FINANCE COMMITTEE – PUBLIC SESSION
Mashpee Town Hall – Waquoit Meeting Room 1
Thursday, March 7, 2013 – 6:30 PM
Minutes of the Meeting of 3/07/2013
Committee Members Present: Also Present:
George Schmidt, Chairman Joyce Mason, Town Manager
Charles Gasior, Vice Chairman Tom Mayo, Asst. Town Manager
Mark Davini, Clerk Mike Richardson, BOS Liaison
Christopher Avis Kathy Mahoney, Mashpee Public Library Director
Theresa Cook Scott McGee, School Committee Vice Chairman
Sal DiBuono
Oskar Klenert
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman George Schmidt called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Recited.
REVIEW OF MINUTES
Public Session minutes of 2/28/13 were amended as presented. Theresa Cook made a motion that the minutes be approved as amended. Charles Gasior seconded the motion. The motion was approved by the committee, 6-0, with one abstention.
NEW BUSINESS
- BOS Liaison Report – Mike Richardson
- Mr. Richardson reported on attendance at the School Superintendent Search Committee meeting with Mark Davini on Feb. 28th. The four final candidates were presented to the School Committee on Wednesday, March 6th with announcement scheduled for March 27th by the Committee on their final decision.
- Affordable Housing Trust Committee will be meeting on Monday, March 11th, with Oskar Klenert in attendance representing the Finance Committee.
- School Committee. Mark Davini expressed his gratitude to the Finance Committee for giving him the opportunity to serve on the School Superintendent Search Committee, which was a very enlightening, enjoyable and educational experience. The Search Committee members conducted themselves in a very professional manner, taking the job seriously, and came up with a positive end result. Mr. Davini stated his optimism that the committee will come up with a good choice for the new superintendent.
(NEW BUSINESS, Cont’d)
- CIP Committee. Theresa Cook reported that the CIP Committee will be meeting with the Board of Selectmen on 3/11/13.
- 6:45 PM - Kathy Mahoney, Mashpee Public Library Director
Kathy Mahoney, Director of the Mashpee Public Library, introduced herself to the Finance Committee. Ms. Mahoney stated that the library budget request for FY 2014 includes two additional part time circulation desk staff members, two additional part time cataloguers, and the upgrade to full time status of a current part-time reference librarian.
Ms. Mahoney stated that one of her primary goals is to increase the collection of circulation material to match the space made available by the new library building. More programming for adults, children’s and teenagers’ programs are also a priority. The Meeting Room is now being offered to groups from all over the Cape, which is being constantly utilized, which requires staff
time.
Theresa Cook stated that she strongly supports the library budget request for 2014.
Charles Gasior stated his satisfaction in the knowledge that the library is being accepted and utilized by groups Cape-wide. Mr. Gasior asked Ms. Mahoney for specifics about the five-year strategic plan for the library. Ms. Mahoney stated that more books, more programs and services for young adults and adults are included in the plan. Ms. Mahoney stated that she is in the process now of writing a grant to get money for teen services. There is a need to get staff up to date on using e-books, and keeping in touch with the school librarians in order to keep books available for current school projects.
Oskar Klenert inquired about the meeting rooms regarding policy on fees and availability of use.
Ms. Mahoney stated that there is no charge for use of the meeting rooms, but availability of the rooms is handled by reservations through the library. Fundraising projects for the library are handled by the Friends of the Library.
Christopher Avis asked about the total number of employees as a result of the requested library budget. Ms. Mahoney confirmed the number to be 5 full-time staff; 8 part-time staff.
Mark Davini asked about whether a utilization study was being considered by the library. Kathy Mahoney responded that there have been such studies conducted in the past. Ms. Mahoney agreed that any strategic plan needs to look at the costs involved in accomplishing such a plan.
George Schmidt asked about any progress regarding conduction of an efficiency study, to determine the optimum use of the library, and the number of staff required to meet those needs. Ms. Mahoney stated that an efficiency study is estimated to cost approximately $10,000. Mr. Schmidt concluded that the general consensus seems to be that more library staff is needed. Mr. Schmidt thanked Ms. Mahoney for her participation in the meeting tonight.
- 7:15 PM - Scott McGee, Vice Chairman, School Committee
Scott McGee introduced himself to the Finance Committee. Mr. McGee stated that the School Committee voted to approve the $19,560,999 budget proposed by the Town Manager. Mr. McGee stated that the budget included $ 50,000 for a School Resources Officer. Mr. McGee stated that there is a drug problem in every school on the Cape, and his feeling is that the School Dept. needs to pay a good share of the cost to retain a School Resources Officer.
(New Business, cont’d)
George Schmidt clarified that the Superintendent’s budget presented to the School Committee included an additional $148,000 over and above the Town Manager’s budget of $19,560,999. The request of the Superintendent for an additional $148,000 was voted down by the School Committee.
Mark Davini and Christopher Avis agreed that the School Committee should strive for a level funded budget, and not expect a 2% increase every year, and therefore did not agree with the Town Manager’s 2% increase in the School budget for 2014. The $300,000 surplus in funds returned from the School to the Town in May of 2012 is included in the Town Manger’s 2014 School budget, therefore negating the notion of a level funded budget.
Christopher Avis stated his opposition to raises in the teachers’ salaries, based on the economic climate, and the freeze on raises in municipalities across the state. Charles Gasior responded that the School Committee is moving in a direction they have never moved before. The Committee is going to be part of the team called the Town of Mashpee. They have made some great strides and commitments and this is not the time to say they are not doing their job. We have to pay to educate our kids, or else they are going off to other schools.
Mark Davini agreed that the School Committee has come a long way in falling into line with the town’s budget requests; this year they have used the Munis system; they have approved the Town Manager’s budget request; next year the School Committee will be held to the requirement for a level funded budget.
Scott McGee summarized his remarks by saying that the new School Superintendent needs to figure out how to keep our students in the Mashpee Schools. Presently, there are 200 students leaving Mashpee daily by bus to attend other schools. Scott felt that the increase suggested by the Town Manager was ‘generous’ and that the recommended budget would cover all contingencies including any possible increase in salaries that might be negotiated.
David Bloomfield, School Committee member, introduced himself to the Board, and commented on the student move from the Mashpee public schools. He commented that 80% of our school budget is in salaries. Sturgis does not have unions, and does not have certification requirements.
- Discussion/Vote on Town Manager’s Recommended Budget
- Board of Selectmen/Office Of Town Manager: Approved 7-0.
- Maintenance of Public Properties: Approved 7-0.
- Building Inspections: Approved 6-1 (Chris Avis voted no)
- Police Department: Approved 6-1 (Chris Avis voted no)
- Fire Department: Approved 6-1 (Chris Avis voted no)
- School Dept.: Approved 4-3 (Chris Avis, Mark Davini, George Schmidt voted no)
- Library: Approved 5-2 (Chris Avis, Mark Davini voted no)
Charles Gasior stated that requests for explanations of negative votes by the Finance Committee members will be honored at the Town Meeting.
ADDITIONAL TOPICS
Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles
The committee members voted as follows on recommendation of the nine (9) Special Town Meeting warrant articles:
(Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles, cont’d)
Article 1. Approved 7-0.
Article 2. Approved 7-0.
Article 3. Approved 7-0.
Article 4. Approved 7-0.
Article 5. Approved 7-0.
Article 6. Approved 7-0.
Mark Davini made a motion to place a hold on the vote to recommend Article 7. Oskar Klenert seconded the motion. The committee voted 6-1 to approve the motion. (Theresa Cook voted no).
Article 7. HOLD 6-1
Article 8. Approved 7-0.
Article 9. Approved 7-0.
NEXT MEETINGS
The next two meeting dates have been scheduled as follows:
Monday, March 18, 2013: Joint Finance Committee/Board of Selectmen - 6:30 PM.
Thursday, March 21, 2013: Finance Committee Public Hearing – 6:30 PM
ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Ina G. Schlobohm
Recording Secretary
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