MONSON FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 10, 2011
Present: Jim Pennington, Maureen O’Sullivan, William Dominguez, Bob Finnegan, Bob Margerison, Gerry Brayton, Brenda Payette (Administrative Assistant), Gretchen Neggers (Town Administrator), Deborah Mahar (Town Accountant), George Robichaud (Fire Chief), Kathleen Corish (Administrative Assistant-Fire Department)
Absent: Peter Fimognari, Christine Edwards
The meeting was convened at 6:50pm
CORRESPONDENCE:
- The Beacon –January 2011
- Expenditure Ledger printed 12/15/2010 from 7/1/2010 to 11/30/2010
Expenditure Ledger printed 1/4/2011 from 7/1/2010 to 12/31/2010
- Expenditure Ledger printed 1/4/2011 from 12/1/2010 to 12/31/2010
Association of Town Finance Committees December 2010 Newsletter
MEETINGS ATTENDED BY MEMBERS:
OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS:
Updates from Ms. Neggers:
They continue to work with the department budgets.
They had a meeting regarding Insurance Carriers
She is going to MMA meeting at the end of January.
7:05pm Discussion with Fire Chief Robichaud on department budget:
Chief Robichaud came to meeting to discuss his asking for an override at the Annual Town Election.
What they are looking for and how they got here:
- The override money will go into the Ambulance Operating Account but could be for a firefighter as well-dual role.
The FT people are at the station
The PT people are at home on call, ready if called in
- He received a Federal Grant for one position-this grant money will be ending in February. They should be ok until the end of FY-till June 30, 2011.
- The override amount he is asking for is $103,000.00
- FT position-50 hrs a week Firefighter/EMT, dual role Monday-Friday
- PT weekend coverage 2 people 10hrs each Saturday and Sunday-40 hrs.
- Payments for new ambulance $17,000.00
Why he is asking for an override now:
- The grants he received will be coming to end of term. He is rolling the override request into the April Town Meeting.
- Quarry Hill Construction override is going to be paid off.
- Chief said that with this override proposal, he is asking to maintain what he already has.
Mr. Margerison asked if the Chief had to go for an override if Quarry Hill School was already paid off. Ms. Neggers said yes, that Quarry Hill Construction was a debt exclusion override and they made the final payment this year.
Ms. Neggers said she will hold firm with her recommendation that this be the only override on the ballot.
Mr. Brayton asked if this was a new format for the Chief to bring this proposal to the Finance Committee before the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Mahar and Ms. Neggers both said that his was more of an informational purpose; first to present the override proposal and then to receive feedback from FinCom. They said that Chief Robichaud has had opportunities to meet with almost all Department Heads and he has received a lot of support.
Mr. Brayton made a motion for Finance Committee to support this override proposal from Chief Robichaud so he can present this proposal to the Board of Selectmen, motion was SECONDED and the following discussion took place:
- Mr. Pennington asked the Chief what his plans where if the override does not pass.
- Chief said that is very difficult to answer, not sure but it will be a struggle.
- Mr. Pennington said is he correct to assume if this does not pass, it will increase response time to calls and more use of outside towns.
- Chief said yes.
- Mr. Finnegan asked if they could raise the charges on the ambulance runs.
- Yes they could, but they only get reimbursed a set dollar amount from the insurance company. They can go after the person for the difference but that can become very complex.
- Mr. Pennington asked Ms. Neggers why other Department Heads aren’t proposing an override?
- She said this is something that can be brought forward to the community with support. Chief Robichaud said he has received support from Department Heads.
- Discussion ended and the voting took place to support this override proposal from Chief Robichaud so he can present this proposal to the Board of Selectmen, SO VOTED.
Chief Robichaud thanked the Finance Committee for their support.
Katie Krol, Director of the Monson Library introduced herself and stated her support for the Chief and the Fire Department override proposal to the Board of Selectmen.
Discussion ended at 8pm.
Budget discussions and updates:
Ms. Neggers said the Governor is filing his budget on January 26, 2011
Ms. Neggers updated FinCom on Fuel Budget-Purchase and Petroleum Budget:
Budget for current year: $137,000.00
Broken down: $96,966-gasoline, $37,125-diesel, $3,000-supplies-pump repairs
Requesting fuel budget amounts for FY2012.
Ms. Neggers gave update on Town Employees Contract singed % increase:
0% for 1st year (this year)
2% for current year
3% for next year
2% for year after
Agenda items for next meeting:
Continue to review department budgets received
The next scheduled meeting of the Finance Committee is:
Monday, January 24, 2011 at 6:45pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:36pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda I. Payette
Administrative Assistant to the Finance Committee
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