Finance Committee Minutes
May 9, 2006
Town Hall, Room 5
Present: Mr. Mastascusa, Ms. Hurlbut, Mr. Kelliher, Mr. Wolpin, Mr. Jones, Sr., Mr. Johnson, Mr. Casazza, Mr. Westervelt and Ms. Ralph
Guests: Mr. Tassone, Finance Director and Mark Clark, Water Superintendent
Chair opened the meeting at 7:36 PM. Mr. Clark made a 45 min. power point presentation on the status of the Wastewater and Stormwater Planning Advisory Committee, WSWPAC. In his concluding statement, Mr. Clark advised members the earliest possible sewer installation would be in five years.
Mr. Tassone took over the meeting at 8:15 PM and requested nominations for Chair.
Mr. Westervelt nominated Mr. Mastascusa for Chair. Hearing no other nominations;
MR. WESTERVELT MOVED TO APPROVE MR. MASTASCUSA AS CHAIRMAN. MR. WOLPIN SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTED: UNANIMOUS.
Mr. Tassone requested nominations for Vice Chair. Mr. Kelliher nominated Ms. Hurlbut for Vice Chair. Hearing no other nominations;
MR. KELLIHER MOVED TO APPROVE MS. HURLBUT AS VICE CHAIR. MR. RALPH SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTED: UNANIMOUS.
Mr. Tassone requested nominations for Clerk. Mr. Jones, Sr., nominated Mr. Casazza. Hearing no other nominations;
MR. JONES, SR., MOVED TO APPROVE MR. CASAZZA AS CLERK. MR. KELLIHER SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTED: UNANIMOUS.
Mr. Mastascusa took over as Chairman and thanked the Committee for his reappointment as Chair. He advised members of the new Chairs and Vice Chairs on the Board of Selectmen and School Committee. He also advised members that the 3% roll back of Town budgets is most likely coming from the legislature again this year.
Since NESWC paid the first quarter tipping fee, the money put into the solid waste budget will not be fully utilized. It was discussed to put $80,000 back into the reserve fund and then use as needed. Mr. Tassone advised members that as of May 1st, General Gov. has had a spending freeze except for contractual items. Members discussed $8,000 needed for repairs for a DPW skid steerer, a new one would cost $19,000. It was the consensus of the Committee to buy a new one and pay for it out of the special reserve fund. Members discussed the $200,000 in additional Chapter 70 money that is suppose to come to the town and how it would be split.
Reserve fund transfers
MR. JONES, SR., MOVED TO APPROVE A RESERVE FUND TRANSFER REQUEST OF $6,400 TO VETERANS’ BENEFITS, TO COME OUT OF THE GENERAL RESERVE. MR. CASAZZA SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTED: UNANIMOUS.
MR. JONES, SR., MOVED TO APPROVE A RESERVE FUND TRANSFER REQUEST OF $22,465 TO THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT, TO COME OUT OF THE SPECIAL FUEL FUND. MR. WESTERVELT SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTED: UNANIMOUS.
A three year budget planning process was discussed
1) reasonable level services
2) approved approach through benchmarks
3) appropriate staffing levels
4) appropriate money for goods/services
The next schedule meeting of the Finance Committee will be prior to the continued Town Meeting on Thursday, May 18th at 6:30.
MS. HURLBUT MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 10:00 P.M. MR. CASAZZA SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTED: UNANIMOUS.
Approved ____________________________ dated ____________
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