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Approved with corrections.
Budget Meeting # 7
Finance Advisory Committee and Selectmen
28 February 2007
Present for the Committee: Present for the Board of Selectmen:
Marshall Carroll, Chair Frank Fenner
Sarah Shipway PersonNameJ. B. Riggs Parker
William Randol PersonNameWarren Doty
PersonNameRichard Williams
PersonNameFrank Yeomans Staff members:
(Vacant membership) PersonNameTim Carroll, Executive Secretary
Melanie Becker, Treasurer
Russell Walton, Secretary pro tem.
Also present:
Shellfish Advisory Committee Emmett Carroll, John Armstrong, & John Larsen
M. V. Cultural Council - Chris Dryer & Bonnie George
Fire Chief - David Norton
Chairman Marshall Carroll called the discussion to order at 7:30 PM.
PersonNameTim Carroll passed out a (pink) sheet of changes since the budget process started - mostly decreases. A few items were discussed, such as the figures for Alocal estimated receipts - hand-corrected to read Aup to $900,000". According to Mr. Doty and PersonNameTim Carroll, this is Awhat the State finds approvable@. This was intentionally underestimated Afor safety@.
Depending on what the final school budgets are and how VTA charges are dealt with, we should be able to avoid an override, Tim hopes.
Sarah Shipway calculated that if the budget holds at $6,072,549 then the increase would be approximately 2.656 %
Members of the Shellfish Advisory Committee were recognized. PersonNameTim Carroll noted that there were three articles on the warrant arising from the Advisory Committee=s advice:
>A AStanding@ Shellfish Committee
>A Shellfish propagator to be hired at Grade 8 (an amended position description was supplied by PersonNameTim Carroll),
> and funding for the first year of the Committee=s proposals.
John Larsen explained a five-year plan put together by the Advisory Committee.
Year 1.g Establish a Standing committee that would oversee the activities of the propagator, whose work would be experimental to a considerable degree.
.g Develop an AUpweller@, to improve vertical circulation of water in Menemsha Pond, to include a system
of spawning cages to increase fertilization and spat collectors to improve survival rates.
g Do water quality testing.
g Spread around seed shellfish if they are found in dense patches.
g Start research into in-Town shellfish records,
g Research historical and maybe legal access to the town=s ponds, including and with some emphasis on assuring access for family shell fishing.
Year 2 g Open the sand-filled culverts into Lovey=s cove from the body of Menemsha Pond [Under
AShort Beach, Bezanson].
g Investigate the access into Squibnocket pond - make sure of correct location.
g Investigate the possibility of dredging the Menemsha Pond Inlet channel, with reference to the Bathymetric study and model done in cooperation with the Wampanoag tribe.
g Continue water testing, move and spread seed as needed.
Year 3. gReview results - it will take a couple of years to see notable changes.
gContinue water testing, moving seed spat collection and grow-out.
Year 4.g Research and possibly implement increased salt circulation into Squibnocket and Stonewall ponds, possibly using windmills like those on Long Island.
g Build another upweller, with spawning cages and spat collectors or grow-out cages (as appropriate to the season). The upwelling current carries nutrients, algae, etc. to improve the vigor of the shellfish.
Year 5 g Repeat actions, which are seen to improve the shellfish, supply
Mr. Larsen commented that ABay@ scallops have been disappearing along the eastern seaboard. The Vineyard has the best remaining supply, with Nantucket second
It was emphasized that we should be doing an aggressive water quality-testing program. Parts of Tisbury Great pond were closed to shell fishing recently - possibly for good reason. Other places around have been in closed status for long periods, due in part at least to a lag in State testing of waters
Mr. Williams asked whether there was a Aproduction target@ intended, but was told that there is too much variability from year to year and even month to month to make predictions . What we can do is improve the water quality - we have a lot of water area in need of improvement. Mr. Larsen pointed out that we would be increasing broodstock numbers and
survivability of the offspring by growing spat to seed size.
There was a discussion of the various Wampanoag programs and changes.
Mr. Yeomans asked about the haul; he was told that Mr. Larsen had brought in 200 bushels himself, but he could not speak for the others.
Mr. Williams asked whether the propagator would be able to do the entire job himself?
Mr. Larsen suggested that volunteer help would be hoped for, also that the Constable might be able to help
Mr. Parker noted that the operations costs for the first year are listed as $15,000.
Mr. Fenner noted that there is also an item of $30.000 for the MV Shellfish Group.
Marshall Carroll asked for a motion: Ms. Shipway moved to approve the entire program & budget, Mr. Randol seconded, all voted in favor.
The Martha=s Vineyard Cultural Council was represented by Chris Dryer and Bonnie George. Ms. Dryer said that four years ago the individual Town Cultural councils were coalesced to form the MV Cultural Council. The group usually receives about $13,000 from the State, plus various amounts from the towns. The resulting amount is sought by about 40 individuals or groups, who submit applications, which are supposed to include detailed budgets. Some grants are @Pass grants@, the money from which is used for museum entrance fees, transportation to events, and the like. Other Anormal@ grants support a wide variety of activities. In many cases, the money is intended to be only a start-up, with the hope that other sources of support will be developed once an activity gets started. It was noted that The Yard=s performances in the schools are supported by annual grants.
Ms. Dryer asked whether the council should come to the budget hearings each year, or does the process become automatic? She was advised that whether their budget was submitted as a line item or as a warrant article, the council should both write and make a personal appearance - as done this year.
PersonNameTim Carroll noted that the photographs on the wall in the stairwell and artwork elsewhere in the building were results of Council-supported programs.
Ms. Shipway moved to approve the budget, Mr. Randol seconded, all approved.
David Norton, Fire Chief, came to argue for and support the Brushbreaker purchase.
He had in hand a detailed specification and potential purchase contract - for $413,000.
This is from E. J. Murphy, who is known to produce good brushbreakers. Mr. Norton is of the opinion that the few other people likely to bid when the process is started don=t build good machines. They Adon=t know how to build a brushbreaker@. He cited from the specifications he had in hand several items he considered important: double frame, cab and chassis 2008, 4-wheel, stainless steel piping, and the Compressed Air Foam system (CAFS), which increases the effectiveness of water applied to a fire by at least 4X (up to 10X). (The foam system smothers fire much more efficiently, by preventing access by Oxygen to the flame.) He said that delivery would be slow - on the order of 12 - 16 months, and explained some of the reasons.
Riggs Parker wanted to know whether the price would hold to the (delayed) delivery date? The answer was that yes, it is a firm amount.
PersonNameTim Carroll and Mr. Parker discussed the bidding, concluded that the bidding process should be completed before the ATM. They and Frank Fenner discussed use of Free Cash and various Stabilization funds, in varying amounts. There was discussion of using this year=s ATM request for $30,000 for Fire Department stabilization, but it was pointed out by Mr. Norton that we need to budget forward for a new tanker (2010?).
The decision was to take $30,000 from the Fire Stabilization Fund, use $120,000 of AFree Cash@ to total $150,000 (to add to the $265,000 already set aside for a new machine).
PersonNameTim Carroll later cited the capital plan for the Fire Department:
Land for a new firehouse - $500,000
Fire station construction - $100,000?
Brushbreaker - $375,000 (previous calculation)
Tanker - $300,000
Replacement for #122 - ???
Mr. Doty was horrified by the cost, and indicated he would not vote to approve.
Mr. Randol asked the longevity of such a machine, and was told 30 years. This calculated out to less than $14,000 per year.
For a price comparison, West Tisbury recently got a brushbreaker (only, no CAFS) for $300,000, and then discovered they had to add another $12,000 to bring the truck to Massachusetts emissions requirements.
PersonNameTim Carroll and others discussed the fire which got into the woods off Old Kings Highway a couple of years ago, at which two trucks were damaged attempting to gain access, while the brushbreaker reached the fire and put out the flames around 90% of the perimeter.
Mr. Parker advised Mr. Norton to Atake it to the Town Meeting, but be prepared@. He anticipates a lively discussion.
[This budget item was voted on a few minutes later, as item 9 in the list provided to this meeting. Sarah Shipway moved to approve the 120/30 split noted above, Bill Randol seconded and all approved.]
The Committee then shifted attention to a list of remnant items provided by PersonNameTim Carroll.
[skip # 1-3]
4. Chilmark Community Center - Annual maintenance, Raise & Appropriate $5,000
Shipway moved to approve, Randol seconded, all approved.
5. Fin Comm. Reserve fund - R&A $12,000, transfer $28,000 from overlay
Randol moved, Shipway seconded, all approved. .
6. [skip]
7. General Stabilization Fund - Free cash $25,000
Randol moved, Shipway seconded, all approved.
8. Fire Stabilization - [skip]
9. Fire - brushbreaker $150,000 (discussed above) $120,000 free cash, $30,000 from
stabilization (?line 8?)
Shipway moved, Randol seconded, all approved. {Mr. Doty still dissenting).
10. Police PC server - Free cash $5,000
Shipway moved, Randol seconded, all approved.
11. Police @Containment@ Team $6,000 Free cash - after brief explanation: training and equipment for specialists to enter school and other hostage/potential murder situations, some towns may not participate, but others still should, Police Chiefs unanimous - Shipway moved, Randol seconded, all approved.
12. Town hall copier - $10,000 after brief discussion of color, network, and other possible specifications, problems of color = four copiers in one case, etc,
Randol moved, Williams seconded, all approved.
13. Cultural council [skip, discussed and voted earlier (above)]
14. 15 & 16 Shellfish [skip, decided earlier (above)]
17. Comfort Station- septic upgrade tank -$5,000 Free Cash
Randol Moved, Shipway seconded, all approved.
18. Assessors for 2009 Revaluation (contract) - Free cash $50,000
Shipway moved, Randol seconded, all approved.
19. Estuaries Project, Tisbury Great pond, third year - R&A $12,000. After a brief
discussion of the desirability/legality of requiring de-nitrifying systems, as Mr. Yeomans says have been required on Block Island (but RI, not MA title V),
Randol moved, Williams seconded, all approved.
There followed a discussion of possible transfers from various old funds & Articles,
starting with a memo from PersonNameTom Wilson, town Accountant in reference to the Aclay rights/Middle Line Road@ surplus of $9,566. Tom=s memo suggested this should be
shifted to the Stabilization fund or reserve. Melanie Becker objected that this and some of the other amounts remained from bonds, and could not be so simply switched. PersonNameTim Carroll suggested that the problematical accounts be referred to Bond Counsel to see what steps are needed for the various items. Riggs Parker advised that the possibly that the question of outstanding checks (? $600 to Jenkinson) should be pursued.
Shipway moved, Randol seconded, and all approved the transfer, subject to Bond Counsel=s approval and directions
There is also a surplus from the landfill capping of $13,900. It was suggested that this be split, with $10,000 being shifted to Stabilization, about $3,000 reserved for possible fencing and potentially required re-seeding of grass -subject to a State inspection. Shipway moved, Randol seconded, and all approved transferal of the money, subject to approval by Bond counsel.
The Town Hall renovation account still has about $12,000. About $500 will be needed to fix up the gravel driveway, some amount for tables and (more comfortable) chairs, and maybe a new wall for the Town clerk=s Office. The remainder should probably be transferred. No vote was taken at this time.
Similarly, there is some amount of surplus in the account for the filled dock, but some may be needed to do repairs to the asphalt cap.
Riggs pointed out that for outstanding warrants there is an Aautomatic sunsetting@ at the end of the fiscal year (June 30th) or the end of the legitimate purpose of the article.
Discussion of the VTA bill of $122,737, which appears to be from two years. PersonNameTim Carroll pointed out that this would require a supermajority, maybe 4/5ths of the quorum at the ATM. It was reported that there had been a whole series of failures of communications: Billing was not done and payments were not passed along (or not credited) between VTA, the Department of Transport, DOR, & the State Treasury. It was felt that it is not proper for the State DOR to be reinforcing VTA=s billing of this large amount, when more accurate bookkeeping and more prompt billing would have
allowed the town to pay in smaller, more reasonable increments. Mr.Yeomans suggested that if we put it on the warrant and the Town votes it down, due to the fumbling with accounting, the State would be put on notice, at least.
Williams moved, Shipway seconded, all approved the amount be on the warrant with Finn. Comm. approval.
Discussion turned to the School formula, with a potential for an increase of $120,000.
Possibilities suggested included:
Fin Com not voting or voting against the increase;
Placing the amount on the warrant, then withdrawing it at ATM - to make the community aware of the problem;
Mr. Williams asked what the State might do if they felt they had to Astep in@;
Mr. Parker said that at some point it would be up to the School Boards to decide;
Mr. Yeomans questioned whether we should be approving the School budget.
Ms. Shipway moved, Mr. Randol seconded, and all agreed to take no action.
There appears to be a surplus/decrease in the Tri-Town Ambulance budget, the Town=s share to be 1/3rd of $40,000. It was agreed this should go 80% to operations, 20% to a stabilization fund.
Budget 242 Dog Officer=s Assistant
The new Dog officer asks to replace two assistants at $1,000 with one assistant at $2,000. Mr. Fenner asked what the personnel board=s response had been, and was told that such a person would be t Grade 6, working 485 hours/year or approximately 8 hours/week. PersonNameWarren Doty insisted that this should continue to be low-key, no vehicle or formal dog pound, much of the job to be done by telephone. Frank Fenner queried whether we should be paying someone $2,000 to be back up for the Dog Officer?
Mr. Doty suggested leaving the item as $2,000 for AAssistant@.
510 Board of Health
The board has asked $3,000 for some soil observations and for a consultant (past chairman of the Board) to consider some of the more problematical or complicated plans. Riggs reminded the group of the state enabling legislation which would provide for a consultant at the applicant=s expense (? A '53") Mr. Fenner suggested reducing the BOH by $, 2000, leaving the other $1,000. Budget was $69,617, now 67,617 Shipway moved, Randol seconded and all were in favor of the budget as amended.
Fin Comm. Open Position
The subject was raised briefly, with a suggestion of a letter to explain the situation and need for a warm body. A general mailing of such a letter would cost about $140, according to PersonNameTim Carroll. No vote was taken, but the combined group seemed in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 PM
Submitted Russell Walton
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