FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 9, 2009
Present: Gerry Brayton, Peter Fimognari, Bob Finnegan, Jim Pennington, Maureen O'Sullivan, Christine Edwards arrived at 7:25pm, Brenda Payette (Administrative Assistant)
Absent: Bob Margerison
Also Present: Deb Mahar (Finance Director), Gretchen Neggers (Town Administrator), Joan Simmons (Council on Aging), Leslie Duthie (Community Preservation Committee), Craig Sweitzer (Planning Board), Michael Kane (School Committee), Dr. Gerald Paist (Director of Pathfinder)
The meeting was convened at 6:50pm
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Spreadsheet of 2010 proposed budget cuts recommended by the Board of Selectmen to FinCom. Ms. Neggers reviewed the list with FinCom. Ms. O’Sullivan asked Ms. Neggers if the Department Heads were also aware of this spreadsheet. Ms. Neggers said yes they were. Joan Simmons from the Council on Aging said they had no representation at this meeting. She realizes that other departments are seeing cuts as well; however this was a lot of money cut from the Council on Aging. Ms. Neggers understands and acknowledges her concerns. She noted that the Parks and Recreation did have representation at the meeting and they also received cuts to their budget.
- Summary of the Conflict of Interest Law for Municipal Employees from the Monson Town Clerk.
- Ms. Payette will make copies for Ms. Edwards and Mr. Margerison to complete.
- Copy of a letter from Dr. Gerald Paist, Superintendent/Director of Pathfinder Regional that he received from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regarding a simulation showing how Chapter 70 would have worked in FY10 if Oakham had been a member of Pathfinder.
MEETINGS ATTENDED BY MEMBERS:
None
OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS:
7:00pm - Discussion with Leslie Duthie from the Community Preservation Committee regarding articles on the Special Town Warrant:
Ms. Duthie went through the articles and explained each one in detail. She said they have $461,452.00 in funds. The Warrant Articles total $341,871.00; therefore they are not using all the money in the fund.
Discussion on Article 4: to replace the steeple and repair the tower on the Monson-Glendale United Methodist Church.
Mr. Finnegan questioned using state money for Church use.
Mr. Brayton remarked that it is going to be difficult to recommend to the town to spend this money with all the cuts being made to the town. Mr. Finnegan agreed. Mr. Pennington said this article is within the committee’s guidelines.
Mr. Fimognari asked if it was wise to spend 75% of their budget. Ms. Duthie said they had very little applications last year; they only spent $100,000.00 last year. She said they received many more applications this year and they are really trying to spread the money evenly.
7:45pm - Discussion with Craig Sweitzer from the Planning Board regarding Article 24 on the Special Town Warrant:
To transfer $15,000.00 from the Stabilization Fund to the Planning Board Expense Account.
This is for the development at Quabog Heights. This money will be used for engineering fees to look at the flooding problem. The Planning Board is holding a $150,000.00 Performance Bond from the Developer but this takes time to get paid from.
They will return the $15,000.00 if and when funds are received.
8:00pm - Discussion with Dr. Gerald Paist, Director of Pathfinder regarding Article 23 on the Special Town Warrant:
The Admission of Oakham to Pathfinder.
- Dr. Paist explained the article and passed out a letter he received from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regarding a simulation showing how Chapter 70 would have worked in FY10 if Oakham had been a member of Pathfinder.
- He said the impact is minimal with the admission of Oakham. He said the town of Oakham has voted to join Pathfinder.
- Mr. Brayton asked as new communities come to join Pathfinder are they required to pay a fee like those that started Pathfinder. Dr. Paist said no. He said they are looking for enrollment and for the towns to share the bills now that the school is paid for. He said that towns just would not join Pathfinder if they had to pay a fee.
Finance Committee members voted on the remainder of the Special Town Warrants as follows:
Article 1 |
SO VOTED |
Article 2 |
SO VOTED |
Article 3 |
SO VOTED |
Article 4 |
Defer to Community Preservation Committee |
Article 5 |
SO VOTED |
Article 6 |
SO VOTED |
Article 7 |
SO VOTED |
Article 8 |
SO VOTED |
Article 9 |
SO VOTED |
Article 10 |
SO VOTED |
Article 14 |
SO VOTED |
Article 18 |
SO VOTED |
Article 23 |
SO VOTED |
Article 24 |
Motion to passover article-2nd-Voted No to passover article |
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Motion to transfer $15,000 from Stabilization Fund-2nd—SO VOTED |
The next scheduled meeting of the Finance Committee is:
Monday, November 16, 2009 at 6:30pm at Granite Valley Middle School with the Town Meeting to follow at 7pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda I. Payette
Administrative Assistant to the Finance Committee
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