and town also covers services to municipal buildings. The current town contract with trash company is $1.5 MIL per year. Recommendation from DF and DM is to raise a sum of $250,000 from taxation. Goal would also be to return money to the General Fund once it is collected.
Motion made by MF to amend Article 2 and raise a sum of $250,000 from taxation. Seconded by AE. Recommended by FC 4-0

  • Amend Article 5, C School Department Roof over BHS Library. Recommending changing funding source from Capital Improvement Fund to Free Cash.
Motion made by AE to change funding source from Capital Improvement Fund to Free Cash. Seconded by MF. Recommended by FC 5-0

  • Amend Article 5, L Wrentham Manor Sewer Station Force Main Replacement. Recommend modifying funding source to include $38,000 coming from Free Cash, remainder ($340,000) coming from Sewer Surplus.  Motion made by MF to modify fund sources as stated above. Seconded by AE. Recommended by FC 5-0
  • Amend Article 6, G Replace Vehicle BW-9 (Water Sewer Vehicle) - Recommending changing fund source. Will now be funded entirely from Water Surplus in the amount of $50,000. Motion made by AE to change funding source as stated above. Seconded by MF. Recommended by FC 6-0.
  • Article 8 Macy School Demolition: Recommendation made by Board of Selectmen and DF to raise a sum of $750,000 from free cash for the demolition of Macy School. DF states that the bid that came in was $659,000. Discussion took place as to if it worth it to take it down, based on land values etc. As of today the valuation of the land has not taken place. Mike Suter commented that 75 abutting residents showed up at the meeting that was held last week to support the tear down. Residents are concerned about vandalism to the vacant building. AE and KG expressed concern about spending $750,000 to tear down building when we do not have a land value.
        Motion made by KK to recommend raising a sum of $750,000 from free cash for the          demolition of Macy School.  Seconded by JC. NOT recommended by FC 2-4

  • Article 9 Pearl Street Mill Demolition: Amend article 9 to only appropriate a sum of $50,000 for the purposes of an engineering study and NOT pursue $350,000 for the complete demolition.
Motion made by KG to amend Article 9 as stated above. Seconded by MF. Recommended by FC 6-0

  • Article 23 Transfer of Funds to O.P.E.B. Trust: CFO is recommending the transfer of $100,000 from Free Cash to the O.P.E.B. trust.
Motion made by JC to transfer $100,000 from free cash to O.P.E.B. Trust. Seconded by MF. Recommended by FC 6-0

  • Article 24 Stabilization Fund: CFO is recommending the transfer of $100,000 from Free Cash to the Stabilization fund.
Motion made by KG to transfer $100,000 from free cash to the Stabilization Fund. Seconded by AE. Recommended by FC 6-0

  • Article 25 Tax Stabilization Fund: CFO is recommending the transfer of $100,000 from Free Cash to the Tax Stabilization Fund.
Motion made by AE to transfer $100,000 from free cash to the Tax Stabilization Fund. Seconded by MF. Recommended by FC 6-0

  • Article 26 Capital Improvement Trust Fund. CFO is recommending the transfer of $100,000 from Free Cash to the Capital Improvement Trust Fund.
Motion made by JC to transfer $100,000 from free cash to the Capital Improvement Trust Fund. Seconded by AE. Recommended by FC 6-0.

  • Amend Article 27 Unpaid Bills. CFO is recommending we amend Article 27 Unpaid Bills to include an additional bill for the School Department from MASC in the amount of $1,500.
Motion made by JK to amend article as stated above. Seconded by KG. Recommended by FC 6-0

Adjourned:  7pm.