Finance Committee Meeting Minutes
March 13, 2014
3 – 3:50pm
Present: Dan Moriarity, Donald Clawson and Stanley Ross
Also present for parts of the meeting: Shawn Tryon and Mike Johnson
This meeting was called at the request of the Select Board to meet with a few departments to gather more information on their requested FY15 budgets.
The Committee met first with Chief Tryon with regards to the Fire Departments request for 6 new defibrillators (4 for the fire department and 2 for the police cruisers):
- The Committee and Select Board understand the need for 2 for the police department but questioned why the fire department needs 4 instead of 2. It is required that each fire apparatus carry an AED. There would be one in each fire truck, one on the rescue vehicle and the last one would be on the Suburban.
- Chief Tryon explained that the reason we need to replace these is because are over 10 years old (it’s recommended that you replace them every 5-8 years) and in 2015 they will stop making parts for the ones we currently have making them obsolete.
- Chief Tryon noted that the Parks Commission should also have the portable AED units at the beach and hockey rink. Mike stated that the COA provided the Town Hall with one. The Finance Committee is going to recommend to the Select Board on Monday that they should consider adding 2 portable AED boxes and one unit into the budget for the beach and hockey rink.
- Shawn asked about the capital purchases forecast and whether or not the rumor that items were being pushed back 2 years is correct. The Committee stated that right now items are being pushed out one year. The Committee clarified with Shawn that Engine 1 is should be on the capital expense spreadsheet to be replaced in FY16 however Shawn pointed out that the meeting minutes state that they voted unanimously to move it out to FY18. He is concerned if we keep putting this off
- The Committee also inquired of Shawn how the $49000 is spent of his expense budget. The Town cover $14,000 of this and the remainder of the money goes toward maintaining the trucks (about $10k), diesel fuel, purchases, replacement parts, testing, medical supplies
The Committee met first with Mike Johnson with regards to his Council on Aging increase
- Mike has requested an additional $500 which will cover increases in dues for several organizations they belong to. He made the same request last year and the budget was level funded and no one ever spoke with Mike on why he had requested the increase.
Stan inquired of Sergeant Johnson why the newer SUV isn’t being used more than the older cruiser. Sgt. Johnson stated they are being used equally, the older cruiser is used during the day shift and the SUV is used during the night shift.
The Chair of the Parks Department was also asked to attend this meeting but was unable.
There will be a meeting at 4pm on Tuesday, March 18th with the Select Board and Treasurer to discuss the Treasurer’s FY15 budget request and some concerns everyone has with her office.
The Finance Committee will also be in attendance at the Monday morning Select Board meeting.
Submitted by,
Melissa Noe, Executive Secretary
Via audio recording
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