FinCom & Board of SelectmenFY2015 Budget Hearing Minutes February 20, 2014
Present: FinCom: Marshall, Riggs Parker, Linda Coutinho and James Malkin. Bruce Golden, Frank Yeomans and Alan Porter were absent. Selectmen: Warren Doty, Jonathan Mayhew and
Bill Rossi. Others: Tim Carroll, Ellen Biskis, Melanie Becker, Ebba Hierta, Matthew Poole and Pam Bunker.
At 6:30 PM Chairman Marshall Carroll called meeting to order in the Selectmen’s meeting room.
Board of Health Regulation / Bylaw:
Board of Health member Matt Poole presented the New Fertilizer Regulations prepared by the BOH. Mr. Poole explained that in September 2012 the State took local regulations away from the towns but through Representative Tim Madden’s work the Island has permission to formulate a turf fertilizer regulation of its own.
Mr. Poole explained the regulations that will be presented as an article at the Annual Town Meeting April 28, 2014.
Discussion ensued. Mr. Rossi asked how this regulation would be enforced. Mr. Poole said enforcement will be difficult and that this regulation is primarily an educational effort. The regulation requires all landscapers who will apply turf fertilizers to attend courses and become licensed. Then when the retailers sell turf fertilizers the purchaser will show their license.
Adult Continued Education:
Sam Hart presented the request to have an article for Annual Town Warrant to help fund the ACE program. Mr. Hart explained that the monies being requested would fund the job salaries for an Executive Director, Program Director and an Executive Assistant.
Mr. Malkin asked Mr. Hart to explain the strategy for ACE to become self-sufficient. Mr. Hart said that fundraising and enrollment in courses is the action ACE will take. Mrs. Coutinho asked how many adults a year use the ACE program. Mr. Hart answered approximately 700 adults take the courses that are offered. The amount that ACE is asking for on Chilmark town Warrant is $9,577.00. The total amount being requested from all island towns is $90,000.00. Mr. Hart said to please direct any clarification questions to Executive Director Lynn Ditchfield.
Budget Summary:
Town Accountant Mrs. Biskis presented the final figures and updates to the FY15 budget. Mrs. Biskis said that Assistant Assessor Pam Bunker, Tax Collector Jess Bradlee and herself Town Accountant budgets will increase by $290.00 each for the software maintenance line. This increase is because Treasurer Mrs. Becker is not using the tax title portion of the software but the cost of the software does not decrease.
Mrs. Coutinho said she strongly recommends to not buy software that is incompatible with different town departments.
Budget Summary Continued…
Mrs. Biskis said that the total budget for Chilmark FY15 is $8,671,373.00
Annual Town Meeting Draft Warrant:
Tim Carroll presented the FinCom members the draft warrant article to vote to: recommend, not recommend or take no action.
Fincom reviewed and voted on the following articles:
Chilmark Community Center joint maintenance fund, raise and appropriate sum of $5,000.00. Mr. Parker moved to recommend, Mr. Malkin seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: RECOMMENDED 4 Ayes
Fincom Reserve Fund, raise and appropriate sum of $40,000.00. Mr. Parker moved to recommend, Mr. Malkin seconded the motion. SO VOTED: RECOMMENDED 4 Ayes
Vineyard Health Care Access program, raise and appropriate sum of $23,256.00.
Mr. Parker moved to recommend, Mr. Malkin seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: RECOMMENDED 4 Ayes
General Stabilization Fund, transfer from available funds sum of $55,000.00.
Mr. Parker moved to recommend, Mr. Malkin seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: RECOMMENDED 4 Ayes
Fire Department Stabilization Fund, transfer from available funds sum of $30,000.00.
Mr. Parker moved to recommend, Mr. Malkin seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: RECOMMENDED 4 Ayes
Ambulance Stabilization Fund, transfer from available funds sum of $12,000.00.
Mr. Parker moved to recommend, Mr. Malkin seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: RECOMMENDED 4 Ayes
Police Department, Fire Department and Community Center Building Maintenance projects, transfer from available funds sum of $12,000.00.
Mr. Malkin moved to recommend, Mrs. Coutinho seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: RECOMMENDED 4 Ayes
Portable Fire Pump, transfer from available funds sum of $6,000.00
Mr. Malkin moved to recommend, Mr. Parker seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: RECOMMENDED 4 Ayes
Fire Department Utility Task Vehicle, transfer from available funds sum of $5,000.00.
Mrs. Coutinho moved to recommend, Mr. Malkin seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: RECOMMENDED 4 Ayes
Warrant articles continued:
Cashbook and Permit Software transfer from available funds sum of $15,000.00.
Mr. Parker moved to recommend, Mrs. Coutinho seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: RECOMMENDED, 4 Ayes
CPC articles
The FinCom heard the 7 articles from the Community Preservation Committee. Mrs. Coutinho moved to take no action on CPC articles. Mr. Parker seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: NO ACTION, 4 Ayes
Fertilizer Regulation
Mr. Malkin moved to recommend, Mr. Parker seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: RECOMMENDED 4 Ayes
Police Department cost of participation in Enforcement Council, raise and appropriate sum of $3,500.00. Mr. Malkin moved to recommend, Mrs. Coutinho seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: RECOMMENDED 4 Ayes
Mrs. Coutinho recommended this be put into police budget as it seems to be on a warrant every year.
Police Department new vehicle, transfer from available funds sum of $32,000.00.
Discussion ensued. Mr. Malkin said this should be put onto the FinCom September meeting for Capital Planning. Mr. Parker moved to recommend, Mrs. Coutinho seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: RECOMMENDED 3 Ayes, 1 Abstain
MV Shellfish Group experimental project using shellfish to remove nitrogen from Chilmark Great Pond transfer from available funds sum of $10,000.00.
Mr. Malkin moved to recommend, Mr. Parker seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: RECOMMENDED 4 Ayes
Pay down tax rate, transfer from available funds sum of $100,000.00
Discussion took place.
Mr. Malkin moved to recommend, Mrs. Coutinho seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: RECOMMENDED, 4 Ayes
Landfill improvements transfers from no longer supported County Pest Management sum of $7,064.01 and $818.61 from 2012 Assessors revalue article.
Mr. Malkin moved to recommend, Mrs. Coutinho seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: RECOMMENDED, 4 Ayes
Adult Continued Education, raise and appropriate sum of $9,567.00.
Discussion took place. Mr. Malkin moved to not recommend, Mrs. Coutinho seconded the motion. Discussion took place. Mr. Malkin recommended no action, Mrs. Coutinho seconded the motion. SO VOTED: NO ACTION, 4 Ayes
Home Rule Petition Banning Pesticides in Squibnocket Pond Overlay District.
Mrs. Coutinho moved to take no action, Mr. Malkin seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: NO ACTION, 4 Ayes
Squibnocket Beach and parking lot and road access plan.
Mrs. Coutinho moved to take no action, Mr. Malkin seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: NO ACTION, 4 Ayes
Chilmark and Aquinnah Town Line Boundary adjustments.
Mrs. Coutinho moved to take no action, Mr. Malkin seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: NO ACTION, 4 Ayes
Nabs Corner lot development $40,000.00 from the Molly Flender Housing Trust that will be replenished by lot sales.
Mrs. Coutinho moved to take no action, Mr. Malkin seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: NO ACTION, 4 Ayes
Mr. Doty said to have minimal discussion concerning the Nabs Corner project till town closes on the purchase.
Discussion turned to meetings for the FinCom to plan for. Tim Carroll recommended second Wednesdays in July, September, October, November and December. Capital planning will be an agenda item in July.
Mrs. Coutinho said FinCom needs to contact the MV Commission and School departments to get them to be as accountable as our town departments. Tim Carroll recommended a member of FinCom to attend the school budget hearings.
Mr. Carroll asked if the FinCom was prepared to vote the Town budget. Mr. Malkin moved to reject the MV Commission FY15 budget. No second or vote. Discussion ensued. Mr. Malkin moved to not recommend the MVC FY2015 budget, Mrs. Coutinho seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: NOT RECOMMENDED, 4 Ayes
Tim Carroll asked what would be an approved MVC budget. Discussion ensued. Mr. Parker moved to dis-approve any increases the MVC made, Mr. Malkin seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 4 Ayes
Tim Carroll discussed items that are to be put on the Annual Town Meeting as override items. The schools will be 2 different overrides; MVRHS $121,403.00 and UIRSD $70,349.00.
Another override is $15,000.00 for MVC operating budget.
Mr. Parker asked how the FinCom can get maximum impact to the MVC concerning the budget the FinCom disapproves. Mr. Parker recommended a press release. Mr. Malkin suggested a letter be drafted by both Fin Com and board of Selectmen separately on this topic and sent to MVC. Mr. Malkin said we should request improved management, focus and prioritization from the MVC.
Discussion turned to who will be running for election to FinCom for ATM. Mr. Parker said he would not be running that he was finished. Mr. Malkin said he would be running for a position on the FinCom at ATM.
Mr. Malkin said though we have approved the FY15 budget that the increase from this year is high and recommended looking at structure. Mr. Parker said that the step increases should not be automatic. Discussion took place. Mr. Carroll said that they are not automatic that they are only applied after a favorable recommendation from supervisors after yearly evaluations.
Ebba Hierta said she backed out the education and OPEB figures from the FY15 budget and the increase to the budget with that done is 2.4%.
Discussion turned to an all island FinCom consortium. Discussion also turned to keeping island kids with special needs being cared for and housed here instead of sending them off island.
Mr. Parker moved to approve town FY15 budget of $8,671,373.00 minus the MVC portion. Mr. Malkin seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 4 Ayes
At 9:08 PM Chairman Carroll moved to adjourn, Mr. Parker seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 4 Ayes
Minutes respectfully submitted by Diana DeBlase Approved 09/10/14
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