Finance Committee Minutes – 6 January, 2007, Town Hall
Meeting called to order at 9:05 a.m.
Finance Committee Members Present: Colwell, Donovan, McKenna, Ricci, Sobalvarro,
Selectmen and School Committee Members Present: Dean, Eubank, Kimball, Verbits, Wallace
Administrators Present: Leonard, Bragan, Jefferson
The intent of this meeting was to review the selectmen’s budget for FY08.
Four small warrant articles were considered (and noted as a change from the 12/12 meeting):
Additional Sergeant position in PD (13k)
Restore 2 p/t transfer station attendants (26k)
Additional time (5 hrs) for COA outreach ($4.68k)
Increased electrical costs to operate pond pumping ($20k)
These items are not included in the estimated $788k override (although the incremental cost for the new library -- $190k – is included)
Only steps and columns are incorporated into the budget, no COLAs are shown for any departments. Eubank suggested that COLAs (published monthly) for comparable positions be researched.
- Minor changes for Finance Department and Selectmen’s Office budget (typos) were suggested.
- Legal: 5-10k increase in budget reflects town counsel’s suggestion (re. Fruitlands)
- Planning Board and ZBA have picked up hours of administrative assistant to make this a full-time (w/benefits) position.
- Police Department increase in Chief’s salary due to 2 steps shown (no step increased in FY07).
In order to decrease overtime, 2 additional officers would be required.
Leonard to research what’s built into the additional $13k for a sergeant position.
- Montachusett Tech increase TBD; it was suggested that Steve Colwell be nominated.
- DPW payroll step increases will occur throughout the year as they are keyed to the staff member’s anniversary date.
Open question where the p/t DPW staff member will be shown.
Confirm that recycling is cost-neutral, excluding glass.
- Pond Committee – note that budget does not incorporate the requested $20k warrant article.
- COA – note that MART van is reflected in the general fund (and is a net-offset).
Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
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