Town of Rutland
Finance Committee
Meeting Minutes: 10/16/15
Finance Committee Meeting Opened: 7:07 pm
Finance Committee Attendance: Lyndon Nichols, Karen Nahrwold, Debbie Kristoff, Carl Bindoo, Matt Hadley and David Bigelow
Carl made the motion to accept the minutes of the meeting of 9/17/15. Debbie seconded the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Special Town Meeting Warrants:
Article 1: Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-off Abatement Program. Carl made the motion that the Finance Committee recommend that the Town vote favorably on this article. David seconded the motion. Unanimously decided that the Committee would recommend the town vote FAVORABLY on this article.
Article 2: Town’s portion of the retirement benefit due a WRSD employee. David made the motion that the Finance Committee recommend that the Town vote favorably on this article. Carl seconded the motion. Unanimously decided that the Committee would recommend the town vote FAVORABLY on this article.
Article 3: Purchase of a used dump truck with plow and sander for the DPW. Karen made the motion that the Finance Committee recommend that the Town vote favorably on this article. David seconded the motion. Unanimously decided that the Committee would recommend the town vote FAVORABLY to spend $35,000 on this article.
Article 4: Glenwood School roof repairs. Carl made the motion that the Finance Committee recommend that the Town vote favorably on this article. Matt seconded the motion. Discussion was whether or not to include specific funding sources in the recommendation. Carl amended his motion to include that $36,621.57 would come from Insurance Recovery Account and $29.768.03 would come from Naquag Green Repair Fund. Matt amended his second to include these funding sources. Unanimously decided that the Committee would recommend the town vote FAVORABLY on this article.
Article 5: Fire Department Pumper repairs. Matt made the motion that the Committee recommend favorably on this article. Carl seconded the motion. Discussion ensued in regards to spending the $12,000 to begin the repairs but if they open it up, the repairs could cost up to $20,000 as per the telephone quote that Fire Chief provided. Discussion was whether or not it was fiscally responsible to recommend favorably on this article since we did not know if we would have sufficient Free Cash available to fund the remaining repairs if necessary. Matt amended his motion that the Committee recommends NO ACTION on this article. Carl amended his motion to No Action. Unanimously decided that the Committee would recommend the town vote NO ACTION on this article.
Article 6: Elections Wages & Services. Karen made the motion to discuss. David seconded the motion. As per the notes from the Town Clerk on 10/14/15, this motion will require not action. An accounting transfer can be done from the existing balance in the Extra Polling hours State Reimbursement fund for the full sum. Carl made the motion that the Committee recommends NO ACTION on this article. Matt seconded the motion. Unanimously decided that the Committee would recommend the town vote NO ACTION on this article.
Article 7: Police Wages. David made the motion that the Committee recommend FAVORABLY on this article. Carl seconded the motion. Unanimously decided that the Committee would recommend the town vote FAVORABLY on this article.
Article 8: Town Clerk Salary. Karen made the motion to discuss. David seconded the motion. Discussion was which choice was the most fiscally responsible choice to phase in the salary increase or to give the increase all at once. The discussion was that the Public Services will be impacted throughout the town, and what was the appropriate amount to increase the wages. The position is an elected one, and Anita did know what the job was paying when she ran for the position. Carl made the motion to increase the Town Clerk’s salary by $3,574.67 for Fiscal Year 2016. Matt seconded the motion. Unanimously decided that the Committee would recommend the Town vote FAVORABLY to increase the Town Clerk’s wages by $3,575.67.
Article 9: Local Meals excise tax. Carl made the motion to recommend the town vote FAVORABLY on this article. David seconded the motion. Discussion was that the Town will need to be informed that this estimated amount of $23,000 for FY 2016 is included in the amount to fund the schools. Without passing this motion, the town will need to be informed that there will have to be an additional $23,000 in cuts. Unanimously decided that the Committee would recommend the Town vote FAVORABLY on this article.
Article 10: WRSD School Budget. Karen made the motion to discuss. David seconded the motion. Discussion was as to whether to do as one motion or multiple motions. Discussion was that the chart that will be handed out that evening will need to reflect one column with the acceptance of Article 9 and one column if Article 9 fails.
Matt made the motion that the Committee recommend the town vote FAVORABLY on the article (done as one motion). David seconded this motion. Unanimously decided that the Committee would recommend the Town vote FAVORABLY on this article (done as one motion).
Article 11: Sewer Easement gift. David made the motion that the Committee recommends the town vote FAVORABLY on this article. Carl seconded the motion. Unanimously decided that the Committee would recommend the Town vote FAVORABLY on this article.
Article 12: PILOT with Golden Hills Solar, LLC. David made the motion that the Committee recommends the town vote FAVORABLY on this article. Carl seconded the motion. Unanimously decided that the Committee would recommend the Town vote FAVORABLY on this article.
Article 13: PILOT with Community Energy Solar, LLC. David made the motion that the Committee recommends the town vote FAVORABLY on this article. Carl seconded the motion. Unanimously decided that the Committee would recommend that Town vote FAVORABLY on this article.
Article 14: Reserve Fund. David made the motion to recommend the town vote FAVORABLY on this article. Matt seconded this motion. Unanimously decided that the Committee would recommend the Town vote FAVORABLY on this article.
Finance Committee Vacancy:
Letter received from Thomas Ruchala expressing his interest in joining the Committee. Carl made the motion that Thomas Ruchala should join the Finance Committee. David seconded the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Discussion was that the Committee members would like an update on the Receivables as well as the Revolving Funds prior to the Town Meeting. Lyndon to make the request to the Town Administrator.
Matt made the motion to adjourn at 8:45 p.m. David seconded the motion. Unanimously accepted.
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