Joint Meeting
Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee
Monday, March 27, 2006
5:30 p.m. Starbard Building
Selectmen Present: Chairman Joseph Sullivan, and Selectmen Kimberly Ferguson, James Jumonville, Kenneth OBrien and David White.
Finance Committee: Chairman Paul Challenger, Paul Anderson, Edmond Benoit, Alan Berg, Peter Lacey, and Kimberley Paquette.
Also Present: Brian Bullock, Town Manager, Jacquelyn Kelly, Assistant Town Manager
Chairman Challenger called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. He explained that the purpose of the joint meeting was to give both Boards the opportunity to vote on a WRSD budget proposal developed by the Superintendent of Schools, that would reduce the Towns voluntary payment from approximately $1,522,000 to $1,050,000. This proposal, discussed informally between the Superintendent, the Finance Committee Chair and the Town Manager, would result in a voluntary payment that would exceed the amount budgeted by the Town Manager for FY 2007 by about $331,000. Overall, this equates to a 6% increase in the Districts budget compared to FY 2006.
The Business and Finance Subcommittee and the WRSD School Committee were slated to meet later in the evening (March 27, 2006) when they would be presented with the reduced assessment proposal. Chairman Challenger asked that both the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen vote on it so the results could be reported to the School District budget meetings. The other four towns in the District have been apprised of the Superintendents proposal.
The lower voluntary payment will require the town of Holden to reduce its proposed budget by $331,000. There was general agreement that although it meant budget cuts, accepting the Superintendents proposal would avoid six months of debate and multiple town meetings. After further discussion, the Selectmen caucused in a separate room.
Chairman Sullivan asked Town Manager Bullock for his feedback on the proposal. Although the Districts budget is down 2% from what was originally requested, it still represents a 6% increase and includes the second phase of the Districts so-called restoration budget. This means that the Districts budget next year will be calculated on a higher threshold and the town(s) will be facing the same problem of exorbitant voluntary payments. The SBAB grant for the modular units will be passed through to the Holden taxpayers and can not be applied to the expense budget.
On a motion by Selectman White, seconded by Selectman Ferguson, it was voted 4 to 1 with Selectman OBrien opposed, to endorse the Superintendents reduced assessment proposal.
After the vote, Chairman Challenger entered the Selectmens caucus and reported that the Finance Committee had unanimously voted in support of the proposal. A representative from the two Boards will report these results at the subsequent District meetings. On a motion by Selectman Ferguson, seconded by Selectman White, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:30 p.m.
Approved: April 18, 2006
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