Joint Meeting of Chilmark Finance Advisory Committee
and The Board of Selectman
Approved Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Present for the Finance Advisory Committee were: Marshall Carroll, Chairman, Frank Yeomans, Sarah Mayhew Shipway, William Randol, Frank LoRusso, John Maloney and Richard Williams. The Selectmen attending were: Warren Doty, Frank Fenner and J.B. Riggs Parker. Others in attendance were: Tim Carroll, Executive Secretary, Tom Wilson, Town Accountant, Melanie Becker, Treasurer and Todd Christy, Recording Secretary
Absent:
Call To Order
Mr. M. Carroll, called the meeting to order at 6:58 p.m.
Meeting Minutes
September 17:
Mr. M Carroll. Motion to accept or amend. Approved as amended.
January 14:
Mr. M Carroll moved to accept or amend. Approved as amended.
January 21:
Minutes were not presented.
January 28:
Minutes were not presented.
Review of Budgets: Hearing # 4
Order by Department:
Beach Committee: Tab 630
Kristen Maloney and Clarissa Allen were present for the budget review. Ms. Maloney asked to add $5000.00 to the budget because it was expected that many of the Lifeguards would be returning for the summer of 2009, requiring them to have a salary step increase, totaling near this amount. Line 5156 should be $127,866.00 which is an addition of $5816.00. Mr. parker asked to clarify the difference of FY08 to FY09 for LVB guards, which was reported to be $82k to $88k. Ms. Maloney spoke to the revenues generated by the town beach stickers, totaling about $200,000.00. She also spoke to the fact that the Personnel Board want to have Seasonal Compensation scale made to Year Round Compensation Scale, saving money. Ms. Maloney addressed the fact that the Superintendent and the Assistant Superintendent are at the same grade. Ms.
Becker clarified and confirmed that point.
Mr. Doty was pleased to say that the total budget had come in $26,000.00 less than the previous year and that was attributed to fewer staff and the cut of summer bonuses to guards that stay through Labor Day.
Ms. Maloney and Ms. Allen introduced a Capital Improvement Plan for the beaches which would include a proposed composting toilet facility at LVB and possibly Squibnocket Beach. It was very informational and included discussions of the pros and cons of current porta-potties versus the proposed Clivus composting toilets. The cost of maintenance may become an issue as the contract currently with the porta-pottie supplier also included weekly maintenance, which the proposed Clivus composting toilet would not include. After a lengthy discussion it was proposed that the town speak with the lease/town and look at this project in more detail at a different time.
Line 5399 is $4500.00. Line 5329 is $300.00 Line 5325 is for Plover Inspection, which has never been used; it was suggested to fund this out of Out of Service Purchase. Remove Plover Inspection. The Beach Committee receives no income from the Menemsha Beach, but pays all the services including Guards. Line 5242 $5500 goes to re-grading LVB road entrance. Line 5293 is $3000.00 bring down to $1000.00. The total was down $17951.00 to yield a total proposed FY2010 budget of $243,073.00.
The Joint Committee Thanked Ms. Maloney and Ms. Allen
Tri-Town Ambulance: Tab 230
Mr. Parker Suggested that the joint committees delay this budget review until Martina Mastromonaco returns.
Police: Tab 210
Tim Rich was present for the FY2010 budget review.
-Admin Assistant
Mr. Rich changed the date Traffic Officer hired effective June 15, which pushes that budget amount to level budget. This reduction would amount to $6182.00 in savings for the dept. With the anticipation of returning officers, they would get a step increase amounting to $24.77 starting in June. Mr. LoRusso questioned the training involved and Mr. Rich informed the committee that these officers need to be both armed and have the power to arrest, which requires 120 hours of training, or two weeks. Mr. LoRusso pointed out that by reducing one traffic officer would save the town about $10,000.00. Mr. Doty suggested that Summer Officer budget be reduced $6000.00, the special Officer budget be reduced and the elimination of one Traffic officer would bring that budget down from $37,000.00 to $28,000.00. Mr. Rich noted that the
reduction of a traffic officer would be a reduction in service to Menemsha, but it was certainly a place to where a reduction could be made.
Mr. Rich commented that he has submitted 31 budgets to the town and has managed a very frugal department. He noted that he is submitting a responsible budget and one that he recommends the town accept and expressed his understanding of the unusual times the town faces. Mr. LoRusso suggested several changes that would allow reductions and still level budget. Both Mr. Doty and Mr. Parker gave impassioned speeches regarding the process of budgeting and how the town is directly affected in serious times like these. The point of the budget reviews is so the town can have a 0% budget increase and have the opportunity to give town employees a raise, while being fiscally responsible to the tax payers. Mr. Rich pointed out that if the town needs to save $57k to level budget, nearly half is coming out of the Police budget totaling
$24,504.00. The joint Committee then proceeded to reduce Professional Development from $4000.00 to $3500.00. Books and Publications to $450 from $650. Total additional reduction in the proposed FY 2010 budget $725.00.
After a long discussion of the Police budget, concerning the officers, administrative costs and the facility maintenance, the Joint Committee thanked and expressed their gratitude to Mr. Rich for his years of duty and service to the town.
Fire: Tab 220
David Norton was present for budget review.
Budget presented as a level budget. Mr. Norton spoke to the fact that he has a new Administrative Assistant and Computer management system. The Fire Dept. has not used this money in the past, but the new computer system, that is island-wide inter-department communication, needs to add town information to that database. That line is up $1000.00 from last year in anticipation of more time needed for info gathering. There was an in depth discussion on how the Fire Dept. collects data and what data, including where gas tanks are on properties and which residences have propane or oil.
Line 5126 firefighters was reduced $18,500.00 to $16,500.00. Software maintenance is a contractual deal and the vehicle maintenance budget should be left alone. The committee questioned aspects of the budget including facility maintenance, which were then reduced from $5500.00 to $4000.00. Line 5430 reduced from $1000.00 to $800.00. Travel budget reduced to $1500.00 The budget includes paying for travel, septic pumping, and supplies, bringing total budget reductions to $5100.00 for FY2010.
High School Assesment:
Mr. Wilson reported the assessment to the town for the High School comes to $46,869.00
Administration
-Next Joint FinCom and Selectmens Meeting is scheduled for Thursday February 12, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
With no further business to discuss, Mr. M.Carroll adjourned the meeting at 9:24 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Todd Christy, Recording Secretary.
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