SELECT BOARD MINUTES FOR MEETING
Tuesday November 3, 2015 7 pm
Holland Town Hall
27 Sturbridge Road
Holland, MA
Present: Lawrence Mandell, Chair
Elias Gillen, Member
Andrew Harhay, Member
Kelli Robbins, Executive Secretary
Mr. Mandell called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm
Motion 110315-1 - Mr. Mandell, waive the reading of the minutes, accepted as written for October 28, 2015. 2nd Mr. Harhay. So Voted.
Tax Classification hearing was held with Principal Assessor, Joanne Higgins. Ms. Higgins asked the Select Board to adopt a single rate at the recommendation of the Board of Assessors. Ms. Higgins explained that a split tax rate is only typically adopted if the CIP is15% or higher of the tax base. Holland’s CIP is less than 2%. Ms. Higgins stated there may be a drop in the tax rate based on the information currently available. Ms. Higgins also asked the Select Board not to allow any small business exemptions or residential exemptions at the Board of Assessor’s recommendation.
Motion 110315-2 Mr. Mandell, to accept the Board of Assessors’ recommendation to have a single tax rate. 2nd Mr. Gillen. All in favor.
Motion 110315-3 Mr. Mandell, to accept the Board of Assessors’ recommendations to disallow any small business or residential exemptions. 2nd Mr. Gillen. So voted.
Board signed LA-5
Appointment
Mr. Thomas Scanlon of Scanlon and Associates: Mr. Scanlon was present to address the audit done by his company of the Town of Holland Fiscal 2014 year. The report and letter have been provided to the town. Mr. Mandell asked Mr. Scanlon to address the overall condition of the town, best practices, managerial impact and where the town can improve.
Mr. Scanlon explained that the audit was to see if the town was free of financial misstatements. The financial reporting of Holland is above average for a small town.
Mr. Scanlon spoke at length about the high quality of the town’s financial practices. He also stated that as the Select Board, they should know how free cash is generated. Mr. Scanlon highly recommended that free cash not be used to balance the budget as it is not a recurring revenue.
Mr. Scanlon ended by explaining four reasons why it is important to have audits;
- In order to issue bonds. Holland is not planning on issuing any bonds.
- To borrow
- To spend $700,000 or more. Holland is not borrowing to that extent.
- It is a sound financial practice. Holland is in such good shape that the town could move to audits every two years. We can continue to have audits each year but not financially necessary. Holland could just audit the treasurer and collector on the off year.
Mr. Harhay remarked that other towns have gone to biannual audits and that is where they got in trouble.
Old Business
Net metering credits. The Board agrees that entering a 20 year contract term in such a volatile electricity market is not in the best interest of the town, especially in light of the current cable contract problems of the same length.
Mr. Harhay spoke with NextAmp. They are offering a 15% savings for their program without a long term obligation and termination clause that gives a 6 month notice. Mr. Harhay asked the Board if they would like to have presentation by NextAmp for the November 17th meeting. The other board members agreed to do that.
Mr. Gillen asked about the bylaw that states that the Select Board was responsible for coming up with their own budget to present to the Finance Board for their input. Mr. Gillen made is clear that if the bylaw needs to be changed he has no problem with that but until it is the Select Board is required to follow it. Mr. Mandell stated that the Finance Board meetings are posted as joint meetings with the Select Board. Mr. Gillen said he understands the process as it has been in the past but until the bylaw is changed this Board should follow the bylaw. Mr. Harhay stated that the way the bylaw is written that it would be impossible to have a balanced budget to the Finance Board by the February 1st deadline because the numbers from the state are not available. Mr. Gillen stated the Select
Board still needs to follow the bylaw as it is written. The numbers will be subject to change as more information becomes available from the state. Mr. Mandell stated that it is something to discuss at length at the next working Select Board meeting. Ms. Robbins will put it on the agenda for the next meeting.
Legal Announcements - none
Announcements
Mr. Mandell signed a Chapter 90 request earlier in the week.
Trunk or Treat on October 31st was a great success. Thanks to the Holland Recreation Department, Holland Police Department and Holland Fire Department.
Public Access
Ernie Fancy – Finance Board. Very upset to hear the contention regarding the budget process among the Select Board. Mr. Fancy stated that the Finance Board works their fannies off for 3 months and they are not going to present a budget dictated to them. Mr. Fancy offered to tender his resignation. Mr. Mandell asked if he would please wait to do so until after the next Select Board meeting.
Lt. Pat Swain – Veterans’ Agent announced that there would be birthday cake at the Community Center to recognize the Vets at 12:15
Also the Holland Police Department will be serving Thanksgiving dinner at the Community Center to the community on Wednesday November 18th beginning at 11:30 am.
Motion 110315-4, Mr. Mandell to adjourn. 2nd Mr. Gillen. So voted.
Next meeting to be November 10th at 2:30 pm.
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