MINUTES OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2008
Chairman Mauceri called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. in Room 14 at the Town Hall in the presence of members Mr. Veno, Mr. Dardeno, Mr. O’Leary, Mr. Harris and the Town Administrator Greg Balukonis.
#1. BUDGET DISCUSSION
Chairman Mauceri updated the FY09 budget in view of savings associated with the health insurance budget. The total savings to be applied to the budget is $377,810. Additionally the Town is saving $6,471 due to a lower assessment in the Regional Vocational School assessment.
Mr. Dardeno stated the savings in the health insurance is due to hard work by the Town Administrator and Selectmen by pursuing the GIC plan. He stated his preferences in fully funding School Priority #2 with the remaining amount going to the Recreation Department.
Mr. Mauceri noted a conversation with the Supt. of Schools concerning FY09 funding for education. The School Department is willing to withdraw their request for an Override should Priority #2 be funded.
Mr. Veno agrees with providing most of the funding to the Schools, but $25,000 should be restored to Recreation expenses and the position in the Collector’s office and Parks laborer be added back to the budget.
Mr. O’Leary reviewed the revised Override amount, less $384,281 savings from health insurance and the Voc. School budget. The new Override amount is therefore $834,000. Mr. O’Leary finds it interesting the Schools would be willing to concede Priority #3. He questioned not giving voters the opportunity to restore additional funds to the budget by voting an Override. Mr. O’Leary suggested an Override be placed on the ballot to address those budgets previously identified last week.
Mr. Harris noted his support for restoring services not funded in the Selectmen’s balanced budget recommendations. Mr. Veno favors the inclusion of an Override question, but he is confused why the Schools would be willing to forego Priority #3.
Rita Mullin spoke in support of additional funds for the Recreation Department. She asks that $50,000 be restored to the Recreation budget.
Marci Bailey addressed the Board, and noted her support should the Board vote an Override amount.
Michael Prisco recommended any amount given to fund School Priority #2 should be done with conditions. Mr. Veno asked if Mr. Prisco was aware of information not given by a department on the FY09 budget.
Mr. Harris proposes a compromise that partially funds Recreation, Treasurer/Collector’s office and substantial amount of School Priority #2. Mr. Harris states his proposal restores 5.8 teaching positions.
Mr. O’Leary spoke in favor of fully funding School Priority #2. His other recommendations made in prior weeks have not changed.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO FUND SCHOOL PRIORITY #2 - $334,281,
TREASURER/COLLECTOR - $25,000, RECREATION DEPARTMENT – $25,000.
MOTION BY: MR. DARDENO
SECONDED BY: MR. HARRIS
VOTED: 3-2 (MOTION PASSED)
Don Kelleher, Vice Chairman of the Finance Committee spoke in favor of the Schools finding $40,000 within their FY09 budget to fully fund Priority #2. Mr. Veno does not support the municipal departments making additional cuts to provide funds for the Schools.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO PLACE AN OVERRIDE TO FUND SCHOOL PRIORITY #3 AND PRIORITY #2 AND MUNICIPAL RESTORATIONS VOTED BY THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN ON MARCH 17, 2008.
MOTION BY: MR. O’LEARY
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
Mr. O’Leary reiterated his priority for fully funding the School Department budget. Mr. Mauceri reminded the Board it takes a 2/3 or 4 “yes” votes to place an Override on the ballot.
VOTED: 4-1 (MOTION PASSED)
The Board supports Sample Override Question #2C, which provides for a total amount and allocation by department.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE THE FORMAT FOR THE OVERRIDE QUESTION AS SPECIFIED IN THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION #2C BE USED.
MOTION BY: MR. O’LEARY
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: 5-0
#3. FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Chairman Mauceri spoke in favor of creating a Committee to report on an analysis of revenues and costs. The Committee would submit a report to the October Town Meeting.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO PUT THE CALL OUT FOR FISCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
MOTION BY: MR. O’LEARY
SECONDED BY: MR. HARRIS
VOTED: 5-0
#4. EXECUTIVE SESSION (9:00 PM)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR
THE PURPOSES OF LITIGATION STRATEGY, AND FURTHER THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN WILL RETURN TO OPEN SESSION THEREAFTER FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF ADJOURNMENT AND TO ADMIT POLICE CHIEF EDWARD NOLAN TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION..
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: MR.HARRIS: AYE MR. O’LEARY: AYE
MR. DARDENO: AYE MR. VENO: AYE
MR. MAUCERI: AYE
9: 24 p.m. Mr. Harris left the Executive Session
9:45 PM The Board returned to open session.
ADJOURN
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO ADJOURN.
MOTION BY: MR. VENO
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (4-0)
__________________ _________________________________
DATE MR. MICHAEL HARRIS, CLERK
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