MONSON FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 6, 2012
Present: Peter Fimognari, Jim Pennington, Bob Margerison, Gerry Brayton, Bob Finnegan, Kurt Kaiser, William Dominguez, Brenda Payette (Administrative Assistant), Deborah Mahar (Town Accountant),
Absent: Christine Edwards, Maureen O’Sullivan
The meeting was convened at 7:00pm
Mr. Fimognari made a motion to accept the minutes of the 1/9/2012 meeting; Mr. Finnegan SECONDED and SO VOTED.
Mr. Fimognari made a motion to accept the minutes of the 1/23/2012 meeting; with the following change: To accept the minutes of the 11/14/2011 meeting
Mr. Brayton SECONDED and SO VOTED with Mr. Finnegan and Mr. Dominguez abstaining.
CORRESPONDENCE:
None.
OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS:
No meetings attended.
Ms. Nancy Morrell, Town Clerk:
The Finance Committee invited Ms. Morrell to come and talk about her department budget for FY13.
Ms. Morrell said she was only requesting the 2% salary increase.
The increase in office supplies line is due to the Presidential Election.
There will be three elections this year: September primary, November Presidential and April town elections.
Ms. Morrell said she will need to get handicap entrance signs done for the elections to put up at Quarry Hill School.
Mr. John Morrell, Highway Department:
The Finance Committee invited Mr. Morrell to come and talk about his department budget for FY13. Mr. Morrell read a statement he had prepared to the Finance Committee regarding the Highway Surveyor Salary request for FY13. The Highway Surveyor is an elected position and the Finance Committee makes a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen regarding salary. Mr. Morrell said that as an elected official when he retires he would not receive sick pay and vacation pay benefits amounting to $15,000 - $20,000. This may be his last three year term and his retirement pay would be based upon his earnings. He said the Board of Selectmen will be recommending a 2% increase for department heads without contracts and AFSCME personal will be receiving a 5% increase for FY13.
Mr. Morrell is asking for a $5,000 salary increase. His proposal to Finance Committee is to fund his request beyond the 2% with Chapter 90 funds.
Mr. Brayton noted that it might be more beneficial for the town to pay Mr. Morrell sick/vacation time of about $15,000-20,000 versus recommending his salary increase request. Something to consider and look into more.
Topics for discussion at the Board of Selectmen meeting on February 14, 2012:
Mr. Pennington spoke about compiling a list of topics to bring to the Board of Selectmen meeting.
- Ask about paying Mr. Morrell some type of severance package instead of granting his $5,000 increase. Take a look at how that might work—is this possible?
- Talk about the direction of the town. Discuss the insurance settlement with Town Hall. Is it going to be repaired or replaced?
- Ask the Board of Selectmen what their priorities are and are they planning on using free cash.
- What are their thoughts regarding an override.
- Talk about the option of combining departments. Would it be cost effective, would it help the town operate more efficiently. What departments would you combine?
Finance Committee discussed setting their list of priorities:
- Fire, Police, School, Highway. Then keep all the other departments functioning as opposed to shutting them down. Use more free cash to keep the departments open.
- Mr. Pennington asked Ms. Mahar what could impact the budget issues:
- If the state decides to fund more than level fund.
- If the winter keeps going like it is.
- Lock in for the electric rates.
- Refinancing school bonds reduces debt exclusion to save tax payers money.
- Get the final numbers on the storms.
- Move to the GIC Health Insurance-savings, (majority of the savings would be going back to the schools budget).
The next scheduled meeting of the Finance Committee is:
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 7:00pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:36pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda I. Payette
Administrative Assistant to the Finance Committee
| 
