Town of Mashpee
16 Great Neck Road N.
Mashpee, Massachusetts 02649
FINANCE COMMITTEE – PUBLIC SESSION
Mashpee Town Hall – Ockway Bay Meeting Room 2
Thursday, November 12, 2015 – 6:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER
PUBLIC COMMENT
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
NEW BUSINESS
- Liaison Assignments
- Board of Selectmen Report – Andrew Gottlieb
ADDITIONAL TOPICS
- This space is reserved for topics that the Chairman could not reasonably anticipate would be discussed.
UPCOMING FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS
- Confirmation of Meeting Dates
ADJOURNMENT
Finance Committee
Minutes
November 12, 2015
Present: Chris Avis, David DelPonte, Tom Murphy, Theresa Cook, Oskar Klenert
Absent: Mike Richardson
Attendees: Andrew Gottlieb, Selectman representative
Rodney Collins, Town Manager
Charles Gasior, former member of the Finance Committee
Meeting Called to Order by Chairman Avis at 6:30 p.m.
Mashpee Town Hall, Ockway Bay Meeting Room
Public Comment:
Honorable members of the Mashpee Finance Committee recognized Charles Gasior for his dedicated service to the Town of Mashpee. Mr. Gasior volunteered his time and
service as a member of the Finance Committee for the past ten years. A plaque was presented to Mr. Gasior acknowledging his contributions to the Town of Mashpee.
Rodney Collins, Town Manager indicated the Town previously advertised for an at-large member to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Committee. Mr. Gasior was recruited for the position, and has agreed to step forward to offer his continued service to the Town of Mashpee. Mr. Gasior previously served on the CIP while representing the Finance Committee. His knowledge and experience will be a tremendous asset to the CIP. Town Manager Collins expressed gratitude to Mr. Gasior and saluted him publicly for the time he has served and for the time to be served on behalf of the Town of Mashpee.
Currently, there is (1) vacancy existing on the Finance Committee.
MINUTES
Monday, October 19, 2015:
Motion made by Mrs. Cook to approve the minutes of Monday, October 19, 2015 as presented.
Motion seconded by Mr. Murphy.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0-1.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Avis, abstained Mr. DelPonte, yes
Mr. Murphy, yes Mr. Klenert, yes
Mrs. Cook, yes Opposed, none
Finance Committee
Minutes
November 12, 2015
NEW BUSINESS
MMA Annual Meeting and Trade Show – January:
The Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) annual meeting is scheduled to be held in Boston on January 22nd and 23rd at the Hynes Convention Center. Mrs. Cook expressed an interest in attending the governmental forum again this year.
Mashpee Public Library Fundraiser:
The annual Mashpee Public Library fundraiser entitled Dining for Books is ongoing at participating restaurants through November 13, 2015. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Mashpee Public Library.
Approval of Monthly Appropriation Report – FY2016:
Members of the Finance Committee reviewed the Monthly Appropriation Report for September, 2015. The report is reflective of expenditures through the process of
warrants including the fuel depot and vehicle maintenance expenses for departments using those services through September 30, 2015.
The Finance Committee Reserve Fund has not been utilized and maintains a balance of $100,000. Of the $20,000 appropriation for Finance Committee expenses, the sum of $204 has been expended to date, leaving an available budget of $19,796.
For the printing of the warrant, $7,909.74 has been expended to J & R Graphics. The expenditure is dated October 30, 2015, and should be reflected in the October Monthly Appropriation Report.
Under the category Town Audit, the $42,000 appropriation has an encumbered balance of $22,000 as $20,000 has been expended in year-to-date for auditing services. All funding in this category is therefore 100% expended.
As of September 30, 2015 the Finance Committee has expended 32.3% of the budget appropriation. The balance is $119,796.
It was suggested the Finance Committee received a breakdown of all expenditures for additional review.
Finance Committee
Minutes
November 12, 2015
Liaison Assignments:
The following Liaison Assignments were delegated, and are subject to modification;
Chris Avis David DelPonte Tom Murphy
Town Clerk Police Schools
IT CPC Waterways
Cemetery Human Services
Selectmen Building
Fire
Oskar Kenert Theresa Cook Mike Richardson
DPW Recreation Planning
Board of Health Accounting Library
Sewer CIP Conservation
Assessing Human Resources
New Member
Treasurer/Tax Collector
Council on Aging
Finance Committee
Minutes
November 12, 2015
Liaison Assignments:
The following Liaison Assignments with their Alternates were considered;
Department: Liaison: Alternate:
Accounting Terrie Cook David DelPonte
Assessing Terrie Cook New Member
Board of Health Oskar Klenert New Member
Building David DelPonte Tom Murphy
Cemetery Chris Avis Mike Richardson
CIP Terrie Cook
Conservation Mike Richardson Oskar Klenert
Council on Aging New Member David DelPonte
CPC David DelPonte Tom Murphy
DPW Oskar Klenert Chris Avis
Fire David DelPonte Terrie Cook
Police David DelPonte Oskar Klenert
Human Resources Mike Richardson Chris Avis
Human Services David DelPonte Tom Murphy
IT Chris Avis David DelPonte
Library Mike Richardson Terrie Cook
Planning Mike Richardson Oskar Klenert
Recreation Terrie Cook Tom Murphy
Selectmen Chris Avis Terrie Cook
Sewer Commission Oskar Klenert Terrie Cook
Schools Tom Murphy Mike Richardson
Town Clerk Chris Avis Tom Murphy
Treasurer/Tax New Member Terrie Cook
Waterways Tom Murphy Chris Avis
Finance Committee
Minutes
November 12, 2015
NEW BUSINESS:
Board of Selectman Report – Andrew Gottlieb:
Board of Selectmen member Andrew Gottlieb updated the Finance Committee on the following matters under consideration by the Board of Selectmen;
At their last meeting, the Board of Selectmen charted a different course with respect to snow plowing. The Selectmen took action and raised the rates for private contractors, and in terms of the snow removal fleet, it was agreed the vehicles planned for snow removal was too light, as the magnitude of storms have increased. With the objective to secure an improved fleet of larger vehicles for local roads and to retain contractors, the contractor rate rose across the board. It was noted the increase is comparable to the Mass DOT. Selectman Gottlieb explained the objective was to conform to the Town Manager’s request to ensure that Mashpee does the job in terms of snow removal and to secure a better fleet for local roads.
The Board of Selectmen is expected to finalize the Snow Removal Policy at their November 16th meeting. In terms of safety, the Town Manager recommended that all roads both public and private be plowed properly. The alteration of the No Plow List has prompted a change to the Snow Removal Policy. Mr. Gottlieb indicated that several sections within the policy are anticipated to be amended. The result will be similar to the Snow and Ice Operational Plan instituted by the Town of Barnstable. In Barnstable, private roads other than those listed on the “do not maintain list” receive snow and ice removal. Selectman Gottlieb indicated the Town would be plowing private roads in equivalent condition to a publicly owned road in the same condition. This is a
work in progress, and hopefully the Town will receive less-complaints and provide better coverage to Town roads for safety purposes.
With regards to the additional plowing of private roads, Mr. Avis requested a cost estimate for the added snow and ice removal. It was noted the Town has 55 miles of private roads. In accordance with policy, the Town generally does not plow roads until 3” of snow has fallen.
It was noted that cold patch would be available at the DPW if someone wants to reinforce their road. Roads in disrepair will most likely percolate additional road takings.
Concern was voiced with respect to the liability of plowing private roads. It was agreed the concern should be addressed by the individual to the Board of Selectmen.
Finance Committee
Minutes
November 12, 2015
NEW BUSINESS:
Board of Selectman Report – Andrew Gottlieb: (continued)
Discussion continued with respect to wastewater issues. Appreciation was given to those who supported the wastewater warrant articles approved at Town Meeting last month.
It was reported the Cape Cod Commission held a hearing on the Mashpee Comprehensive Nitrogen and Wastewater Management Plan (CNWMP) on November 10, 2015. A decision is anticipated to be determined in early December.
Recent changes to the Clean Water Act will to provide towns with the ability to obtain a watershed permit. Mashpee is expected to join with neighborhood communities for the joint management of the shared watersheds. Selectman Gottlieb explained the process would recognize the Town of Mashpee under the watershed permit for soft solution contributions such as the institution of the fertilizer bylaw and the shellfish mitigation program. These initiatives would grant credit to Mashpee it terms of targeting for nitrogen loading. If the TMDL target is fulfilled, the Town of Mashpee would be protected from further enforcement from the state. If a neighboring town does not do their share of compliance, the loading requirement per town is not shifted. Conformity would also provide
protection from a third party if litigation was to arise.
The Town of Mashpee is expected to obtain the first state-issued watershed permit. Plans are ongoing to begin the initial focus in Popponesset in conjunction with the Towns of Barnstable and Sandwich. The Popponesset approach will become a template for the state in which other towns would follow.
In discussing the soft solution utilizing shellfish to remove the nitrogen from the waterways, the Town’s investment in shellfishing could result in a TMDL compliance of nitrogen reduction, and realize a cost benefit savings of $1,500,000 with full implementation of the shellfish aquaculture program. Selectman Gottlieb indicated that in four of six watershed areas reductions can be met with shellfishing. This includes Jehu, Hamblin, Little and Great Ponds. It is likely there will be increased spawning rates as water quality is improved. Selectman Gottlieb explained this is an ongoing investment for the Town of Mashpee.
Finance Committee
Minutes
November 12, 2015
NEW BUSINESS:
Board of Selectman Report – Andrew Gottlieb: (continued)
Within the next five years, Mashpee is expected to install pipeline to tie into the Mashpee Commons and Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council treatment facilities.
In addition, the Town will be considering the design and construction of a publicly owned wastewater treatment facility at the landfill. If the shellfish aquaculture plan does better than expected, the size of the treatment center could be reduced. In the area of Quinaquisset and Asher’s Path, a sewer system is planned. Financing a public treatment facility within the next five years is currently estimated at $46 million.
An EPA grant has been secured to study the use of permeable reactive barriers (PRB’s) which may result in the installation of the barriers at specific site locations. This program if attained would assist in the removal some of the nitrogen entering the embayment’s.
It was noted there is an emerging data base regarding the significance of sediments from the shellfish to be removed, which may increase the base estimates. A study was funded by a vote of the October Town Meeting to quantify the additional nitrogen reductions that occur in sediments beneath healthy shellfish populations.
With the need to harvest shellfish, a double wide ramp is proposed at the Great River boat ramp. The funding is presently under consideration by the Community Preservation Committee. A straw vote was taken at the last CPC meeting in unanimous support of the double ramp proposal to bring forward to the May 2016 Special Town Meeting. It was noted that increase capacity will benefit family recreation and shellfishing as well.
With regards to wastewater, Selectman Gottlieb indicated the state has made regulatory changes with respect to finances. There are increases in the potential for subsidiary, for 0% loan provisions that have been extended to 2069, and there is a provision for principal forgiveness for up to 25% of the price of a loan. It was noted Mashpee is in line and would qualify for this type of financing.
Finance Committee
Minutes
November 12, 2015
NEW BUSINESS:
Board of Selectman Report – Andrew Gottlieb: (continued)
Additionally, the Tribal Council has secured grant funding to construct four miles of oyster reefs. The Tribe has been working in cooperation with the Shellfish Constable on this endeavor. This project will offset what the Town would be required to do in terms of nitrogen remediation.
With the volume of oysters projected for harvest, it was recommended the potential
revenue stream be strongly considered. It was agreed there are significant ancillary benefits for the Town of Mashpee that comes with job creation and harvest. When finding the balance, the fee structure would most likely be revisited. Selectman Gottlieb indicated in closing the major economic benefit to the Town is cost avoidance.
Confirmation of Meeting Dates: 2015 – 2016:
The Finance Committee outlined the calendar of meeting dates for the remainder of the calendar year in 2015 and for 2016. The Finance Committee regularly meets on the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. with the exception of additional meeting required during budgetary review. The Finance Committee also meets jointly with the Board of Selectmen on two Monday’s prior to Town Meeting for the purpose of reviewing the Town Meeting Warrant, and other matters that may arise.
The following meeting calendar was outlined by the Finance Committee;
Thursday, December 17, 2015 – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 21, 2016 – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 4 & 18, 2016 – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 3 & 17, 2016 – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 7 & 21, 2016 – 6:30 p.m.
Monday, May 2, 2016 – Joint Meeting w/BOS 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 16, 2016 – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 21, 2016 – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 18, 2016 – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 8 & 22, 2016 – 6:30 p.m.
Monday, October 17, 2016 – Joint Meeting w/BOS 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 17, 2016 – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 15, 2016 – 6:30 p.m.
Finance Committee
Minutes
November 12, 2015
Adjournment:
Motion made by Mr. Murphy to adjourn at 8:07 p.m.
Motion seconded by Mrs. Cook.
VOTE: Unanimous. 5-0.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Avis, yes Mr. DelPonte, yes
Mr. Murphy, yes Mr. Klenert, yes
Mrs. Cook, yes Opposed, none
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen M. Soares
Finance Committee Secretary
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