TOWN OF HARVARD
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Minutes
Meeting Date: Oct 15, 2008
Meeting Place: Town Hall
Members Present: Steve Colwell, Terry Mead, Marie Crowley Sobalvarro
George McKenna,Chair
Others: Tim Bragan, Town Administrator, Lorraine Leonard, Finance Director
FinCom candidates: Debbie Ricci, Bob Thurston,
Meeting Time: 7:39 pm
Adjournment Time: 8:50 pm
Discussions and Actions
l The minutes of the FinCom meeting of Sept. 17, 2008 were approved as amended , moved by Marie Crowley Sobalvarro, seconded by Steve Colwell.(4-0-0)
l The FinCom will delay reviewing the FY2010 budget calendar until all members are on board.
l Lorraine Leonard presented the School Reports on the Omnibus FY 09 budget. We are on track with the exception of tuitions which are higher than estimated. Devens revenue is being received. Currently there are 12 students from Devens, up from estimate of 9 students.
l Certified 'Free Cash' for the Town of Harvard is $86,131.00
l Recap of Omnibus Budget FY09-FY10—with Assumptions
l Lorraine Leonard is assuming 10% increase for insurance estimate with Minuteman INS, for next year- they will probably be offering 'saver plans.'
l Boiler at Bromfield School is almost complete but burners are still back ordered (due 10/31) Mark Force is expecting some additional savings. The cost came in below budget: $24,000 will be returned to Stabilization Fund
l Reserve Fund Transfer
ngs" size="+1" color="#000000" style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:11pt;color:#000000;">l Tim Bragan –The warrant was signed by the BOS on Tuesday, Oct. 14. There are four articles for the Special Town Meeting on October 28, 2008 at 7:00 pm in the Bromfield Auditorium. The committee discussed each article and made recommendations.
1. Article1-Citizens Petition-No billing for Ambulance services
Marie Crowley Sobalvarro moved not to recommend Article 1. Seconded by Steve Colwell. Passed (3-1-0) T. Mead voted NO
The Finance Committee DOES NOT recommend this article. At the last Annual Town Meeting, we collectively agreed to support insurer billing to cover $12,660 of the Ambulance Department’s budget to cover staff training. Passage of this article would eliminate those additional training dollars. In these tight fiscal times, it becomes even more imperative to pursue non-taxpayer sources of revenue, i.e., insurance billing.
2. Article 2: Ambulance Services-Billing Insurance Providers
$12,660 in the FY09 budget for staff training which was contingent on Insurance billing would be lost with passage of this article
Steve Colwell moved to accept Marie Crowley Sobalvarro recommendation as written to recommend Article 2. Seconded by Terry Mead (3-1-0). T Mead voted No
The Finance Committee DOES recommend this article. Two years ago the Town appropriated $200,000 from Stabilization for the acquisition of a new ambulance. Our expectation is that insurer billing would fund the annual operating and future capital needs of this vital public safety department. As voted at the last Annual Town Meeting, all funds collected by insurer billing would be restricted to a receipts reserved account, subject to the appropriation at town meeting for Ambulance Department operations.
3. Article 3: Dog Licenses-Amend Fees
Marie Crowley Sobalvarro moved to recommend Article 3. Steve Colwell seconded. Passed ( 4-0-0).
The Finance Committee DOES recommend this article to increase dog licensing fees. Passage of this article would make our fees comparable to those of surrounding communities. It is estimated that the net impact of this change would increase local receipts by $3,200.
4. Article 4: Close Town Hall on Saturdays
FinCom has no comment on Article 4.
l The FinCom decided to table discussion on the draft form of the Capital Committee until our next meeting when all members will be on board.
l Fincom discussed Budget Process. George McKenna and Marie Crowley Sobalvarro will do a historic study of budget process in Harvard and talk to FinCom members from comparable committees to suggest improvements to Harvard's process.
l Steve Colwell disseminated the Agenda for the Association of Town Finance Committees Annual meeting to be held in Westford, MA on November 1, 2008.
l Steve Colwell disseminated the Schedule of MMA Legislative Breakfast meetings focusing on budget issues for fiscal 2010 . There is a meeting this Friday, October 17th in Boxborough from 8:30-10:00.
l Harvard Special Town meeting will be held on October 28 at7:30 pm in Cronin Auditorium.
FinCom will meet at 6:45 pm on October 28 in Cronin Auditorium before Special Town Meeting.
l FinCom meeting is scheduled for November 5 at 7:30 pm at the Town Hall.
l Marie Crowley Soblavarro moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:50pm, seconded by Steve Colwell. Passed (4-0-0).
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