Present: Peter Fimognari, Tina Augustin, Chris Carlin, John Goodrich, Joel Keller, Bob Margerison, Maureen O’Sullivan, Christine Edwards, Ann Lee (Administrative Assistant)
Also Present: Gretchen Neggers (Town Administrator), Deb Mahar (Town Accountant), Marty Harris (Fire Chief), Paul Lovell (Cemetery), Bob Pease (Cemetery Commission), Al Wilcox (Cemetery Commission)
Absent: Jim Pennington, Pete Ross
The meeting was convened at 6:30 p.m.
A motion was made to accept the minutes of the 4-3-06 meeting, as written, and seconded. Ms. Mahar noted “Collector’s Expense” should read “Town Clerk Expense”. It was SO VOTED, unanimously, to accept the minutes with the correction.
A motion was made to accept the minutes of the 4-10-06 meeting, as written. It was seconded and SO VOTED, unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE
An e-mail from Dr. Frank Ameruoso, Interim Superintendent, MPS, was sent to Pete Fimognari. The School department has successfully absorbed the Special Education deficit and “will not be requesting additional funds from the Town of Monson.”
OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS
FY07 Budget discussion: Mr. Fimognari clarified that the health insurance figure is decreased, while pension and retirement figures are increased. Ms. Mahar explained the erroneously reported $121,000 has to be kept in the pension figure and it has to be appropriated.
Mr. Fimognari mentioned the House begins budget debates today. Ms. Mahar added the Senate begins their budget debate in May.
Mr. Fimognari questioned the Free Cash needed for FY07 and the amount that will be left. Ms. Mahar explained there will be approximately $408,000 left after the STM, approximately $292,000 used at the ATM, and approximately $161,000 left after the ATM. Mr. Goodrich added that after backing out the accounting error of approximately $121,000, Free Cash needed for the FY07 budget is approximately $171,000.
Department Head Meeting: The Finance Committee met with Department Heads at 7 P.M. in the Selectmen’s office.
Mr. Fimognari thanked everyone for attending. He stated the number FinCom is using as its best estimate of available money to spend is from the House, which just began debates. He explained that between the STM and ATM, almost 75% of the available Free Cash will be used. Even after approximately $121,000 for retirement is returned, over 50% of the available Free Cash will be used.
Ms. Bodwell thanked FinCom because the committee has always worked with the Library. She stated that only the MAR was asked for in the FY07 budget. She noted there seems to be extra money allocated to other areas in the overall budget, and expressed concern that the library presented a budget with a $10,000 deficit. The library board agreed to cover that deficit. Ms. Bodwell added the library’s FY07 budget is an increase of 1.8%, which doesn’t even cover salary increases. Mr. Fimognari noted the library budget was increased greatly a few years prior. Ms. Bodwell explained the library has not requested anything above the MAR number for six years, and again expressed her concern, explaining the library can not continue to function at the MAR level. Mr. Fimognari explained the FY07 increases
are in departments that can no longer function without those increases.
Mr. Morrell thanked FinCom for recognizing the 31% increase in asphalt costs over the last three years, and the increase in the budget to cover those costs. He explained the Highway Administration account Storm Water line item has been budgeted for $2,500. This year, because mapping needs to be done, an increase to $4,500 is needed. Mr. Goodrich asked if the increase is to specifically cover mapping, and if a line item should be created, so any future reduction, when such work is not required, does not look like a budget cut. Mr. Morrell explained mandated outfalls have to be examined as well. Ms. Mahar explained there is a storm water line in the budget. She added Mr. Morrel’s department needs computer services at a cost of $720, and that number also needs to be added to the budget. Mr.
Morrell asked if FinCom approved truck lease purchases. Ms. Mahar explained the 930 line was increased to $37,000 to cover the lease purchase.
Mr. Goodrich thanked the Department Heads for their work. He noted FinCom met with many Department Heads, some more than once. He acknowledged “things have been tough,” adding that hopefully the outlook is better. Mr. Goodrich noted the electronic format of submitted budgets made a positive difference for FinCom, as he hoped it did for departments.
Ms. Neggers thanked FinCom for their hours and patience. She stated Monson is still in an uncertain financial position, and must remain diligent and carefully oversee its financial health.
Ms. Neggers noted the addition of two EMT’s, critical services for the town, and credited the Fire Department for its operations and collection practices. She cited the restructuring of the financial departments and stressed its importance in the management of the town’s dollars. These steps demonstrate Monson’s steps forward.
Selectman Norbut thanked FinCom on behalf of the Board of Selectmen. She thanked Ms. Neggers and Ms. Mahar for their leadership in the budget process. She acknowledged the School Department coming forward with a balanced budget.
Mr. Margerison stated he is pleased to see the town leadership going into the Annual Meeting as a united group. He believes this a very positive attitude for the town to see.
The next scheduled meeting of the Finance Committee is May 1, 2006 at 6:30.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann M. Lee, Administrative Assistant to the Finance Committee
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