FinCom & BOS FY2015 Budget Hearing Minutes
January 28, 2014
Present: FinCom Members: Frank Yeomans, Riggs Parker, Linda Coutinho, James Malkin and
Bruce Golden. Alan Porter and Marshall Carroll absent Selectmen: Warren Doty, Jonathan Mayhew, Bill Rossi. Others: Tim Carroll, Ellen Biskis, Diana DeBlase, Jennifer Christy and Richard Osnoss.
At 7:00 PM Mr. Yeomans said he would be willing to be acting chairman because Marshall Carroll was home sick. Mr. Golden moved to have Mr. Yeomans be acting chairman of the FinCom tonight. Mr. Malkin seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 5 Ayes FinCom, 3 Ayes BOS
Mr. Yeomans called meeting to order in the Selectmen’s meeting room.
Mr. Carroll introduced the budget books to all the members and during the review contacts were reviewed. Mr. Golden updated his email contact. Mr. Carroll explained handouts and where they are located in the book tabs. Mrs. Biskis said the revenues are added into each department in the budget books this year.
Mr. Doty asked if he could have the OPEB Trust balances and the Affordable Housing Trust balance also. Mr. Carroll said we are still getting figures in from departments and the budget books will be updated as information comes in. Mr. Parker asked for a list of unspent warrant articles. Town accountant Biskis will bring these to the next meeting tomorrow.
Mr. Carroll proposed starting with the Selectmen’s Budget.
Selectmen’s Budget #122:
The budget was reviewed by each line. Mr. Malkin asked if there was an expenditure analysis
comparing employee expenditure year to year. Mrs. Biskis said this is listed in the Employee Benefits tab #910 towards the back of the budget books.
Mr. Yeomans asked for a copy of the Post Employee Actuarial Report. Mrs. Biskis said that 2012 report is available. Mr. Carroll said that would be made available during the Treasurer hearing.
Minutes December 5, 2013:
Draft minutes were postponed.
Planning Board Budget #175:
Richard Osnoss the chairman of the Planning Board presented the proposed budget for FY15.
Mr. Osnoss said that the budget is flat, same as last year with the only increase due to the step and COLA for the Administrative Assistant. Mr. Osnoss said “the board is very, very, very happy with Jennifer Christy she really does quality work”.
Mr. Osnos described each budget line item. Mrs. Christy supplied a chart showing the Planning Boards Legal cost analysis from 2010- 2013.
Mr. Parker asked how many subdivisions have been done this year by the Planning Board. Mrs. Christy said that this year there was 8 Form C and 5 Form A.
Mr. Osnoss said that the Chilmark Master Plan is on his radar for working on as grants require having a plan in place. Right now the planning board is working on Town Bylaws.
Mrs. Christy said there is a onetime increase to other purchased services budget line 5399 of $700.00. Mrs. Christy said this is to cover for half of the purchase price of the laptop that was purchased for her to take minutes during meetings.
Human Resource Board#152:
James Malkin presented the HRB proposed budget for FY15. Mr. Malkin said that the budget line 5108 Administrative Assistant decreased in FY14 from FY13 because the hours were reduced as the large project they had been working through was finished. The only increase to the budget is the same line for step and COLA.
Cost of Living:
Mr. Yeomans said that the proposed COLA is the same as the Social Security increase of 1.5%.
Town Clerk #161:
Town Clerk Jennifer Christy presented her proposed budget for FY15. At this time Mr. Carroll commended Mrs. Christy’s efforts with presenting a zero based budget with analysis reports and visual grafts for supporting this budget.
Mrs. Christy said she intends to become CMMC certified in 2014 and will increase line 5303 Professional Development by $127.00 to do so.
Line 5309 bookbinding is being raised by $160.00 to be able to bind a second Town Meeting records book this year.
Line 5385 Election Workers is being raised to cover the increase of hourly rate pay to the Election workers to $10.00 an hour.
Mr. Parker asked how many of the voters in Chilmark are summer residents.
Mrs. Christy said that she posts the laws at her desk and during the registration process reads aloud the qualifications to be registered to vote.
Mr. Carroll said years ago the town attempted to purge the voter list. The Town was taken to court and lost. Mrs. Christy said she cannot enforce the law; she makes an effort to help people understand the laws.
Cultural Council # 699:
Jennifer Christy presented the proposed budget for FY15. Mrs. Christy said she is one of the three Chilmark representatives on the board of the Cultural Council as are Nan Doty and Deborah Silliman Wass.
Mrs. Christy said that the Cultural Council board is asking to increase the budget by $1,000.00.
Mrs. Christy was happy to report the Town of Chilmark received $3,365.00 of the grants this past year.
Town Accountant # 135:
Mr. Parker said (to Ellen Biskis) that he has heard all great things of your attributes since you came to work as the Town Accountant. Town Accountant Ellen Biskis gave a brief synopsis of coming into the job finding out the FY2012 books had not yet been closed. Mrs. Biskis said the differences in the G.A.A.P. accounting environment she came from and the fund accounting our municipality uses was a challenge as well.
Mr. Doty said the Selectmen were very disappointed with the situation Mrs. Biskis inherited; referring to the last six months of the former accountant not doing the job.
Auditor # 136:
Mrs. Biskis said the town may want look for another auditor as some things she expected an auditor to do they did not do. Mr. Carroll said we have a three year contract that will be through next year. Mrs. Biskis said the auditor was helpful in getting a handle on what was needed to be done though.
Mrs. Biskis said she is looking forward to the Procurement and MMAAA schooling in March.
At 8:50 PM Mr. Yeomans moved to adjourn to be able to listen to the President’s address. Mr. Malkin seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 8 Ayes
Minutes respectfully submitted by Diana DeBlase Approved 2/12/14
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