Advisory Committee Present: David Lindsay
December 15, 2009 Burt Shnitzler
Randy Dinjian
Bob Czekanski (left at 8:30 p.m.)
Connie Benjamin
Terry Abdalian
Linda Day, Town Secretary
The Advisory Committee met at the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Present: Board of Assessors Jeff Nichols, Susan Mason, Charlotte Johnston, Assistant Assessor Cynthia Bradbury, and Principal Assessor Harald Scheid
Mr. Scheid provided the Advisory Committee with a copy of the Assessment/Classification Report for FY2010.
Mr. Scheid provided a summary of fiscal year 2010 tax increase accounting that estimated the base levy limit for FY10 to be $13,753,791, which is the total of the base levy limit, proposition 2-1/2 allowable increase and new growth revenue from FY09. This represents a 6.08% increase in actual levy.
Mr. Scheid reported that during previous discussions with the Department of Revenue (DOR) and the utilities representative, he was advised by the DOR that in order to get our wireless telecommunications evaluation certified we should use the Department of Revenue factors or be prepared to hire a consultant in that area to develop new factors. The decision was made at that time to value the assets by using the Department of Revenue factors rather than incur the cost of hiring a consultant. Since then the Assessors have received a letter from the DOR referring to a newly adopted alternative depreciation schedule, which resulted in much lower valuations than the previous schedule. At a recent meeting the Board of Assessors decided to go with alternative schedule. Mr. Scheid is in negotiations with New
Cingular and he hopes to reach a compromise on valuations for prior years.
The Board of Assessors confirmed that $150,000 would be coming back to the Town from the overlay reserve. They also said that we should reduce the amount budgeted for the overlay reserve in FY2011 from $325,000 to $125,000. Mr. Lindsay will inform Ms. Costello, Town Accountant of these changes.
The Advisory Committee also discussed the possibility of replenishing the stabilization fund to offset the $175,000 that was transferred from the stabilization fund to the assessor’s overlay account at the Annual Town Meeting on May 4, 2009.
DISCUSSION OF PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY OIL LEAK
Present: Susan Mason and Mark Giunta, Public Safety Center Construction Committee member
Ms. Mason reported that the budget for the removal of the tank and soil that was built into the construction of the public safety center budget has been exceeded. During removal of the tank, the contamination was discovered. The Committee has hired a Licensed Site Professional (LSP) and samples have been taken and sent to the lab for an analysis.
Maguire Group Inc. has submitted a proposal to the Committee for the next phase of the environmental services that will keep the LSP on site and continue with the testing.
Depending on results, monitoring wells may be required. A letter has been sent to the abutters to let them know what has occurred. The Committee will be reviewing the proposal from Maguire Group Inc. at their meeting on Wednesday, December 16, 2009, if the proposal is accepted; it will be considered an amendment to the existing contract.
There is a balance of $150,000 left in the Public Safety Center budget after all contingencies are accounted for. There are items not budgeted for that include appliances, landscaping, change orders and items for the fire department. The initial funds needed for the Maguire proposal are estimated at $25,000 and will, for the time being, come out of the Public Safety Center Construction budget. Once the total cost is determined funds will be sought at town meeting.
PLANNING FOR LINE-BY-LINE REVIEWS OF DEPARTMENT BUDGETS
There have not been any changes since the November 24, 2009 budget spreadsheets. At present we have unallocated free cash of $31,429. If we get another $200,000 because of the reduction in the Overlay Reserve, as a result of the wireless telecommunication’s situation, the Advisory Committee might consider an increase in the school budget and the possibility of a cost of living adjustment. Ms. Abdalian hoped that there would be additional funds left for other items such as a social worker or senior center.
Mr. Shnitzler stated that at present there are three large unknowns that include the Fyfeshire Dam repair, the contamination at the Public Safety Center and the space needs issues. It is his opinion that we can’t decide on anything additional until some of these issues are resolved.
The Advisory Committee will meet on January 5, 12, 19 & 26, February 2, 9, 23 and March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2010. Departments will be scheduled to meet with the Committee to review their FY11 budgets.
TRANSFER REQUEST
On a motion made by Shnitzler and seconded by Dinjian, the Advisory Committee voted to approve a transfer request in the amount of $100.00 for longevity for an employee. This was required because the amount budgeted for longevity was incorrect. (Lindsay – yes, Shnitzler – yes, Dinjian – yes, Benjamin – yes, Abdalian – yes)
Meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day
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