Warrant Committee January 24, 2011
Eighteenth Meeting
Present: E Innes, M Mitchell, T Hurley, J Powers, J Wilson, D Turner, C Cahill,
M Zullas, J Folcarelli, J Ahonen, C Tougias
Absent: K Chase, H Bell, L Walker, R Pathak
Reserve Fund TransferBalance: $291,015
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM in the Carol Blute Conference Room.
On a motion made by Member Hurley and seconded by Member Turner, the Warrant Committee voted 9-0-2 to approve the minutes of 1/19 as amended.
The Chairman recognized Joe Lynch, Director of the DPW who returned to discuss his originally submitted budget. His budget has been revised but the Warrant Committee has yet to receive it.
Among areas he covered was overtime which is used for special projects, and specifically discussed a 2 1/2M special project which is scheduled to be rolled out shortly.Mr Lynch discussed in detail his current staffing and his 2012 planning. Mr Lynch also outlined areas where, if additional funds were available, he would look to add services. Present staff is at 36; 8 admiistrators and 28 laborers. There are presently 9 labor vacancies 3 of which are hard to fill because they are on the lower spectrum of pay. Mr. Lynch has sent them out to the Board of Civil Service.
Mr. Lynch also then provided the committee an update on the snow and ice budget position. discussed developing a life cycle on equipment by developing a master plan. We are right at the medium on snow removal. It costs $90,000 to fill salt barn and we are right at the medium on snow removal as of this time.
Regarding capital needs, the DPW Building is more than 40+ years old and needs an assessment. Other considerations include a new heating system. Push walls are subject to damage by heavy equipment use. The Chairman thanked Mr. Lynch for his budget explanations.
The Chairman recognized Member Ahonen, as chair of the Subcommittee for the Library. Member Ahonen took the committee through the Library budget and reviewed questions sent to the Library board. The Library Service Budget is level funded. Some of the improvements requested are is opening the Library 10 more days a year. Step increases are necessary because three employees took over positions from more senior employees resulting in a net decrease for steps.
Fuel costs actual FY10 were higher than budgeted, but paid through Library Rental. Electricity costs are expected to be level usage, with a 2.0% allowance for inflation. New equipment requires restoration of $1,000 in the new equipment budget. Not included nor requested or the level service for FY13.
Municipal appropriation requirement as a target for 2012 on a 3 yr average at 102.5% is $1,002,476 with revolving accounts at $75,000 for a total of $1,077,476.
The Trustees of the Library and Mr. McNulty will be invited to appear before the Warrant Committee shortly.
The Chairman thanked the subcommittee for their review.
The Chairman then updated the committee on the latest position on the State budget in advance of the release of the Governor’s budget. discussed the next proposed budget cut which is a 7% cut on non-chapter 70 money. The Warrant Committee is holding back at 10% as a more realistic picture.
The Chair noted that he is meeting with the Chair of the Board of Selectmen and the Town Administrator prior to the next meeting to discuss the Financial Policies and the Reserve Fund. The Town Administrator will be in attendance at the next meeting to answer questions from the committee on the Law Budget and other matters.
With another There is another projected snow storm expected on our scheduled meeting night of 1/26/11, alternative arrangements were made to meet on either 1/27/2011 or 1/28/2011 in the . Should that happen the Carol Blute Conference Room has been reserved for either Thursday or Friday if required.
Mr. Kevin Mearn, Town Administrator, will meet with the Warrant Committee this week to discuss
Reserve Fund Transfers.
Reserve Fund Balance: $291,015
Respectfully submitted,
Helen M. Kiddy
January 25, 2011
| 
