MONSON FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 7, 2011
Present: Gerry Brayton, Jim Pennington, Bob Margerison, Maureen O’Sullivan,
Christine Edwards, William Dominguez,
Absent: Peter Fimognari, Bob Finnegan, Brenda Payette (Administrative Assistant)
The meeting was convened at 6:57pm
Vote was unanimous for the 150,000 to deficit spend snow and ice.
3/16/2011 @ 7pm is Pathfinders budget presentation for anyone who would like to attend.
OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS:
- All programs have been suspended at the pool, the cost to operate the pool is ~ $75,000 annually.
- Invite the Park and Recreation Department to the next meeting to review and answer questions concerning the budget.
- Ask the Park and Recreation Department to determine a cost for the “Recreation part of the Department” to present to the Finance Committee.
- Send a request to the school budget committee to come in and answer questions concerning the school budget.
BUDGET DISCUSSION:
Budget:
Transportation budget reviewed
Buses last longest but rust out and fail inspections
We use 13,000 gallons of fuel vs the school who uses ~ 25,000 gallons
The transportation department locks the rates but the town administrator does not.
Governor to cut ~ $80,000 from lottery money to the town
The town is approximately $100,000 - $180,000 in the hole based on current projections.
2/23/11 – scheduled meeting by the school budget committee to meet and present the school budget to the school committee.
Health care costs:
Collective bargaining for Healthcare is under possible law changes by the governor and he hopes to have this resolved by June 30, 2011.
We are spending approximately $50,000 a week on snow removal if this continues the town will be in serious trouble as this is next year’s money that is being spent.
Mr. Dominguez spoke about what needs to happen in order for the town to run the town on the monies available, ex: the parks and rec department may need to be shut down.
Town administrator made the comment that the town is looking at going to a DPW and has been for the last several years. FinCom and Board of Selectmen need to push for this change.
Town Administrator has a powerpoint presentation she is willing to share that addressed the “Maintenance Program”
Discussions concerning the solar panel project that was voted on at the annual town meeting, status update and also, the possibility of solar panels for the high school and middle school.
Discussions on what is being done to get new businesses into town and how Monson is facing Casino blight from the possibility of a casino coming to Palmer and potential traffic issues.
The next scheduled meeting of the Finance Committee is:
Monday, February 28, 2010
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35pm
Meeting Minutes taken by Ms. Christine Edwards, Finance Committee member in Brenda Payette’s absence.
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