TOWN COUNCIL MAJORITY OFFICE
BUDGET COMMITTEE
JANUARY 19, 2012
PRESENT Ram Aberasturia, Temporary Chair, Councillors Barbara-Ann Rossi
and Robert J. Damaschi
ALSO Marcia Leclerc, Mayor
PRESENT Mike Walsh, Finance Director
CALL TO ORDER
Temporary Chair Aberasturia called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
NOMINATION OF OFFICERS
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Bob Damaschi
to nominate Ram Aberasturia as Chair
of the Budget Committee.
Motion carried 3/0.
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Bob Damaschi
to nominate Barbara Rossi as Secretary
of the Budget Committee.
Motion carried 3/0.
ADOPTION OF RULES GOVERNING MEETINGS
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Bob Damaschi
to adopt Robert’s Rules of Order as the rules that shall govern
parliamentary procedure at all subcommittee meetings, with the exception
that (1) the Chair shall not be required to restate the motion of any
Council member unless requested by another Councillor, or when in the
discretion of the Chair, such restatement is necessary to avoid any
confusion as to the motion; and (2) where such rules are in conflict with
the provisions of the State Statutes, the Town Charter, or Town
Ordinances.
Motion carried 3/0.
ESTABLISHMENT OF MEETING DATES
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Bob Damaschi
to hold meetings at the call of the Chair.
Motion carried 3/0.
STORAGE OF RECORDS
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Bob Damaschi
to store records in the Town Council office.
Motion carried 3/0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 28, 2010 Meeting
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Bob Damaschi
to approve the minutes from the January 28, 2010 meeting as written.
Motion carried 3/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
None
OLD BUSINESS
Leaf Collection
Mayor Leclerc indicated that the leaf collection process was completed as of January 18, 2012. The approximate cost to the town in overtime for a single leaf collection is $115,000. $42,000 was saved by completing a single collection. However, single leaf collections pose a problem when dealing with the unpredictability of the weather.
Combining Services: I.T., Legal, Purchasing
A general discussion was initiated by Mike Walsh, Finance Director, regarding a variety of consolidation opportunities with the Board of Education. Currently, the Board of Education is reviewing their trash and recycling process based on the services being provided by the town. The Budget Committee Chair and members will discuss possible consolidation with their caucuses and then have a discussion with their Board of Education counterparts. If well received, Mark Zito, the Superintendent of Schools, his staff, and the Board of Education will be invited to attend the next Budget Committee meeting on February 9th.
NEW BUSINESS
Departmental Summary of 2011-2012 FY Budget
Mike Walsh, Finance Director, reviewed the year to date General Fund Revenues and Expenses with the Committee and believes the year-end figures for 2011-2012 are on budget. He noted that medical claims are increasing each month and that workers’ compensation claims have also risen. Due to this, the town’s insurance premiums will most likely increase in the 2012-2013 fiscal year.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Bob Damaschi
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to adjourn (7:06 p.m.)
Motion carried 3/0.
cc: Town Clerk
Town Council
Melody A. Currey, Mayor
Mike Walsh, Finance Director
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