Dukes County Commission
Minutes
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
5 p.m.
Dukes County Administration Building
9 Airport Road, Edgartown, MA
Commissioner Present: Tristan Israel, Melinda Loberg, Les Leland, Lenny Jason, Carlene Gatting, John Alley.
Not Present: Tom Hallahan
County Staff present: Russell H. Smith – County Manager, Martina Thornton – Ex. Assistant, Noreen Mavro Flanders – County Treasurer
*Others: Remy Tumin – MV Gazette, Joanie Ames – MVTV.
Meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM
1. Minutes
Les/Melinda moved to approve the Minutes of 9-28-2011 as presented. So voted. Abstained: Carlene Gatting, John Alley. In favor: Tristan, Melinda, Les, Lenny.
2. Health Insurance – update – Noreen Mavro Flanders
Noreen informed the Commissioners that the Cape Cod Municipal Health Group (CCMHG) voted on October 5th, 2011 in favor of the plans that were presented as drafts earlier, all GIC look-alikes with a vote 21 to 6. There will be $250 deductible for individuals, which we never had before and a $2,000 out of pocket expense maximum for individuals and $4,000 for family. The anticipated decrease in premiums is between 8-12%. The CCMHG will set their rates at the beginning of January. The law requires expedited negotiation process with the unions and setting up a mitigation plan, where in the first year 25% of the savings must go back to the union employees. At the department head meeting the department heads agreed that they would like the same courtesy as the unions for a mitigation plan. There is a letter from Jo Ann Murphy, the
employees’ representative to the County Personnel Board, expressing the wish on behalf of all non-union employees.
Lenny/Carlene moved that the non-union employees will be treated the same way as the union employees in this matter. Discussion: Noreen asked who will pick the mitigation plan for the non-union employees. Tristan said that it would be the same plan as the Airport unions negotiate. He asked if there will be enough money to do this. Noreen said that it will not go into effect until FY2013 budget and that there is money to do it. It would be shown as a separate line item in the budget. So voted. All in favor.
3. Manager’s Report
SSA property at the Business Park – the Port Council met and had positive reaction to our letter expressing interest to take over the lease of the property. Tristan asked Russell to talk to the Tisbury Port Council member about the particulars. Martina forwarded the lease to all commissioners prior to the meeting. John said that the lease is transferable at the low rate as negotiated originally and the property was already wetted by the FAA and will not need to go through the process again. The Airport’s Land-Use Subcommittee is meeting on October 21st at 9am and then again on October 28th to discuss the photovoltaic (PV) installation proposals. Russell said he is going to Boston with Peter Cabana on Tuesday October 18th to meet with Rep. Madden and Senator Wolf to discuss the possibility
of installation of PV panels at the State Forest.
Exec. Assistant Leave – Mr. Thornton will take a maternity leave and Russell is talking to Erin Leighton, who did the job before to come in part-time to fill in starting in December. Martina is entitled to 12 weeks and we would like her to come back afterward. Lenny suggested being flexible with the arrangements.
Communication Graphic Institute (CGI) video project though the National Association of Counties (NACO) is almost complete. It will be promoting the island towns as part of our economic development efforts.
Barrier Beach Task Force – Russell thanked the Friends of Sengekontacket for a donation of 50 beach plums to be planted at the State Beach. The planting will be done by volunteers in conjunction with the community service program. Carlene asked Russell for detailed accounting of the grant money we receive from the State to manage the State Beach by the next meeting. Russell said that we used $10-12K to pay Audubon Society for the bird monitoring and last year we used $12K to move dredged material from the little channel after the bridge construction to the groins. We are also conducting an invasive species study.
4. Old Business
Tristan asked Russell if he could work on exploring the grant writer possibility.
Tristan said that Tom had a chance to talk to Congressman Keating regarding the services for veterans on the island and asked him for a meeting regarding this issue to be set up at his convenience. Russell said he is in communication with the Providence VA as well as Mr. Ferriter from the MV Hospital, who is waiting for the contracts to come from the VA. Tristan said that if nothing is realized by the beginning of next year then maybe we should come up with our own draft of the contract as Lenny suggested.
Noreen presented the Commissioners with quarterly reports on revenue and expenses. Some revenues come after the end of the month. The Registry fees are on target, the excise tax revenue is about $10K behind what it should be at this time. Retirement expenses will be little higher than expected. She asked if the shortfall from Oak Bluffs not participating in the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) could be resolved at the next meeting as the budget she had does not take that into consideration. Tristan asked Russell to prepare a letter for the next meeting to Oak Bluffs asking them if they are planning on participating in the program next year. Russell said that his plan is to include Oak Bluffs in the process again.
Noreen asked if it could be discussed at the next meeting, which will be a joint meeting with the County Advisory Board (CAB) to discuss what will be the expectations for the FY2013 presentation of the IPM warrant articles. If it will be only 2.5% increase from last years’ figure or if it will be 2.5% increase from the projected budget for the program. In FY2012 the County due to the difference has to pay extra $10K on top of the 20% that was agreed. Russell said that the Fin Com met with CAB and did approve the FY2012 numbers. Noreen said that that was to cover the shortfall from Oak Bluffs not participating which is a different issue. Tristan would like to have discussion about how the shortfall will be covered if this happens next year again. Carlene asked if there will be recommendation from the Finance Committee regarding the
FY2013 budget. Tristan asked Russell to meet with Noreen and have all information available regarding the FY2013 budget including revenue projections prior to the joint meeting with the Advisory Board. Noreen said she will prepare a spreadsheet showing the difference of what was presented to towns and what the actual budget was since the towns started participating in financing the IPM program. Melinda asked if the administrative package that the county provides for this program is part of the general assessment or not. Noreen said yes, there is nothing in the IPM budget to cover the administrative cost of the program.
Adjournment:
John/Melinda moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:45p.m. All in favor.
Respectfully Submitted by:
______________________________
JOSEPH E. SOLLITTO JR., Clerk of the Courts
Documents presented at the meeting and part of the official records:
- Agenda
- Letter from Jo Ann Murphy
- Quarterly report on revenue and expenses with e-mail explanation
- Statistic from Prescription Cards for the first year
- Invitation from Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard
- August report from Cape Light Compact
- Old Business List
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