FinCom & BOS FY2015 Budget Hearing Minutes
January 29, 2014
Present: FinCom: Frank Yeomans, Riggs Parker, Linda Coutinho, James Malkin,
Bruce Golden and Alan Porter. Marshall Carroll absent. Selectmen: Warren Doty,
Jonathan Mayhew and Bill Rossi. Others: Tim Carroll, Ellen Biskis, Diana DeBlase, Paul Wilkins, Matt Montanile, Ben Retmire and Brian Cioffi.
At 7:00 PM acting chair Mr. Golden called meeting to order in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room.
Mr. Golden said he would be handing the gavel over to Mr. Yeomans at 8:30 PM tonight as he is catching the late ferry off island tonight.
Minutes:
Draft minutes from the December 5, 2013 meeting were reviewed. Mr. Yeomans moved to approve. Mr. Golden seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes, 3 Abstain hearing no objections from members present the acting chairman declared minutes approved.
Tri Town Ambulance #231:
Paul Wilkins TTA Chief presented the proposed Tri Town Ambulance budget for FY15. Chief Wilkins known to many as Zeke introduced the Assistant Chief Ben Retmire and Matt Montanile. Chief Wilkins said that the TTA is now running as a 24/7 Paramedic Level.
Chief Wilkins said that the line item # 5165 stipend pay per day for EMTs has been raised from $80.00 to $120.00.
Chief Wilkins said he has added a proposed budget line Special Event of $18,000.00 which would cover for the extra staffing for when the President of the USA stays in the summer.
Mr. Doty said that the Special Event Line item of $18,000.00 should not be added. Wilkins said this Special Event line is also for bad storms as well.
Mrs. Biskis said she has been working with Mr. Montanile to correct the coding in the TTA budget.
Chief Wilkins said that the revenues are $30,000.00 above last year’s estimates.
Linda Coutinho asked Chief Wilkins if he could cut the EMT stipend to $100.00 Wilkins explained that most other towns are already at $200.00 and he was finding it very hard to fill the hours.
Mr. Doty said that the Professional Development line #5303 has increased $8,000.00 and asked Chief Wilkins to explain. Chief Wilkins said that covers four new EMT to be trained, costing $1,200.00 each.
Tri Town Ambulance Continued…
Mr. Retmire said that the ALS Supply line #5873 was increased $6,000.00 because disposable supplies like needles, IV equipment etc. are no longer being restocked by the Hospital and they will need to purchase these supplies for themselves.
Mr. Doty said he wants to cut the Special Event line by $10,000.00.
Mr. Malkin recommended leaving it in for now and if we need to it can be done at the end of the hearings.
7:55PM
Police Department #210
Chief of police Brian Cioffi presented the proposed Police Department budget for FY15.
Chief Cioffi said that he recommends preparing to have the “Special Visitor” return again this summer.
Chief Cioffi said that the salaries lines go up with COLA and steps but the rest of his budget he has worked hard to reduce. The total increase to his budget was only 3.21%
Chief Cioffi reported that the Chilmark police department responded to 1,051 calls in 2012 and 1,071 calls in 2013. Discussion turned to vehicle replacement policies. Mrs. Coutinho recommended having a budget line for vehicle replacement stabilization fund rather than requesting with a special warrant at Town Meeting.
Chief Cioffi said that the police contracts are up for renewal this year.
The Selectmen thanked Chief Cioffi for his efforts on keeping his budget at a minimal increase and all of his hard work.
Arrivals: Beach Committee Members Clarissa Allen, Kristen Maloney, Wayne Iacono, Jen Wlodyka and Beach Superintendent Martina Mastromonaco.
Beach Department# 630:
Kristin Maloney said after reviewing the budget sheets the committee recommended corrections to lines 5120, 5183, and 5156.
Line 5120 increase from $12912.00 to $13,283.20, increasing line 5183 from 12912.00 to 13,883.20. Budget line 5120 Temp. Employee/ Maintenance is to be eliminated subtracting $3,445.68. This brings the total proposed FY15 budget for the Beach Department to $238,944.85
Martina Mastromonaco said that the beach is a difficult budget to predict because when it rains they do not staff the beach with guards. Mrs. Mastromonaco said this budget reflects a sunny day all summer and that the employees with the highest steps are returning.
Discussion turned to keeping the Dog Shift at Squibnocket Beach, this shift is from 5-7 pm. Mrs. Mastromonaco asked if they could vary the days the dog guard is present. Mr. Doty recommended that to be decided by the beach management.
Beach Department Continued…
Mr. Doty said he recommends staffing the Menemsha Beach with a second guard to keep the public safe in the “crab corner” area. Clarissa Allen said she does not think that adding a life guard is necessary at “crab corner”. Mrs. Allen recommended a proper barrier to keep kids from going under the docks was the direction to go in. Wayne Iacono said that if you staff that area with a life guard the parents would act like they have a baby sitter and not be diligent for their own children’s safety. Mrs. Coutinho recommended that “crab corner” be a shared service between Harbor Department, Beach department and Police department.
Alan Porter said that area really is a disaster waiting to happen; that a floating dock adds a higher danger of trapping a person and potentially drowning them. Mr. Parker recommended a proper bulkhead be installed. Discussion continued.
Mr. Carroll asked if the beach sticker costs would remain the same. Mrs. Maloney said there will be no changes to the fees. Mrs. Mastromonaco said that means leaving Lucy Vincent at $85.00, Squibnocket at $50.00 with first transfer costing $20.00 and the second transfer costing $10.00 and walk on passes costing $10.00.
Mrs. Mastromonaco asked if with the new Harbormaster shed being built this year could she still count on the storage of the handicap chairs in the storage shed. Tim Carroll said that a storage box will be available.
At 9:04 PM Mr. Porter moved to adjourn. Mr. Malkin seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 5 Ayes FinCom, 3 Ayes Selectmen
Minutes respectfully submitted by Diana DeBlase. Approved 2/12/14
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