MONSON FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 4, 2013
Present: Bob Margerison, Christine Edwards, Peter Fimognari, Jim Pennington, Gerry Brayton, Maureen O’Sullivan, Brenda Payette (Administrative Assistant),
Steve O’Shea, Chairman Parks and Recreation, Peter Sauriol, School Committee.
Absent: Bob Finnegan, William Dominguez, Kurt Kaiser
The meeting was convened at 7:00pm
Ms. Edwards made a motion to accept the minutes of the 10/15/12 meeting; Mr. Fimognari SECONDED, all VOTED YES.
Ms. Edwards made a motion to accept the minutes of the 11/5/12 meeting; Mr. Fimognari SECONDED, all VOTED YES.
Ms. Edwards made a motion to accept the minutes of the 11/26/12 meeting; Mr. Fimognari SECONDED, all VOTED YES.
Ms. Payette handed out revised Water and Sewer Department budgets.
Mr. O’Shea addressed FinCom to discuss the financial status of the pool.
He informed them that the School Committee has decided to close the pool at the end of the swim season, around the end of February 2013, because they can no longer financially afford to keep the pool open.
Mr. Sauriol addressed FinCom to give an overview of the cost associated with the pool. It costs around $60,000 a year to run the pool. Parks and Rec pays the School about 1/3 of the cost $20,000 leaving the School to pay the remainder of $40,000.00.
There is no separate line item in the School’s budget for the pool.
Majority of the expense is electricity. A few years ago a new meters were installed to begin capturing the true cost of electricity; therefore the $60,000 figure could be a bit less than that.
Mr. O’Shea said that Parks and Rec is willing to take over the management of the pool. Moving forward would like to have the Pool be its own separate budget and not part of the School budget. All expenses related to the pool would be captured and he would be able to provide a true accounting of the pool.
A great deal of discussion took place with the biggest question being asked: what is the true cost to run the pool. FinCom and members of the audience addressed their concerns to the School Committee and it was heavily stressed that an actual accounting of the pool be given.
Members of the Town also stressed how they use the pool and how it benefits the town.
Mr. Pennington, Finance Committee Chair followed up after this meeting with following email to School Committee and Parks and Recreation:
From: Jim Pennington, Chair of Finance Committee
From our last meeting Monday, February 4 when we discussed the pool a great deal. I wanted to summarize what we would like to know as informational pieces.
From that meeting we as a committee request from you the School Committee, the ACTUAL COSTS for Pool w/receipts that can be produced for work done, chemicals, electricity ( show actual one year month to month wattage usage) on pool over the past year or even two years, what steps are being taken to keep the pool open on your end by reducing hours, reducing temperature, following the directions for dehumidifier on and off, date of when cost savings will start for electricity reduced rate, do not just say 60,000 please show us the what’s, where’s, and all the costs, from cleaning to repairs, chemicals, electricity. Thank you
From the meeting we as a committee request from you the Parks and Recreation Commission, what is scheduled in the pool from now until first week of March, and anything else you might have scheduled from that date on (compare to last year) and your lost income as a result of a possible closing? Please project lost income as a result of closing the pool. When one closes a pool, someone loses, should not have to happen. Secondly, what does it cost you to run pool per year in wages for director, life guards. Other costs associated with pool.
To both committees, we asked that you get together between now and our next meeting (Feb.25) and discuss the pool and keeping it open till first week in March to accommodate the scheduled event there.
I would also ask that you talk about what would happen if the pool went to Parks and Rec. School maintains building roof, doors, walls, locker rooms and bathrooms. Parks and Rec the pool, pump, pool deck, filter.
How would it all be done to separate the pool from the school? Budget funding, a line item in Parks and Rec? Like to hear how you might like to set forth a proposal to see if it is possible with some preliminary talk, planning at a few meetings, gathering information and getting this resolved between two parties.
Need some brainstorming on this but need actual costs by receipts for work done, cleaning, maintenance, chemicals, electricity for at least a year. Need to know actual costs. How can we accomplish this to be a win/win situation for all parties but most importantly the town.
Thank you for your assistance ahead of time in bringing forth the actual costs, how you might envision what can happen with the pool is critical. Please have your meeting between the two parties and see how something might materialize and happen.
Next meeting February 25, 2013 at 7:00pm
Hillside School
Finance Committee Meeting
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Sincerely,
Jim Pennington
CORRESPONDENCE:
Expenditure Ledger
Memo from Ms. Mahar to Finance Committee dated November 30, 2012 RE: Budget for 2014
Letter from Gerald Paist, Superintendent Pathfinder Regional Vocational Tech. High School to James Pennington, RE: invitation to annual budget presentation on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 7pm. Ms. Payette will RSVP yes for Ms. Mahar, Ms. O’Sullivan and Ms. Edwards.
Municipal Appropriation Requirement MAR spreadsheet budget proposal 2014 from the Library.
Town of Monson Certification of Appropriations from Special Town Meeting November 26, 2012.
The Beacon.
Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation Municipal Financial Data 42nd edition.
Bill submitted from Ms. Payette, Finance Committee Administrative Assistant for $600.00 for July 2012-January 2013.
Ms. Edwards made a motion to pay Ms. Payette $600.00; it was SECONDED and SO VOTED.
The next scheduled meeting of the Finance Committee is:
Monday, February 25, 2013 at 7:00pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda I. Payette, Administrative Assistant to the Finance Committee
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