Present: Peter Fimognari, Tina Augustin, Paul Desmond, John Goodrich, Joel Keller, Bob Margerison, Maureen O’Sullivan, Pete Ross, Ann Lee (FinCom Admin. Asst.)
Also Present: Deb Mahar (Town Accountant), Donna Hall-Adams (School Committee)
Absent: Chris Carlin, Christine Edwards, Jim Pennington
The meeting was convened at 6:35 p.m.
A motion was made, and seconded, to accept the minutes of the 1-9-05 minutes as written. Ms. Mahar noted the word “encumbered” in the last paragraph of the first page should be changed to “appropriate.” Also, the heading date must be corrected to January 9. It was seconded and SO VOTED, unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE
A memo from the Water & Sewer Commission and Craig W. Jalbert, Superintendent, dated was January 18, 2006, was received. It details the FY07 budget, Water Management Plan and Sewer Management Plan.
Superintendent Search: Ms. Lee spoke with Pat Correira, Field Director, MASC, and is waiting for an e-mail from Ms. Correira detailing the search timeline. Ms. Lee reminded FinCom a representative is needed for the search committee. The committee discussed the benefits of having two representatives, one an alternative. Mr. Goodrich motioned that Mr. Ross represents FinCom if only one is allowed, and Mr. Keller is the alternate if two representatives are allowed. It was seconded and SO VOTED, with Mr. Margerison opposed.
OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS
Release of FY07 House Numbers: Ms. Mahar was asked about the newly released FY07 budget. She explained the belief is the Legislators will present a different budget. She received the Hampden Co. pension estimate today, which increased approximately $167,000 ($130,000 of which is the School’s portion), a 25% increase over last year. Ms. Neggers was told today that health insurance will increase approximately $87,000, or 9.5%.
Overall, this budget provides approximately $766,000 more available to spend in FY07, keeping in mind that approximately $706,000 will go toward an increased NSS.
February 6 Department Head Meetings: The Planning Board, Town Collector, Library, and Zoning Board of Appeals are scheduled.
Planning Board: An increase for legal ads is requested.
Collector: Increases for salary obligations, postal fees, and reinstatement of cuts to last year’s budget are requested.
The committee discussed the proposed financial restructuring of departments due to the Treasurer’s expected retirement. Ms. Mahar explained the particulars will be worked out by the May Town Meeting. The new structure will impact the budget.
Library: Mr. Fimognari mentioned that FinCom has not been told which towns, if any, had applied for and were successful in receiving a waiver. Mr. Goodrich noted there would have to be town wide reductions for the library to receive a waiver. He reminded the committee that a few years ago FinCom approved a significant increase for the library, making a commitment to the library at that time.
Zoning Board of Appeals: An increase for legal ads is requested.
Info-Share: Ms. Adams explained Info-Share meetings are currently scheduled on Monday. If FinCom plans to participate, she will try to arrange Tuesday meetings instead, beginning in February. Mr. Goodrich plans to attend. Ms. Adams will speak to Pat Correira, MASC, to determine the search committee timeline.
The next scheduled meeting of the Finance Committee will be February 6, 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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