Joint Meeting of Chilmark Finance Advisory Committee
and The Board of Selectman
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Approved
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: Frank Fenner and J.B. Riggs Parker. Others in attendance were: Tim Carroll, Executive Secretary and Todd Christy, Recording Secretary
Absent: Tom Wilson, Town Accountant, Melanie Becker, Treasurer
Call To Order
Mr. M. Carroll, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting Minutes
January 21:
Minutes were approved as amended.
January 28:
Minutes were approved as amended.
February 4:
Minutes postponed until February 18, 2009 meeting
Review of Budgets: Hearing # 5
Order by Department:
Council on Aging: Tab 541, p.38
Joyce Bowker and Leslie Clapp and were present for budget review.
Salaries were top of the discussion and the bottom line reflects a COLA of 4.6%. There are also step and longevity increases. Chilmark's share with the 4.6% COLA is $65,189.68 and with a 0% COLA is $62,312.06. Chilmark still has the highest percentage per capita of population over 55. (65% of voters are over 55) Mr. M. Carroll moved to the Expense Line, which assesses the town $255.00 for utilities. Ms. Clapp reported on Grant writing, money pledged from the Friends totaling about $10,000.00 and on their fuel assistance program. Ms. Clapp gave an up-date on the island wide publication, 55 Plus Times and her efforts to have no COLA increase for Salary. The C.O.A. received a grant for transportation of Seniors island wide for $8000.00. Everyone gave a unanimous, great job.
Town Clerk: Tab 161, p.12
Jessica Bradlee was present for budget review.
The joint committee had few questions for Ms. Bradlee as she presented her budget in a very clear handout for the committee. This past election year had been a large expense, but because of the election terms, this year would not have such an expense. The binding of town documents will be coming up as an expense and the salary of the town clerk has gone down with the new hiring of Ms. Bradlee starting at a lower Step. The Dog License fees in the past had been kept by the town clerk, but are now considered revenue for the town. There were no changes to the proposed budget. The committee members thanked Ms. Bradlee.
Assessor: Tab 141, p. 7
Lenny Jason and Elizabeth Oliver were present for the budget review.
The committee had a queston of the expenditure on line 5313 for mapping as it was dropping from $2500.00 to $800.00. This expenditure for Pictometry and Gis updating will be split between the difference departments. The current updating for mapping will cost $500.00. With the reduction, the total proposed budget will be $77,589.00.
Tax Collector: Tab 146, p. 9
Polly McDowell was present for budget review. There was some discussion pertaining to postage rates going up and was there enough allocated for this increase. Ms. McDowell suggested moving $50 from Clerical Assistant line to postage. Ms. McDowell informed the joint committees that the printing for bills was bid for FY10 and DeRosa's was the lowest. The joint committee was pleased to be doing that business on island. The joint committee thanked Ms. McDowell for her great work.
Building: Tab 241, p. 26
Leonard Jason was present for budget review. There was some discussion concerning general supplies including purchasing permit books and code books. Mr. Parker questioned the state of building in Chilmark and Mr. Jason tallied home permits for calendar year 2009 at 14. The cost of a permit in town remains at $205.00. There was some discussion as to the cost of permits and whether or not that cost will be changed. The joint committees thanked Mr. Jason for his proposed budget and for his great work.
Ambulance: Tab 231, p.25
Martina Mostromonaco was present for budget review. Ms. Mastromonaco addressed the joint committee and explained the need to continue to add $50k a year into the stabilization fund to be used when and if the Tri-Town ambulance needs to be replaced. The Selectmen suggested the need to also add money into the Stabilization Fund for the purpose of equipment or Ambulance replacement. Ms. Mastromonaco also addressed her lack of staffing changes; her health insurance premium going down; the need for telecommunication-computer upgrades, which are very expensive; oxygen expenditures and the cost of defibrillator batteries @ $200 per piece. Ms. Mastromonaco informed the committee that much of the costs were start-up costs and professional development. The Assistant Coordinator resigned this year, yielding a savings of
$15,245.00. The joint committee suggested that the Ambulance budget be presented in a clearer and more concise manner that shows actual expenditures of previous FY, even though the bottom line is good. The total proposed budget is $437,283.00. The Joint committee thanked Ms. Mastromonaco for her great work.
Shellfish: Tab 299, p. 31
Isaiah Scheffer was present for budget review. Mr. Scheffer informed the joint committee of the seed propagation program's success and addressing that purchase line, the need of a deposit for future seed purchase. The total for seed purchase for FY10 may be $5000. He addressed vehicle reimbursement and engine repair, specifically the shape of the outboard engine and its need of repair. Mr. Scheffer will use $1423.00 allocated for professional development. There was little discussion and the committee thanked him for his proposed budget and good work.
Accountant:
Tom Wilson was not present for budget review. Mr. T. Carroll answered question on behalf of Mr. Wilson. The Professional development line was $1275.00, down $1100.00 as the rotation of certification education is a lighter schedule for FY10. There was little other discussion on this proposed budget.
Department of Emergency Management:
Tim Carroll was present for budget review. The committee questioned the Island Coordinated Event Planning and asked if the $4275.00 could be reduced as it has not been used for several years. Mr. T. Carroll suggested it was not a good idea to reduce this as it may jeopardize the safety of the town. The line was reduced by $1000.00 to $3275.00
Administration
-Next Joint FinCom and Selectmens Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday February 18, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
With no further business to discuss, Mr. M.Carroll adjourned the meeting at 9:03 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Todd Christy, Recording Secretary.
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