DRAFT Chilmark FinCom & Selectmen Joint Board Meeting
Budget Hearing FY2014 February 20, 2013 Minutes
Present: FinCom: Chairman Marshall Carroll, Dr. Bruce Golden, Richard Williams, Frank Yeomans, Allan Porter and Robert Chidsey. Sarah Mayhew-Shipway was absent.
Selectmen: Chairman Jonathan Mayhew, Bill Rossi, Warren Doty, Others: Tim Carroll,
Diana DeBlase, Seth Karlinsky, Richard Osnoss, Don Hatch, Marina Lent, Ann Wallace, David Vigneault, Martina Thornton, T.J. Hegarty, Sara Kuh, Elaine Graves and David Norton.
At 6:00 pm Marshall Carroll called meeting to order in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room.
Comfort Station:
Seth Karlinsky is present for the Comfort Station proposed budget for FY14.
Mr. Karlinsky spoke of upgrades needing to be made to the copper pipes in the near future.
Marina Lent said that the septic is pumped out once a month.
Mr. Doty asked if there are enough 55 gal barrels. Mr. Karlinsky said he has approximately 25 going in the summer and if he adds more they will be filled. Mr. Karlinsky said he empties trash barrels morning, midday, before and after sunset and later. At this time the bathrooms are attended too as well.
Mr. Karlinsky recommended upgrading the trim on rest room exterior to Azeck or Kleer which will not need painting. Mr. Karlinsky is in the second year of a 3 year contract.
Mr. Doty asked what the frequency of the bathroom use was Mr. Karlinsky said that the flushes in August on average are 460 per day.
Selectmen Chairman Mayhew asked what Mr. Karlinsky thought of having the Highway Department maintain the area down to the sand. Mr. Karlinsky said that he and Keith Emin work together on duties. Chairman Mayhew recommended having the Highway Department budget to include the area mentioned. Mr. Mayhew would like the line from Park and Recreation added to Highway maintenance budget.
Waste Collection:
Richard Osnoss is the Chilmark Representative on the MV Refuse District he said he is present to help answer questions the Boards have concerning the MVRD budget. Don Hatch is the director of the MV Refuse and is also present. Mr. Osnoss addressed the line items comparing FY13 and FY14.
Mr. Doty said it’s the salaries that he wants to compare. Extensive discussion ensued concerning the salaries for the Refuse District. Mr. Doty said that it’s a well run district but the salaries are too high. There was discussion about future composting programs. Mr. Yeomans said he was impressed with the audit report of MVRD and asked Mr. Hatch to supply 6 more copies. Mr. Hatch said he would supply them.
Marshall Carroll said that the trash bag price is the same as last year; $4.00 per bag at the landfill and the budget is up $42.42 from last year and that’s pretty good.
Housing:
Marina Lent, Ann Wallace and David Vigneault are present for the housing FY14 proposed budget. Mr. Vigneault said that this year the actuals are behind. The Dukes County Regional Housing Authority has three staff members. There are 71 rental units and 74 residential assistant subsidies throughout the six island towns.
Mr. Vigneault said that there was just a housing needs assessment program at the Chilmark Library. Mr. Doty said he was sorry to have missed their presentation but the budget hearings were scheduled for the same time. Mr. Vigneault said that they will have another presentation Mr. Doty and interested parties can attend.
Mr. Vigneault said that the Middle Line Road tenants are very happy there have been no turn overs. Mr. Vigneault credited Selectmen’s decision in the lowering % of annual mean income level. There was extensive discussion about housing.
County Management:
Martina Thornton, T.J. Hegarty, Sara Kuh are present for County Budget FY14.
Ms Thornton said that the FY14 is down 5.29% from last years FY budget. This is due to the Sherriff’s Department no longer being part of the County Budget.
Mr. Rossi asked how the grant writing was going. Ms. Kuh explained that the budget is reflecting receiving none but she will apply grants as she receives them and the % will go down to the towns.
County Pest Management: Mr. Hegarty said that the FY14 is down 5.29% from last years FY budget. Mr. Hegarty had lots of information to share. For instance: if you see a v shape tunneling it’s made by a vole and a hump tunnel is made by a mole. The fee for contracting the County Pest management is (if under the age of 55) $55.00 and if older it costs $49.50.
Mr. Doty said this was Ms. Thornton’s first year as manager of the County Management and said she is doing a very good job.
Employee Benefits & Contributions:
Town Treasurer Melanie Becker said that the town has a new retire eligible for health insurance benefits. Ms. Becker said that because Mr. Larsen had worked for the town and paid into the retirement system and left the funds in place so at the age of 55 he is entitled to have the Town of Chilmark pay for 75% of his health insurance. Mrs. Becker said all health plans went up 6% this year.
Ms. Becker said the OPEB is under funded nation wide. Chilmark has been funding $100,000 per year into the OPEB. The yearly liability is estimated at $250,000.Ms. Becker said that the total liability estimated is $2,000,000.
Mr. Carroll said there is now $400,000.00 in our OPEB Trust.
Fire Department:
Fire Chief David Norton was present for the Fire Department proposed FY Budget.
Mr. Doty said Mr. Norton did a good job with the budget.
Chief Norton said he has eliminated a budget from Fire Management / Development Support and transferred funds to the salaries of Firefighters and Officers ( Himself and Tim not included). Chief Norton said has also boosted the salary line and will give firefighters payment for completing the training courses.
Marshall Carroll said that the budget line 5593 Fire Safety Education Supplies maybe coding incorrectly as it is listed at having spent $2,623.72 and the budget is $500.
Warrant Articles:
- Stabilization fund $30,000. To replace equipment that is over 25 years old.
- Self Contained Breathing Apparatus $18,000 (3 sets)
- Personal Protective Equipment $8,000
Chief Norton spoke about the progress of the Wet Side Tanker Truck that should be delivered by September.
Tim Carroll passed out the new Education UIRSD budget increase, totaling the all inclusive Education Budget $3,020, 020.05.
Tim Carroll said the total FY14 budget for Chilmark as it stands now is $8,172,817.58 with a 6.29% increase.
Discussion ensued about items that are over the levy limit. Mr. Carroll said the warrant articles as presented with budget are approximately $616,000.00 over levy limit. Tim suggested deferring 4 items to the Fall Special Town Meeting or forever. Deferred items to be: general stabilization $25,000, highway paving reduced by $195,731. Assessors revalue article $55,000delayed to fall. Beach Department article for dune restoration $80,000.
Mr. Carroll recommended The Police Car $31,000 and $300,000 + Education budget to be on an override. Tim Carroll asked that FinCom and Board of Selectmen look at his suggestions and decide what we should do to bring budget down so it’s within the levy limit.
Tim Carroll suggested that Keith Emin and Rodney Bunker attend tomorrow’s budget hearing to discuss repairs to buildings and roads and what items may be reduced.
Mr. Williams moved to adjourn Allan Porter seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 9 Ayes
At 9:15 PM meeting adjourned.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Diana DeBlase. Selectmen Approved 3/22/13
Pending FinCom approval
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