Chilmark FinCom & Selectmen Joint Board Meeting
Budget Hearing FY2014 January 31, 2013
Present: SELECTMEN: Chairman Jonathan Mayhew, Warren Doty, Bill Rossi,
FINCOM: Chairman Marshall Carroll, Frank Yeomans, Richard Williams, Robert Chidsey,
Sarah Mayhew- Shipway and Alan Porter, Dr. Golden was Absent
ALSO: Tim Carroll, Diana DeBlase, Melanie Becker,
Dr. James Weiss, Amy Tierney, Laurie Halt, Michael Halt, Mary Boyd, Dr. Stephen Nixon,
and Mark Friedman.
At 6:00 PM Chairman Carroll called meeting to order in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room.
Chairman Carroll welcomed new committee member Alan Porter.
Education:
Dr. Weiss presented the board members with the budgets for the Superintendent’s office shared services and shared programs.
Dr. Weiss explained the 2014 Budget request is $4,399,466.47 this is an increase to Chilmark of $357,258.07 which is an 8.84% increase to this budget from last year.
Mr. Doty said Chilmark is extremely supportive of its education. The Administrative cost increase is a concern though. The Superintendents office budget has increased 7% and 9.98% for administration costs. Mr. Doty said Chilmark tries to keep administrative increases within 3%.
Amy Tierney gave explanations and clarifications on line items as they were discussed. Extensive discussion ensued.
Discussion turned to a warrant article request for building a new Superintendent’s building on Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School property. Dr. Weiss said essentially the survey they had completed of the Superintendents present building reported building restoration to bring to code would cost more than its worth. There was discussion.
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School:
Principal Nixon presented the MVRHS FY14 proposed budget to the boards. The budget increased at the last moment because of a family moved to the Vineyard who has 2 residential care students so the cost is now part of our budget unexpectedly.
The High School Budget was discussed thoroughly.
Up Island Regional School District:
Amy Tierney gave explanations and clarifications on line items as they were discussed. Extensive discussion ensued. Mrs. Tierney said that she shifted capital from West Tisbury kitchen renovation to capital improvements to Chilmark School this coming year.
Selectmen and FinCom thanked the School representatives for coming and presenting their budgets. Dr Weiss said this is a disclaimer” none of the budgets have the final figures for teacher salaries as we are still in the negotiations.”
Mr. Doty left along with School representatives at 7:12 pm
Chairman Carroll asked to continue discussion on the next listed department on tonight’s agenda.
Moderator:
The total budget for Moderator has remained unchanged with $100.00 budget.
Selectmen:
The Selectmen’s office expenses increased 2.85% in the proposed budget for FY14.
Tim Carroll said that the Town report print line has been increased $100.00
Tim Carroll said that they print 500 town reports.
Finance Committee:
The FinCom budget is unchanged at $326.00
At this time since the agenda for tonight has been completed Mr. Tim Carroll walked everyone through the layout of the FinCom budget books. Tim Carroll asked that everyone to please review contact information page. The schedule has the meetings all starting at 6:00 PM
Tim Carroll said turn to the Schedule page there is a correction to be made: line 296 for February 13, 2013 should be 0.004% instead of 1.734% increase.
Diana DeBlase recommended that the meeting on February 13, 2013 start at 7:30 PM because the Chilmark school winter concert is the same night.
Chairman Marshall Carroll moved to begin February 13, 2013 meeting at 7:30 pm.
Sarah Mayhew-Shipway seconded the motion SO VOTED: 8 Ayes
Melanie Becker asked for clarification of grade 10 and 11 being exempt and grade 9 as salaried. Mrs. Becker said the Human Resource Board of Chilmark has had discrepancies in these grade ratings.
Accountant:
Tim Carroll said the Town Accountant position application deadline was today at 4:30 pm there are 6 applicants that will be reviewed and he hopes that interviews will begin second week in February. As for the accountant budget Tim Carroll said that we could change Accountant salary line from 61,837.43 to $60,000.00 bringing the total department salary& Expenses line to $66,980.0 down from $68, 817.43.
Auditing:
Mr. Carroll said that the Town has an audit yearly and that the regulations require an audit every three years. Yeomans recommended keeping the yearly audit rather than less frequently.
Treasurer:
Chairman Carroll said that the Treasurer’s budget is increased only 2.09% and thanked Mrs. Becker for doing so. Mr. Yeomans said that there is a dislocation in positions being exempt and not exempt and asked if this is problem. Mr. Williams said that there may be bias here but that the manual for exempt is not salary based. Tim Carroll said that the position grade guidelines follow the fair labor standards act.
Mrs. Becker said what is the rational for having these positions at a high grade being exempt and lower grades salaried.
Tim Carroll asked if the board would like him to send the HRBC a memo asking them to explain this at their budget hearing night. Mrs. Mayhew Shipway said that she would like an explanation of why high graded positions with 37- 40 hours a week are exempt and not salaried. It was the consensus of persons present to have a memo sent to the HRBC.
Legal:
Tim Carroll said there is a letter explaining the fees for legal counsel from Mr. Rappaport. Tim said that the budget line for counsel has been lowered $2,000.00 down to $48,230.00 for proposed FY14 budget.
Selectmen’s Maintenance/ Unclassified:
Mr. Carroll said that this budget will be reduced by $5,000.00 with the total for the FY14 budget at $30,000. Mr. Rossi said that this year the Selectmen spent funds for repairs to the North Road Fire Station after it was damaged by a lightning strike. Mr. Rossi said that they will also spend funds for cleaning the Squibnocket parking lot area from damage during hurricane Sandy.
Emergency Management:
Mr. Carroll said that the budget is unchanged from last year. The total budget is $5,150.00.
Tim Carroll spoke of the Distributed Antennae System intention of adding 3 additional nodes to improve the coverage. Tim Carroll said to be sure if you wish to utilize the system be sure you have at least a 3G devise (Not a GSM).
Dog Officer:
Tim Carroll said that Chris Murphy our dog officer increase is his salary COLA of 2.4%. Mr. Carroll said that the officer has asked for a warrant article for a stipend for his vehicle instead of applying for reimbursement. Tim Carroll said that the State mandated this dog officer position become Animal Control officer which will require training.
Animal Inspector:
Tim Carroll said that the inspector Chris Murphy requested an increase to cover the number of inspections this budget is proposed as $1,000.00 for FY14 up from $700.00
*** Tim Carroll reminded all present that no deliberation with more than three persons until next posted meeting
Mrs. Mayhew- Shipway moved to adjourn. Mr. Williams seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 8 Ayes At 8:47 pm meeting adjourned.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Diana DeBlase. Approved 2/06/13
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