Board of Selectmen / Finance Committee
November 8, 2012
Community Hall
6:30 pm
Present: Peter J. Letsky, Vice Chairman; Joseph R. Becker and Sheila H. Dibb
Also present: Finance committee members – Lyndon Nichols, Matthew Hadley, Deborah Kristoff, Karen Nahrwold and David Bigelow
Opening of meeting by Vice-Chairman:
Mr. Bigelow moved to accept the Finance Committee minutes from October 23, 2012. Mr. Hadley seconded. Vote unanimous.
Discussion on combined secretary. Mr. Nichols to review and pass on to Selectmen.
Mr. Becker stated that free cash was certified today at $308,072. It does not include #911 money received after September 30th or what is still due. State will not give recert. $162,513.60 (will roll into FY 13 free cash) . . . . FY 12 - $87,188 outstanding. Sewer free cash certified at $506,950; water free cash certified at $228,602.
STM Articles:
Mr. Becker – replenish Stabilization Fund with $80,000? – Amount equals fuel storage tanks. New growth also higher – first was $75,000, agreed to $99,000 at budget time (actual is $276,974). Mr. Nichols questioned why it was so far off; suspects valuation “muddied the waters”.
Final suggestion – fund year 3 of the wage study. FY 12 did not see year 3 activated. Effective January 1, 2013 – COLA and phase in year 3 (all non-union employees). Six months cost $12,000 (22 employees). COLA – adjust matrix 2%.
Wachusett MLC off by $77.00.
Fire chief expenses – medical screening, agility, psych evaluation, uniforms, etc.; purchase services increase $6,000. Increase fuel line items to get through 2012 due to delay with storage tanks: $2,770 Fire, $2,770 Ambulance, $4,000 police. Fire chief vehicle – current not able to rehab, chief needs radio equipment when responding off duty from home. On CIPC list; new vehicle is $43,000 fully equipped, less $1,500 grant for radios. Acting Chief Knipe researched leased used vehicle for approximately $28,000 – added to supplies line item (?).
Police – budget for cruiser - $36,000 into Supplies. Plan was always to put cruisers into annual line items in general budget.
Board of Health - Needs additional $775 for Charnock landfill monitor.
Library - $3,600 supplies for sill repairs
Liability Insurance premium increase - $13,084.
Total $114,153.75 raise and appropriate. Leaves with $80,000 to balance from free cash.
Mr. Becker stated that Mr. Kenney will attempt to spend grant money earlier to avoid this problem. Will carry $99,000 in free cash.
Selectmen discussed general fund additions. Mr. Becker moved to adjust the wage matrix by 2% implementing January, 2013. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker moved to increase FY 13 general budget as per discussion including two vehicles, Fire Department supplies, total $122,633.75. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker moved to increase wages to implement phase 3 wage adjustment beginning January, 2013. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
Finance Committee Review of articles:
Article 1: Ms. Kristoff moved to recommend article 1. Mr. Hadley seconded. Vote unanimous.
Article 2: (placed in case reductions were necessary). Ms. Kristoff moved to recommend article 2. Mr. Hadley seconded. Vote unanimous.
Article 9: Non-criminal disposition. Mr. Becker thanked the committee for preparing it. Mr. Bigelow moved to approve article 9. Mr. Hadley seconded. Vote unanimous.
Article 8: Animal control by-law. Mr. Hadley moved to approve. Ms. Kristoff seconded. Vote unanimous.
Articles 12, 13 14: Solar pilots. Mr. Anderson stated that two agreements are close. Putnam agreement (article 14 has not responded but we have an agreement acceptable to town that can still be acted on. Language is virtually the same across all three. Ms. Nahrwold was told agreements would be ready . . . very frustrating if “no action” again. Mr. Anderson stated that he was 99% certain that two will be done and third will be ready. More discussion. Mr. Bigelow moved to approve articles 12, 13 14. Mr. Hadley seconded. Vote unanimous.
Article 3: Six flow meters from Sewer Enterprise $82,500. Explanation of meter workings, benefits – had not gone through CIPC previously. Addison Redfield – meeting scheduled for November 15, have been unable to set earlier meeting. Unposted, informal meeting at 10 am on November 9th with DPW Superintendent. CIPC will not be in a position to recommend & believes they may not be recommended. Mr. Becker moved to take ‘No Action’. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous. Mr. Bigelow moved to approve. Ms. Kristoff seconded. Discussion Mr. Bigelow amended motion to take “no action”. Ms. Kristoff seconded. Vote unanimous.
Article 4: Fuel storage tanks. Mr. Becker gave an explanation. $80,000 appropriated from Stabilization in May did not include tracking & security. Change order to bid, bid component addition – component is $12,000 but requires different pump. Mr. Bigelow stated that it’s better to do everything now, otherwise compatibility may be an issue. Discussion including Addison Redfield dissenting. Mr. Bigelow moved to approve article 4. Mr. Hadley seconded. Vote unanimous.
Article 5: Five sets of fire turnout gear. Mr. Becker explained the number of sets due to expire, but new chief needs a set. Town counsel felt the motion could be changed to 5 . . still in the spirit of the article. $14,000 Mr. Hadley moved to approve article 5. Ms. Kristoff seconded. Vote unanimous.
Article 6: Acceptance of thermal imaging camera. Mr. Bigelow moved to approve. Mr. Hadley seconded. Vote unanimous.
Article 7: Farm Animal Tax. Discussion. Mr. Bigelow moved to approve. Mr. Hadley seconded. Vote unanimous.
Article 11: Stabilization $80,000. Mr. Bigelow moved to approve. Mr. Hadley seconded. Vote unanimous.
Article 10: Offset tax rate $88,500. Mr. Hadley moved to approve. Mr. Bigelow seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker motioned to adjourn. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
Finance Committee meeting dates distributed. Mr. Bigelow moved to adjourn. Mr. Hadley seconded. Vote unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila H. Dibb
Board of Selectmen
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