Advisory Committee Present: Randy Dinjian
May 21, 2013 Robert Czekanski
Connie Benjamin
Mike Zelenkov
Brad Cote
Terry Abdalian
Linda Day, Town Secretary
The Advisory Committee met at the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.
Present: David Lindsay, Chairman, Board of Selectmen
POST ANNUAL TOWN MEETING DISCUSSION
Overall, the Annual Town Meeting went well, although the Advisory Committee would like to see better attendance at Town Meeting.
Mr. Zelenkov was complimented on the Advisory Committee presentation given at town meeting.
The Advisory Committee discussed improvements that could be made at town meeting which included providing a better explanation of the “Requested FY2014” and “Advisory Approved FY2014” columns printed in the annual town meeting warrant.
The Committee also discussed the tax rate being the 2nd highest in the Commonwealth and solutions for lowering the tax rates.
REORGANIZATION OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Mr. Dinjian’s and Ms. Abdalian’s terms expire on June 30, 2013. Mr. Dinjian would like to continue to serve on the Committee but will not continue as chairman. The Advisory Committee will re-organize at their next meeting.
TRANSFER REQUESTS
Wiring 244: On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Benjamin, the Advisory Committee voted to approve a transfer in the amount of $30.00 to the Wiring Account 244, Line Item Purchase of Service 5200 to pay assistant wiring inspector for inspection done on the chairlift at the Houghton Building. (Dinjian – yes, Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Cote – yes, Abdalian – yes)
Town Reports 195: On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Benjamin, the Advisory Committee voted to approve a transfer in the amount of $75.34 to the Town Reports Account 195, Line Item Purchase of Service 5200 to pay for the printing of the Annual Report. (Dinjian – yes, Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Cote – yes, Abdalian – yes)
Conservation 171: On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Benjamin, the Advisory Committee voted to approve a transfer in the amount of $3,000.00 to the Conservation Commission 171, Line Item 5240 Land Maintenance for land maintenance activities associated with removal and treatment of non-native invasive plans at Bower Springs Area. (Dinjian – yes, Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Cote – yes, Abdalian – yes)
END OF YEAR BUDGET TRANSFERS
On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Benjamin, the Advisory Committee voted to approve the transfer of $1,850 from Town Administrator 123, Line Item training 5201 to Sewer 440, Line Item Purchase of Service 5200 to pay for 15% of the monthly usage and maintenance costs for the wastewater treatment plant. (Dinjian – yes, Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Cote – yes, Abdalian – yes)
COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS AND STEP INCREASES
At present, town employees covered by union contracts receive both (1) annual step increases and (2) Cost-of-Living-Adjustments (COLA) in their salaries each year. Furthermore, the COLA is calculated after the step increase is added.
The Advisory Committee was all in favor of sending a letter to the Board of Selectmen recommending that union contract negotiations starting July 1, 2013 include either step increases or cost-of-living adjustment but not both.
NEXT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
The Advisory Committee will meet on June 18th, 2013.
On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Zelonkov, the Advisory Committee voted to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. (Dinjian – yes, Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Cote – yes, Abdalian – yes)
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day
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