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Finance Committee Meeting Minutes
February 20, 2014
10 - 11am
Present: Donald Clawson, Dan Moriarity and Muriel Lazzarini
- M. Noe provided the Committee with the contracted increases for the school employees received from Vito Valentini. Unit A which is the teachers will get 3 ½% unless they’ve reached the top of their pay scale category which means they will receive 1%, this also applies to the administration and Unit D will receive 2 – 2 ½% increases.
- The minutes from February 6th were approved as written.
- Those present reviewed the comments/clarifications provided by M. Noe after the most recent Select Board/Fin Comm meeting:
- Scott had noted that line 914 for health insurance seemed like a lot for 7 ppl.~ M. Noe clarified that this line item is paying 90% for 6 employees, 80% for one employee and 50% for 3 retirees. The money we put into the retiree stabilization fund each year has yet to be touched (it does require a 2/3 vote at town meeting to use the funds) but we could pay for the three retirees out of this each year at town meeting but this has yet to occur. The balance in this account per Steve Pullen as of 2/2/13 was $14,312.35. Clarification from the Treasurer will be sought on if this is a reserve fund or a stabilization fund and what the most current balance is. It will also be requested that she provide an updated cash book of all our accounts including the stabilization funds, septic reserve fund, etc.
- Don confirmed that we cannot prepay the septic loan program and will need to continue to make the remaining 6 payments over the next 6 years. It was suggested that this may not need to go to town meeting vote any longer if we can confirm that the balance in the account we have collected funds for this program in has enough to make the payments from. The Committee will confirm with Bethany what the balance is in this account.
- It was confirmed that the FY13 books still have not been closed. A letter was received from the Deputy Commission of the Department of Revenue informing the Select Board that they have yet to receive the annual city and town financial report for FY13 (schedule A) which was due on November 30, 2013. In order to receive our March distribution on time, DLS must receive this by March 14, 2014.
- It was confirmed that the Council on Aging line item does not include any requested funds for transportation.
- The surrounding town comparison for the Town Clerk’s position was provided to compare with what Monterey is currently paying. It was agreed after speaking with the Town Clerk that her request for $2,000 more in salary is justified and that the Assistant Town Clerk position will be lowered by this much (this position is an hourly position).
- The Committee reviewed the FY15 budget and discussed the following:
- The Committee would like more justification on the additional $2,000 requested for shared supplies between the Accountant and Treasurer. What kinds of supplies are being ordered and shared.
- The projected costs to run the WMH Community Center once it opens was discussed. In reviewing the projected costs submitted by the Director of Operation as well as the FWMH the Committee came up with a more realistic figure seeing as the Community Center will most like be open for ½ of FY15.
- Maynard confirmed that Chapter 90 funds cannot be used to pave Sylvan Rd as it does not meet the requirements set forth by Chapter 90, if the Board would still like the Town’s portion of Sylvan Rd paved he has requested that an additional $10,000 be added to his maintenance budget.
- The Committee needs to set up additional meetings with several departments.
- Muriel is suggesting that the date to finalize the warrant should be moved up from March 31st to March 24th.
- The Committee will be meeting with the Select Board on Monday, February 24th at 9am.
Submitted by,
Melissa Noe, Executive Secretary
Via audio recording
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