Chilmark FinCom & Selectmen Joint Board Meeting
Budget Hearing FY2014 February 14, 2013 Minutes
Present: FinCom: Chairman Marshall Carroll, Dr. Bruce Golden, Richard Williams, Frank Yeomans, Sarah Mayhew-Shipway and Robert Chidsey, Allan Porter was absent.
Selectmen: Chairman Jonathan Mayhew, Bill Rossi, Warren Doty, Others: Tim Carroll,
Diana DeBlase, John Flender, Joyce Bowker and Jennifer Christy.
At 6:00 PM Chairman Marshall Carroll called meeting to order in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room.
Cemetery:
Chairman John Flender presented the FY14 proposed Cemetery Budget.
Mr. Flender said that he has planned mowing grass 7 complete times. Each mowing takes about three days. That works out to once a month during the growing season.
Mr. Doty asked if there were any open warrants for the cemetery. Mr. Flender said there is one for surveying the newer section. For now they are brush cutting the area to keep the established area. Mr. Flender recommended raising the cost to cemetery rates $100.00 per year. The cost now is at $1,200.00 for a full plot with half a plot costing $600.00.
Mr. Flender will seek a quote for the survey to be completed in FY14.
Up-Island Council on Aging:
Director Joyce Bowker presented the proposed FY14 budget for the UICOA.
Tim Carroll said that Ms. Bowker has been director for almost 28 years. Ms. Bowker said 28 years in May 2013.
Ms. Bowker said the biggest change this year was that Assistant Director Kathleen Brady died, she was 86 years old. Ms. Brady had chosen not to have health insurance covered by the UPCOA. Ms. Bowker said she has a new Assistant Director; Tanya Larsen. Ms. Larsen is having the health insurance coverage so the budget line for salary has increased.
Ms. Bowker said that 44 additional people were served by the UICOA last year bringing the total to 834 for 2012. Marshall Carroll thanked Ms. Bowker for her commitment and sharing her budget with them tonight.
Cultural Council:
Council board member Jennifer Christy presented the Proposed FY14 budget.
The Cultural Council has offered grants to the community for art, dance, music, theater and many other projects. Mrs. Christy said the Council intends to seek more funds form the towns on Martha’s Vineyard next budget season.
Mrs. Christy said the State funds $37,000.00 of the budget for Cultural Council. The Council requests that Chilmark budget $1,500.00 as they have for many years now.
Mr. Rossi asked what the average amount requested in a grant. Mrs. Christy said that the average is between $500.00 and $800.00
Mrs. Christy said that the Council has 25 members on the board and they meet once a year from 10:00am to 6:00 pm and review 40 grant applications. Mrs. Christy said this is her third year on the board. Chairman Carroll thanked Mrs. Christy for her presentation.
Human Resources Board of Chilmark:
Jennifer Christy the Administrative Assistant to the HRBC presented the budget and memo from the Chairman Frank LoRusso who did not attend.
The Memo is in response to a question that came up pertaining to the grading and exempt and nonexempt status of employees.
“To be exempt from the Federal Wage and Hour Law requirement of the time and a half payment for time worked over forty hours in a week, an employee must meet the Law’s definition of professional employee, an administrative employee, or managerial / supervisory employee. Certain seasonal employees are also exempted from the overtime premium requirement. In all cases the HRB receives legal advice from Town Counsel regarding these issues. Therefore, grade has nothing to do with being exempt or non exempt according to the Labor Standards Act.”
The change in the FY14 budget is an increase to the dues and memberships line by $105.00 as they have gone up in cost to the town. The other increase is the Administrative Assistant is at a higher pay level than the previous admin.
Seasonal employee topic was discussed. Mr. Doty said that the Assistant Shellfish Constable is collecting unemployment. Mr. Doty asked that the departments make sure that there are not instances of collection of unemployment to seasonal employees.
Mr. Williams suggested that the HRBC work out a formula to ensure that the unemployment issue be cleared up. Mr. Doty said that we are identifying that there is an issue that the HRB needs to address.
Tim Carroll said that the Town is signed up for a webinar hosted by the State Labor Department concerning Seasonal Employees February 28, 2013.
Historical Commission:
Tim Carroll said that Chuck Hodgkinson was not available to attend tonight’s meeting but it is a small budget that he will present. The budget page needs to reflect Other Purchased Services is $1,000.00 and the Dues and Memberships is $350.00.
Park and Recreation:
Mr. Rossi said that the Harbor Master spoke with him saying that the parking lot is not his responsibility.
Park and Recreation Continued:
Mr. Doty said that the West Dock tarmac and up to USCG station is harbor responsibility. The Park and Rec. are responsible for the Bulkhead leases and area in the bulkhead. Mr. Doty said the Menemsha area has Harbor, Beach, Park and Rec., Highway and Comfort Station are all involved in the area of Menemsha.
Mr. Doty said that the Selectmen have been working hard at Menemsha Management and will continue to work on the issues.
Mr. Rossi said the Park and Recreation Other Purchased Services should be increased to $1,800.00 up from $1,200.00. Mr. Carroll said that this is usually used for mowing Peeked Hill Pastures.
Sarah Mayhew Shipway moved to raise the budget line from $1,200.00 to $1,800.00 to cover the cost of mowing Peeked Hill pasture. Mr. Williams seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 9 Ayes.
Frank Yeomans asked that a listing of scheduled items coved by town’s insurance policy be supplied to all of the FINCOM members.
Mrs. Mayhew Shipway asked to continue with budget discussion tonight, the discussion turned to warrant articles.
At 7:45 pm Mrs. Mayhew Shipway moved to adjourn, Richard Williams seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 9 Ayes.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Diana DeBlase. Selectmen Approved 3/22/13
Pending FinCom approval.
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