Town of Rutland
Finance Committee & Board of Selectmen Meeting
Meeting Minutes: 2/23/16
Finance Committee Meeting Opened: 7:01 pm
Finance Committee Attendance: Lyndon Nichols, Karen Nahrwold, Debbie Kristoff, Matt Hadley, Carl Bindoo and Tom Ruchala
Finance Committee Absent: Dave Bigelow
Police Chief was present to answer questions the Committee had in regards to the Reserve Fund transfer request.
The vehicle that had the transmission replaced has 85,000 miles on it. The Town purchased this as a used vehicle in 2011. Warranty has expired. Chief informed us that there is approximately another $800 in repairs needed to be done to this car.
Carl made the motion to transfer $2,200 from the Reserve Fund to account 001-210-5400 Supplies. Tom seconded the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Veteran’s Services: level funded budget was presented. Rutland currently has 5 veterans receiving benefits. Approximately 450 or so veterans in town. The budget presented can sustain a couple more veterans to get benefits and still be okay.
Veteran’s Agent informed us that he spends most of his time in Rutland assisting with filling out VA paperwork.
Council on Aging: budget presented reflects a slight increase in dues. Nancy stated that they want to increase their programs and that they have received assistance from Friends of Council on Aging as well as MA Council on Aging to help fund some of these programs.
Nancy stated that the Formula Grant covers some of the salaries for the department. Elder Services covers meals on wheels and meals are paid by recipients at $2.50/each.
Elder Bus – Rutland does not have their own bus. We have contracted with an outside service to provide this service.
It was requested that a new spreadsheet be submitted to the Committee including the other outside sources of funding to show a true cost of the department, not just what the Town covers.
Safe Place:
Safe Place Director wages are at a MTP 3 Step 2. Paid for 38 hours per week.
Budget submitted reflects a 2 ½% increase in revenues. The Recreation Committee has decided that they have to raise prices next year.
More than ½ of the employees of Safe Place are also employees of WRSD. All employees of Safe Place are paid through payroll.
Recreation:
Katelyn will be paid for an additional 2 hours per week from Recreation. (Total hours worked per week will be 40)
Susan Novak would like to hire a 16 hour per week Program Coordinator
Susan Novak reported that Pool for last season was as follows:
Revenue $29,676.50
Expenses $42,461.61
Susan Novak also reported that Summer Fun for last season was as follows:
Revenue $22,176.50
Expenses $20,585.84
Pool passes last season were $175 per family of 4 caps at $200 per family. 87 family pool passes were sold last year. 144 kids enjoyed Swimming Lessons last year at the pool.
Susan reported that the pool staffing was a problem last year. Overstaffing of lifeguards caused expenses to go too high. She is recommending a decrease in lifeguards this upcoming season that should result in a decrease of $5,000 in wages.
Pool hours last year were from 12 to 7 p.m.
Susan is recommending hiring a Pool Manager that will work 35 hours per week. This person will cover the snack shack and do scheduling of the lifeguards.
The numbers submitted did not tie to the numbers on Town Accountant’s report. It was recommended that they resubmit with accurate numbers to ties to the Town Accountant’s report.
CPO position will need to be hired as well.
Budget submitted reflects a loss for the overall year. When asked if the revolving fund has sufficient balance to cover this budgeted loss, Susan reported that she was not sure how this year was going to end up with balances.
Fire Department:
No full town wages come out of this department.
Fire part-time wages includes forest fire wages
The department has $1.5 million in apparatus. Vehicle maintenance is hurting the most. More money is needed on this item to allow for more maintenance.
Currently the department has 25 people for fire fighters. 2-3 people in per year but losing 3-4 people per year.
Ambulance:
Overtime and Benefit time coverage go to Part time employees first before full time employees to minimize the cost.
Biggest hurdle they have is in scheduling M-F during the day if one of the full time employees is out or using benefit time.
Deveraux School is the largest user of the Ambulance. About 30% of Ambulance usage is for Senior Citizens
Seth Knipe recommended looking to raising the rates that the Ambulance is billed out. Rutland currently bills at 150% over Medicare rates. Holden, as a point of reference, bills out at 200%.
Karen made the motion to accept the February 18th minutes as presented. Deb seconded. Correction needed to be made to reflect Matt Hadley as absent from meeting. Minutes presented had Carl Bindoo listed twice. Unanimously accepted with changes.
Matt made the motion to accept the February 9th minutes. Tom seconded. Unanimously accepted.
Matt Hadley officially resigned his position on the Committee as he is moving out of town. This will be his last meeting.
Carl Bindoo made the motion to adjourn. Matt seconded the motion. Unanimously accepted to adjourn at 9:45 p.m.
Approved_3/10/2016 LSNichols
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