Present: Peter Fimognari, Tina Augustin, Chris Carlin, Christine Edwards, John Goodrich, Joel Keller, Bob Margerison, Maureen O’Sullivan, Pete Ross, Ann Lee (FinCom Admin. Asst.)
Also Present: Deb Mahar (Town Accountant), Ed Harrison (Selectman), Dorothy Jenkins (Town Collector)
Absent: Paul Desmond
The meeting was convened at 6:30 p.m.
A motion was made, and seconded, to accept the minutes of the 12-5-05 minutes as written. Mr. Goodrich mentioned the second to last sentence on page 1 needs to have added after “Mr. Ross told”, “the committee that he” in order for it to make sense. A motion was made to accept the minutes with the changes. It was seconded and SO VOTED, with Mrs. O’Sullivan abstaining.
CORRESPONDENCE
The MMA Annual Meeting and Trade Show is January 13 to 14 in Boston. Ms. Neggers plans to attend.
The January issue of the Beacon was received. It is on file.
A memo from Deborah Mahar, Town Accountant, was received. The memo explains the FY07 budget process directions.
The Expenditure Ledger Variance report for end date 11/30/05 was received.
ealth HH
OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS
Highway Department Snow and Ice Removal: The Snow and Ice Removal account needs $100,000 additional funds. There is approximately $25,000 left in the account after bills for last week’s storm are paid. Mr. Carlin questioned if there are measures FinCom should consider that would decrease the amount of deficit spending by increasing the Snow and Ice Removal budget, possibly even a long term plan that would lessen the impact on the following year’s budget. Mr. Goodrich noted that Mr. Morrell estimated $60,000 is spent on salt alone. He agreed with Mr. Carlin, adding that a $100,000 budget would be reasonable, yet cautioning that if the budget amount were increased, that same increased amount would have to be appropriated each year thereafter. Mr. Fimognari questioned if any excess would revert
to the General Fund. Ms. Mahar said it would. Mr. Carlin noted that increasing the Snow and Ice Removal account would be an action in line with the overall desire to budget more closely to actual departmental needs. Ms. Neggers believes Mr. Morrell would be agreeable to a Snow and Ice Removal budget increase. She added the time to do it would be when revenue is greater than expenditures, in order to capture some of that excess income and lessen the impact on the budget. FinCom members are unanimously in favor of such an action.
Review of the FY06 Budget: Mr. Fimognari asked if there are any expected significant changes in the FY07 budget. Ms. Neggers explained some numbers are not yet available, such as insurance and pension. The FY07 budget has not yet been assembled.
FY07 Budget Process: Mr. Fimognari asked if FinCom is interested in scheduling meetings with Department Heads to discuss budgets. Mr. Goodrich stated he would never close the door on discussion, but until FinCom sees all budgets, there is no reason to plan meetings. Mr. Ross mentioned that as all budgets are due to Ms. Mahar by 1-20-06 and FinCom by 1-27-06, the committee would have them by the February meeting. The committee agreed all budgets will be e-mailed to Ms. Lee, who will distribute them via one e-mail to the committee. Mr. Keller noted that meeting with Department Heads has merit for discussing capital requirements and priorities. Ms. Neggers mentioned that some Department Heads may wish to meet with FinCom in an educational context, and would appreciate the opportunity to discuss their
departments’ changing roles. Ms. Edwards suggested sending an e-mail explaining FinCom’s availability for discussions. Mr. Carlin suggested asking the Department Heads for an agenda for their meeting.
Mr. Goodrich motioned to e-mail Department Heads an invitation to speak with FinCom. It was recommended the word “agenda” not be used. Ms. Lee will send a draft to the committee for approval, then the memo to all Department Heads.
Meeting Schedule: FinCom will meet on 1-30. Meetings with Department Heads will be scheduled 2-6, 2-13, and 2-27.
Selectmen’s Meeting: Ms. Neggers reminded FinCom there is a Selectmen’s meeting 1-11-06 at 7:00 p.m. The financial components of the town will present a potential re-structure of departments. The July 2006 retirement of Betty Sloope, Town Treasurer, presents this opportunity.
The next scheduled meeting of the Finance Committee will be January 30, 2005 at 6:30.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann M. Lee, Administrative Assistant to the Finance Committee
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