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MINUTES09.19.2015
Joint Meeting of Finance Committee and Capital Improvement Committee
Minutes
Bellingham Municipal Center
Saturday September 19, 2015 9:00am


  • FinCom Present: Joe Collamati, John Allam, Kevin Keppler, Alex Elliott, Kelly Grant
CIC Present: Joe Collamati, Jerry Mayhew, Roland Lavallee,

  • FinCom Absent: Matt Fernandes
CIC Absent: Matt Fernandes

  • Meeting called to order:  9a
4.  Fire Department Chief Gentile-
        Chief presented 3 estimates, and Roland L. one estimate. Chiefs three come in above $100K, Roland’s, $64K.  Mike Soter said the selectmen would like to put this project out to formal bid in January for spring 2016 construction. BOS is not prepared to go forward with this project without a proper bid process. A discussion about the deteriorating condition of the asphalt and concrete, the added costs of doing work in the winter months compared to warmer months, the need for formal bid process and formal bid and a general discussion of the proper corrective reconstruction and construction techniques including materials resulted. It was noted that the FINCOM cannot vote until the BOS, others, propose expending funds, and, as of today, there is no proposed expenditure. No vote or other action was taken by the Finance Committee on this matter.
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  • STM Warrant Article Discussions:
  • Article 1. Amend Article 1 – FY 2015 Budget: Denis Fraine presented the amendments to Article 1, including a decrease of the school transportation budget: All Salaries with the exception of Transportation
122 Selectmen                      $  615                            123 Town Administrator           $1,860
135 Chief Financial Officer  $2,150                           137 Assessors                           $1,150
145 Treasurer/Collector        $8,000                           152 Human Resources              $605
154 M.I.S.                             $ 3,890                          161 Town Clerk                        $450
172 Planning                         $6,000                           210 Police Department
220 Fire Department                                                   251 Town Inspector                  $1,135
253 Inspec of Plumb&Gas    $250                             292 Animal Control                   $ 850
303 School Transportation    $ -100,000                    421 Highway Administration    $7,521
422 Highway Construction   $3,450                           510 Board of Health                  $3,795
541 Council on Aging           $520                             610 Library                                $1,370

The increase in salaries is the result of recently agreed union contract negotiations. The decrease in school transportation is the result of the fee to ride the school buses for certain students, and other school bus transportation changes.
Joe C made a motion to amend Article 1 funded by taxation. Second by Alex E, Recommended 5/0 by FC


  • Article 2.  Amend Article 2- Trash Enterprise: Joe C made a motion to amend article 2 as presented, for increased salary expenses based on recent contract negotiations, funding source trash receipts. Second by Kevin K, Recommended 5/0 by FC

  • Article 3. Amend Article 3- Water Enterprise: Joe C made a motion to amend article 3 as presented, for increase salary expenses based on recent contract negotiations, funding source water receipts. Second by Kevin K, Recommended 5/0 by FC, CIC motion made by Joe c, Second Jerry M, Recommended 3-0
  • Article 4. Amend Article 4- Sewer Enterprise: Joe C made a motion to amend article 4 as presented, for increase in salary expenses based on recent contract negotiations,  funding source sewer receipts. Second Kevin K,   Recommended 5/0 by FC. CIC motion made by Joe c, Second Jerry M, Recommended 3-0
  • Article 5. Capital Outlay (expenditures over $50,000):
  • (CIC) Joe C- Motion to appropriate $82K for DPW Fork lift –free cash- , Second by Jerry M. Recommended 3/0 by CIC
  • Motion to recommend spending  645,000$ for the Old Mill Dam project, funding source is borrowing -  CIC- Motion made by Joe C, Second Jerry M, Recommended 3/0 by CIC. Motion made by Kevin K, Second by Alex E, Recommended 5/0 by FC


  • Article 6. Capital Outlay (expenditures less than $50,00)
  • 2 Police Cruisers, each equipped with new computer and radio ($47,236.82 and $45,297.82 respectively) Motion made by Joe C to recommend total of $92,534.64 for purchase of 2 police cruisers, funding source free cash. Second by Alex E. Recommended 5/0 FC
  • 1 Asphalt Hot Box to be used by DPW ($25,000) Motion made by Joe C to recommend purchase of Asphalt Hot Box, funding source free cash. Second Alex E. Recommended 5/0 by FC
  • Multi-function copy machine for Municipal Center ($12,500) Motion made by Joe C to recommend purchase of Multi-Function copy machine, funding source free cash. Second by Kevin K, Recommended 5/0 by FC
  • Half the cost of new animal control pickup truck, other half to be paid by Franklin ($11,000) Motion made by Joe C to recommend appropriation of funds for half cost of pickup truck, funding from free cash. Second by Kevin K, Recommended 5/0 by FC
  • 5 digital scan vote tabulators, 1 spare precinct tabulators ($35,200) Motion made by Joe C to recommend purchase of tabulators, funding source free cash. Second by Kevin K, Recommended 5/0 by FC
  • GASB45 Actuarial Valuation ($9800). Motion made by Joe C to appropriate funds for valuation, funding source free cash. Second by Kevin K, Recommended 5/0 by FC
  • Motion made by Joe C to appropriate $5,000 from free cash for purposes of an engineering study for FD Concrete Ramp. Second by Kevin K, Recommended 5/0 by FC. CIC: Joe c/ Jerry M 3/0


  • Article 8. Macy School Demolition- No Vote taken, no update from previous meeting discussion, bids are due on Oct 8th
  • Article 11. Pine Grove Avenue Sewer Pump Station Easement- previously funded and approved at prior town meeting. Motion made by Joe C to recommend approval for the easement, Second by John A. Recommended 5/0 by FC
  • Article 14- Lease of land for solar panel canopies at Stall Brook- It was noted by Mr. Fraine that the School Committee recently approved this project. Alex E made a motion to recommend. Second by Kevin K. Recommended 5/0 by FC

  • Article 15. Roadway Improvements- Authorizing to borrow $1mil bond.  This is a supplement to Chapter 90 funds from state ($540,000). A discussion noted the need to discuss and determine preferred method for road repairs, road improvements and road construction, funding by borrowing or annual budget appropriations, no decision was made but the need for further discussion was emphasized. Kevin K made a motion to authorize the borrowing of $1M through bonding for roadway improvements. Second by Kelly G. Recommended 4-1 by FC.
  • Article 23-27. To be presented at next meeting Sept 28th FC meeting
 
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  • Bills-  
  • Kelly Grant, Clerk Pay- August & September      Alex E made a motion to approve the invoice submitted by Kelly G in amount of $630.34 for the Clerk Stipend for the months of Aug and Sept. Second by Kevin K, approved 4-0 (Kelly G abstained )
  • Minutes:
                September 10, 2015 (Alexander Elliott, Matt Fernandes) Motion was made
                By Kevin K to approve minutes, Second Alex E, recommended 4-0


Adjourned:  10:17am