Present: Peter Fimognari, Tina Augustin, Chris Carlin, Paul Desmond, Christine Edwards, John Goodrich, Joel Keller, Bob Margerison, Maureen O’Sullivan, Jim Pennington, Pete Ross, Ann Lee (FinCom Admin. Asst.)
Also Present: Deb Mahar (Town Accountant)
Absent: n/a
The meeting was convened at 6:30 p.m.
A motion was made to accept the minutes of the 7-11-05 meeting as written. It was seconded and SO VOTED.
CORRESPONDENCE
It was once again asked if any committee member would be able to attend the Association of Town Finance Committees’ 2005 Annual Meeting. No one is attending.
A letter from the Massachusetts Municipal Association, dated October 13, 2005, was received, announcing the Fall 2005 series of Regional Update Meetings. Ms. O’Sullivan will attend the November 16th meeting.
A memo from Dr. Gerald Paist, Superintendent, Pathfinder Regional, detailing the comparison of town enrollment, was received. The number of Monson students enrolled as of October 1, 2005 is 96, down from 106 students on October 1, 2004. This information is one of the “factors utilized in computing assessments for FY07.”
An e-mail sent by Hope Bodwell, Director, Monson Free Library, to Ann Lee, Finance Committee Administrative Assistant, was shared. Ms. Bodwell asked that the agendas for upcoming meetings be sent to department heads. Mr. Goodrich motioned to e-mail agendas for upcoming meetings to department heads, it was seconded and SO VOTED.
A copy of a letter from Deb Mahar, Town Accountant, to the Board of Assessors was received. There is a $.50 appropriation deficit in the Forest Fire Truck Debt Interest account.
The Expenditure Ledger Variance for the Finance Committee ending September 30, 2005, was received.
The Association of Town Finance Committees October 2005 Newsletter was received. It is on file.
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OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS
STM meeting Warrant: Ms. Mahar explained the current situation regarding storm damage costs. She received a letter from the Department of Revenue on October 21, 2005. Monson will not be allowed to set its tax rate until there is an article in place detailing how the town will pay storm damage costs.
The town’s lawyers are determining if the town needs to 1) cancel the November 7 STM and hold one meeting on November 21, or 2) postpone the November 7 meeting and hold two STMs on November 21.
Mr. Goodrich asked if an estimate for storm damage is known. Ms. Mahar explained the current estimate is approximately $250,000. Mass Highway, FEMA and NEMA have visited Monson. Mr. Morrell is completing the necessary paperwork. The cost of repairs to Lakeshore Drive is supposedly being covered by Mass Highway.
There are two options available for paying storm damage costs. Monson can appropriate funds at the STM to pay bills. This could be done after the DOR requests the Director of Accounts to allow emergency spending. The second option is to get authorization to borrow the necessary funds. Late this afternoon in a DOR conference call, it was learned that if Monson is going to borrow the money, it has to be done before the tax rate can be set.
Mr. Fimognari asked what effect all this has on the warrant articles. Ms. Mahar said the warrant will remain, with a new article added.
In light of this development, the committee decided to vote all articles at its next meeting.
Commending Town Employees: Mr. Pennington motioned to write a letter commending the Highway, Fire, and Police departments, the BOS, and all town employees who assisted during the flooding. It was seconded and SO VOTED.
The next scheduled meeting of the Finance Committee will be November 14, 2005 at 6:30.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann M. Lee, Administrative Assistant to the Finance Committee
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