Town of Mashpee
16 Great Neck Road N.
Mashpee, Massachusetts 02649
FINANCE COMMITTEE – PUBLIC SESSION
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Town Hall – Conference Room 1
Minutes of the Meeting of Thursday, March 10, 2011
Committee Members Present: Also Present:
Oskar Klenert, Chairman Joyce Mason, Town Manager
Charles Gasior, Vice Chairman Theresa Cook, BOS Liaison
George Schmidt, Clerk
Christopher Avis
Robert Chalker
Mark Davini
William Johnson
Chairman Oskar Klenert called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
OPENING STATEMENT – Oskar Klenert
“One of the great privileges of a democratic society is that all members of the public can participate in making decisions which affect the life of individuals, community, state and federal government. One of the avenues by which each person can become part of this process is to volunteer and thereby provide invaluable service to the town government and the community. The busiest time within a calendar year for elected town officials is the preparation of the yearly operating budget. Much time and work goes into the planning of an operating budget and, also of equal importance, the accounting of funds needed to meet the budget requirements. Elected officials as well as the town manager and department heads work behind the scenes to ensure that the services provided by town hall for all residents, young and old
alike, is being met. The members of the Finance Committee are appointed by the town moderator in accordance with the town charter, our own constitution by which we conduct the business of the town. Our responsibility is to review and advise the officials of the town government, but more importantly it is the responsibility of the Finance Committee to advise the voter and taxpayer in regards to financial matters which impact the local tax rate. Mr. Charles Gasior, Vice Chairman of the Finance Committee, has for several years taken on the responsibility of assisting in the establishment of the real estate tax rate. His expertise and voluntary service to the Town of Mashpee is much appreciated, and we, the members of the Finance Committee, thank him for his contributions.”
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 2/24/11
George Schmidt made a motion that the minutes from the Finance Committee meeting of 2/24/11 be approved as presented. Mark Davini seconded the motion. Christopher Avis and Charles Gasior abstained from the vote. The motion was approved.
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence.
NEW BUSINESS
No new business.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Invitation Letter to Local State Representatives – Christopher Avis
Oskar Klenert asked for an update on the invitation letter to the state reps and other local officials. Christopher Avis stated that Messers Hunt, Keating, Vieira, and Wolf will be invited to attend a Finance Committee meeting with an open-ended agenda, to include discussions on CPA funding, opiates, and senior funding, with a request to respond with suggested dates they would be available to attend such a meeting.
Oskar Klenert commented that the Cape has both state and local government representatives, but the local representatives are those who can best speak to our local needs, and should be the ones to contact first. If there are issues that require discussions at the federal level, then it would be more appropriate to go to Washington to meet with our representatives, rather than ask them to travel to the Cape for a meeting. Oskar Klenert added that meeting with both state and federal representatives at the same time would be too much for one session.
Christopher Avis stated that he will email the draft letter to all the committee members for their review, with comments and finalization to be scheduled for the next Finance Committee meeting.
2. The Finance Committee Annual Report – Charles Gasior
Joyce Mason stated that the printer as of today picked up the copy for the annual report and will begin working on setting the print this week, so that any changes should be made within the next few days. Mr. Gasior suggested that the committee members review the report and be prepared to approve it at the Finance Committee/ Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday, March 14th.
3. Review/Approval of Town Manager’s 2012 Budget – Charles Gasior
Mr. Gasior stated that the line items not approved at the Finance Committee meeting on 2/24/11 would now be reviewed for approval.
General Government
Board of Selectmen/Office Of Town Manager – $361,757.
Discussion followed regarding the re-funding of $85,553 for the Assistant Town Manager position which has been vacant for the past year.
Joyce Mason stated her feeling that the town is running on borrowed time, that it is a matter of time before something falls through the cracks. We are not moving forward on major projects; there is a committee looking for some guidance and support from the Selectmen’s office that they are unable to provide; there is a local comprehensive plan that is in need of direction; we have a huge sewer project coming up. Joyce stated that the office staff is keeping up, but they are not focusing on major projects that need attention.
William Johnson asked the question as to whether the town is out of the woods yet regarding the economic recovery. Mr. Johnson stated that he feels we are not, and is concerned about funding new positions now, should there be another downturn in the economy. Joyce Mason replied that her budget is recommending setting aside funds available today for unforeseen needs in FY2013.
Christopher Avis stated that Mashpee taxes every year continue to increase, and people are struggling to make ends meet. As the town increases services, i.e., more police, more fire staff and an assistant town manager, we need to think about where it stops, because the economy is not yet out of the woods.
Mark Davini suggested that the committee suspend a decision on the Town Manager’s budget line item until after the other remaining line items to be approved are reviewed.
Finance Committee - $154,780.
Christopher Avis made a motion to reduce the Finance Committee budget from $154,780 to $150,000. Robert Chalker seconded the motion. Discussion followed. Mr. Gasior stated that there still will be $100,000 available in the Finance Committee emergency fund.
The motion was unanimously approved.
Human Resources - $288,153.
Christopher Avis made a motion that the Human Resources budget for $288,153 be approved. George Schmidt seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
MIS/Tech Information - $373,420.
Charles Gasior made a motion that the MIS/Tech Information budget for $373,420 be approved. Mark Davini seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
Town Clerk/Elections - $192,699.
Charles Gasior made a motion that the Town Clerk/Elections budget for $192,699 be approved.
Mark Davini seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
Maintenance of Public Property
DPW - $3,487,207.
Charles Gasior made a motion that the DPW budget for $3,487,207 be approved. Mark Davini seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
Maintenance of Public Properties - $233,040.
Charles Gasior made a motion that the Maintenance of Public Properties budget for $233,040 be approved. Mark Davini seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
Transfer Station/Recycling - $887,000.
Charles Gasior made a motion that the Transfer Station/Recycling budget for $887,000 be approved. George Schmidt seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
Land & Property Development
Conservation Commission – $112,004.
Charles Gasior made a motion that the Conservation Commission budget of $112,004 be approved. William Johnson seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
Public Safety & Enforcement Agencies
Police Department - $3,854,558.
Charles Gasior made a motion that the Police Department budget of $3,854,558 be approved.
Christopher Avis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
Fire Department - $3,108,766.
Charles Gasior made a motion that the Fire Department budget of $3,108,766 be approved. Mark Davini seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
Tree Warden - $500.00.
Charles Gasior made a motion that the Tree Warden budget of $500.00 be approved. Mark Davini seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
Resident Services
Health Department - $213,016.
Christopher Avis made a motion that the Health Department budget of $213,016 be approved. Mark Davini seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
Human Services. - $107,919.
Charles Gasior made a motion that the Human Services budget of $107,919 be approved. Christopher Avis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
Other Departmental Appropriations
School Department - $18,560,434.
Charles Gasior stated that this number includes an increase of $300,000 which represents the Town Manager’s recommended funding level. Discussion followed regarding the School Department’s budget request, and the problems inherent in the lack of specifics as to where/how the money is spent.
William Johnson made a motion that the Finance Committee accept the budget as proposed by the Town Manager in the amount of $18,560.434. Discussion followed. The motion was defeated.
Charles Gasior made a motion that the Finance Committee approve a School Committee budget of $18,410,434. Robert Chalker seconded the motion. Discussion followed.
William Johnson stated that it appears that the Finance Committee does not have a say in where the school department funds are being spent. The committee recognizes that all areas reported cannot be specifically defined. The committee also acknowledges the need for the management of the budget to have a certain degree of fluidity in order to administer the day-to-day needs of running an effective school system. However, in order to approve the school budget, the Finance Committee needs the following information: (1) the amount of the budget that reflects those items that are fixed and predictable; (2) the amount estimated as a contingency fund to accommodate those line items not fixed and predictable; and (3) the amount that will offset the requested budget in the form of prepayment of expenses and obligations.
William Johnson’s summation was that the Finance Committee does not have enough information at this time to approve the School Committee budget.
Roll Call Vote: Christopher Avis, no; Mark Davini, no; George Schmidt, no; William Johnson, no; Charles Gasior, yes; Robert Chalker, no, Oskar Klenert, no. The motion was defeated.
Mark Davini made a motion that the Finance Committee make a request to the School Committee for further information to clarify their budget request for prepayments, the contingency fund, and detail out the potential for the contingency fund. Charles Gasior seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
Library - $394,517.
Charles Gasior made a motion that the Library budget of $394,517 be approved. William Johnson seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
Historical Society - $8,423.
Charles Gasior made a motion that the Historical Society budget of $8,423 be approved. Christopher Avis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
General Expenses
Interest & Principal on Debt - $4,973.693; Pensions/Unemployment - $2,149,358;
Medical Insurance/Medicare - $6,178,776.
Christopher Avis made a motion that the total General Expenses of $13,886,997 be approved. Mark Davini seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
Oskar Klenert reported receipt of a letter from Cape Cod Regional Tech. School substantiating the requisition of $955,504 paid in various increments. This is a commitment the town has made. The number of students has increased by 500; the average cost per student is $14,000.
Christopher Avis will add this topic to the list of issues for discussion in the invitation letter to the state representatives.
General Government
Office of Town Manager - $361,757
Theresa Cook spoke up in support of funding the Assistant Town Manager position, saying that the Town Manager and the two administrative assistants have done an amazing job picking up the slack the past year in the absence of an assistant Town Manager. Ms.Cook stated that we are approaching a breaking point; we are being re-active, not proactive, and she highly recommends refunding the Assistant Administrator position. Ms. Cook summed up her remarks by stating that in the long run, it could be fiscally irresponsible not to do so.
Charles Gasior made a motion to approve the appropriation of $36l,757 for the Board of Selectmen/Office of the Town Manager. William Johnson seconded the motion. Roll Call vote was taken: Christopher Avis, no; Mark Davini, yes; George Schmidt, yes; William Johnson, yes; Oskar Klenert, yes; Charles Gasior, yes; Robert Chalker, yes. The motion was approved.
Mr. Avis stated his reason for opposing the motion was his feeling that the economy is not yet out of the woods, that approving raises and the refunding of existing vacant positions is sending the wrong message to the unions in town who will be encouraged to continue to push for higher wages.
4. Review/Recommendations by Finance Committee on all Warrants – Charles Gasior
Charles Gasior reviewed each of the articles contained in the warrants to be presented to the voters for action at the May 2, 2011 Town Meeting.
Oskar Klenert stated that he will be disseminating information to the committee regarding Article 11, submitted by the Community Preservation Committee, and Article 12, submitted by the Sewer Commission, after receiving input from the Board of Selectmen.
5. Web Site Status Report – Mark Davini
Mark Davini reported that the Finance Committee at the last meeting voted to submit a current agenda and only the last set of approved minutes for posting on the committee’s web site. The Board of Selectmen has recommended to all Boards and Committees with web sites that all approved minutes should be archived on the web site, in addition to the current agenda.
Mark Davini made a motion that the Finance Committee comply with the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen to archive all approved minutes as well as the current agenda. Charles Gasior seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
LIAISON REPORT –Oskar Klenert
Oskar Klenert distributed a draft explanation to the committee for both Article 11, submitted by the Community Preservation Committee, and Article 12, submitted by the Sewer Commission.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Finance Committee was scheduled for Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 6:30 PM, Conference Room 1 at Mashpee Town Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Ina G. Schlobohm
Recording Secretary
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