TOWN OF HARVARD
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Minutes
Meeting Date: May 13, 2008
Meeting Place: Town Hall
Members Present: Steve Colwell, George McKenna, Terry Mead, Marie Crowley Sobalvarro
Debbie Ricci, Chair
Others: Tim Bragan, Town Administrator
Stu Sklar and Willie Wickman, School Committee
Meeting Time: 7:35 pm
Adjournment Time: 10:30 pm
Discussions and Actions
l The minutes of the May 5th FinCom meeting was reviewed and approved with minor modifications. Marie Crowley-Sobalvarro moved to accept minutes as amended, George McKenna seconded Passed (5-0-0)
l George McKenna made a formal public comment to the School Committee members with his dissatisfaction with the priorities of the School Committee's cuts. He suggested to look at the administrative side of the budget; there would be about $60,000 cut, under fund the fuel budget by $15,000, and hire for Director of Special Needs position at a lower amount by $15,000 and deal with the vacation time for Mr. Horn in a more creative manner. The Superintendent's secretary 's function is really no different than the Town Administrator's secretary with unequal
salary compensation by $16,000. Stu Sklar states there is a trust issue in town. The School Committee will have an audit by MASBO and follow their recommendation.
l Debbie Ricci and Steve Colwell attended the School Committee meeting of May 4 and gave the committee the FY08 School Budget (with a deficit of ~$27,000 for the year end),the FY 09 Proposed budget for the Schools , the School Choice plan for 2008/9 academic year, and the FY09 reductions, levels I, II, and III. $104,000 anticipated savings. The School Committee have scheduled a budget hearing at 7:00 pm at Volunteers Hall at the new Library.
l Omnibus Budget review: $5,000 reduction in local receipts and $5,000 reduction in DPW department.The Salt shed materials will be taken from this years budget. $3,800 change from schools budget to Library. There were some minor changes in State Aid: ~$1000 in increases and ~$1000 in extra charges.
l From the Capital Plan, the Warrant for the electrical upgrades at DPW will be dropped at Town Meeting floor.
l George McKenna made a motion to accept the Budget as presented and dated on 5/13/08 for FY 09, Marie Crowley Sobalvarro seconded the motion and the motion passed. (5-0-0)
l George McKenna questioned Tim Bragan concerning the Ambulance billing situation. There is a secondary plan if Billing is not accepted for Harvard.
l Debbie Ricci presented the updated Capital Plan – There are four separate articles funded from Stabilization $140K for Bromfield boiler, 25K for DPW electrical, $25K for DPW heating system, and $10K for HES fans. There were some discussion on the DPW upgrade recommendations
l Marie Crowley Sobalvarro moved for FinCom to recommend Article 5 , the heating system at the DPW Barn. Terry Mead seconded and the motion passed (4-1-0). Marie Crowley Sobalvarro will write this recommendation for the flyer.
l Protocol Question from George McKenna: Should these 4 Capital articles be inserted by the Capital Plan Committee or Board of Selectmen? This is determined by the charge of the committee.
l The Committee reviewed and amended the recommendations for the Articles.
Article 2—Boiler Replacement at Bromfield-Marie moved to recommend article 2 boiler replacement , George McKenna seconded (5-0-0)
Article 3—Ceiling Fans at HES. (The School Committee will not to use the Shaw Trust as a funding source , this fund has been used for technology needs.) Marie Moved to recommend article 3-Ceiling Fans at HES, George Seconded . Passed (3-1-1)
l Article 4.- DPW electrical upgrades—The Fin Com will make a recommendation on this article at the Special Town Meeting.
l The Finance Committee Recommends this article for up to $25k from the Stabilization Fund. Replacing a 25-year old heating system will increase our energy efficiency at the DPW by use of an alternative energy fuel source (waste oil).
l The Fin Com reviewed and amended the draft of the Flyer to be sent to all Harvard and Evens residents. Moved to accept the recommendation of the FinCom as amended. (5-0-0)
l 10:30 adjourned
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