A special meeting of the County of Dukes County Commissioners was held Wednesday,
July 2, 2003 at 5:00 p.m. in the conference room of the County Administration Building, notice of such meeting having been posted as required by law.
Commissioners Present: Leonard Jason, Jr.; Robert Sawyer; Paul Strauss; Roger Wey; Leslie Leland (5:55 PM); John Alley, Chairman; Nelson Smith.
Also Present: Dianne Powers, Acting County Manager; Marsha Smolev, Executive Assistant; Noreen Mavro Flanders, County Treasurer; Sheriff McCormack; Ezra Blair, MV Times; Tad Crawford, Health Council; Sarah Kuh, VHCAP; William Weibrecht, Airport Manager; Sean Flynn, Assistant Airport Manager; Michael Eldridge, WWTF; Robert Culbert, Water Testing Lab and Recreation; Kendra Read, Water Testing Lab; Liz Bomze; Mandy Locke, Vineyard Gazette; Norman Rankow, Summer Workforce Housing; Joanna Jernegan (5:40 PM), Cathy Brennan, Health Council; John McCarthy, Emergency Management (5:35 PM).
The Chairman opened the meeting at 5:07 PM.
Commissioner Strauss said tonight’s meeting was to find the $20,000 that the Advisory Board voted to fund the Health Council and Access Program, and that the issues of the Water Testing Laboratory would be addressed at a future meeting. Commissioner Jason said there were two ways to find the $20,000, raise revenues or decrease expenses. He suggested raising Lab fees from $54.00 to $65.00 which would be par with Barnstable and $4.00 more than Lab fees in Aquinnah. Rob Culbert said he thought the Lab would more than meet projected revenues once the new machine was operating. Commissioner Jason continued, stating the other part of the plan which was to increase the price of Beach Stickers. He said 1/3 of the stickers were for Island residents, and 2/3 for off-Island. The Island
Stickers would go from $50.00 to $60.00 and off-Island from $80.00 to $100.00. Commissioner Jason noted that Beach Stickers had not increased in price for many years. Commissioner Sawyer agreed that the idea was ‘on target’ but was concerned that this might diminish the customer base. He said he remained concerned about the Lab. Chairman Alley asked if the plovers might affect these revenues, but Commissioner Jason pointed out that he had not changed the number of stickers being sold, just the price.
Commissioner Jason went on to suggest reducing Mr. Culbert’s hours in the Laboratory and raising them in the Recreation Department. The Health and Benefit lines were then adjusted accordingly. Commissioner Jason then reviewed the distribution of the funds in Departments 1500 and 1510. Tad Crawford and Sarah Kuh were consulted about these distributions into particular lines
Commissioner Jason Moved that the Commission make the changes in the FY 04 Budget as suggested. Commissioner Sawyer Seconded the Motion.
Treasurer Flanders said money for repairs of the building on the New York Avenue Property should go into Department 800. Commissioner Smith Moved that that be included in the Motion. The Motion Passed Unanimously.
Commissioner Sawyer Moved that the Commissioners enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing non-union contract negotiations and not return to Open Session. Commissioner Jason Seconded the Motion. The Commissioners invited Ms. Powers and Ms. Smolev to attend. Roll Call vote: Commissioner Sawyer – aye; Commissioner Wey – aye; Commissioner Jason – aye; Commissioner Smith – aye; Commissioner Strauss – aye; Commissioner Leland – aye; Chairman Alley – aye.
The Commissioners moved into Executive Session and recessed at 5:45 PM.
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JOSEPH E. SOLLITTO, JR., CLERK OF THE COURTS -
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