Finance Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday May 10, 2018
Rutland Public Library
7:00 p.m.
Present: Lyndon Nichols, Karen Nahrwold, Tom Ruchala, Sheryl Vernon, Carl Bindoo
Absent: Iain McKinlay, Deb Kristoff
Others Present: Margaret Nartowicz – Town Administrator, Leroy Clark – Select Board Chairman, Laura Scannell – Secretary
Mr. Nichols opened the meeting at 7:03 p.m. The meeting was recorded for Channel 191.
MINUTES
Mr. Ruchala moved to approve meeting minutes for May 3rd, 2018 as written. Ms. Vernon 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Transfer Request – Public Safety Building
Chief Seth Knipe presented a request to transfer $5,500 from the Reserve Fund to Public Safety Purchased Services Account # 001-192-5200-005 to cover the payment of electric bills for the remainder of this fiscal year. Chief Knipe discussed two incidents of receiving higher than normal bills from National Grid – in August 2017 and March 2018. National Grid pulled the meter in March; they think there is electricity bleeding into the ground. National Grid takes no responsibility for the higher usage.
There was discussion about the savings from the Golden Hills Solar Project net metering credits. Public Safety's savings for the project so far totals $2,280.76.
The Public Safety building has the second largest electric usage in town (the water treatment plan is the largest); the building is open 24/7 and fully occupied, servicing year-round. The usage has always been high, but consistent. The kilowatt-hour usage in March nearly tripled compared to the previous month.
Chief Knipe stated an electrician came out and put meters for amp draw on the circuits – nothing is going on in the building that they could find. The problem is likely between the building and the transformer. If the transformer is the problem, it's on National Grid's side and they would credit the account. Otherwise, the wires that run underground are owned by the Town.
The National Grid bill for March was over $8,000 and the next month's bill was down to about $1,200. There are no protections for another potentially spiked bill.
Ms. Vernon moved to approve a transfer of $5,500 from the Reserve Fund to Public Safety Purchased Services (001-192-6200-005). Ms. Nahrwold 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Appropriation Transfers
Request to transfer $6,301.58 from Police Quinn Bill Wages (001-210-5130-000; current balance $8,922.57) to Animal Control Officer Wages (001-292-5110-000; current balance $8,616.83). The amount requested is part of a settlement agreement between the Town and a former employee. This and the subsequently presented transfer will complete the settlement.
Ms. Nahrwold moved to approve the transfer of $6,301.58 from Police Quinn Bill Wages (001-210-2130-000) to Animal Control Officer Wages (001-292-5110-000). Ms. Vernon 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Request to transfer $8,698.42 from Veterans Service Benefits (001-543-5770-000; current balance $14,592.25) to Animal Control Officer Wages (001-292-5110-000; current balance $8,616.83). This transfer and the above transfer will complete a settlement between the Town and a former employee.
Mr. Bindoo asked what effect the transfer will have on Veterans benefits. Ms. Nartowicz stated that based on current expenditures, there are 3 beneficiaries with payouts of just over $1,000 per month each. There is expected to be enough left to cover benefits for the remainder of the fiscal year.
The total settlement amount is $15,000. Both transfers will conclude payout of the settlement.
Ms. Nahrwold moved to approve the transfer of $8,698.42 from Veterans Services Benefits (001-543-5770-000) to Animal Control Officer Wages (001-292-5110-000). Mr. Bindoo 2nd. Vote unanimous.
General FY19 Budget Discussion
There was discussion about the Senate Ways and Means budget estimates including an increase to Chapter 70 of about $23.5 million and reducing transportation to $1 million. Ms. Nartowicz spoke with Darryll McCall. Even if the school promises to return the increases later, the Town would still have to cut the budget at Town Meeting and that can't be recouped. Mr. Nichols stated residents should be given reassurance that this won't hurt the school but will hurt the Town. There should be enough information to convince people that passing the WRSD budget in full will be bad for the Town.
Ms. Nartowicz considers it as asking for a "pause" – the state numbers look good, if they firm up a bit the recommended budget can be preserved, and the district budget is likely to be preserved.
There was discussion about the proposed bylaw to change the Town Meeting date and how the new date may potentially align with the state numbers. The Governor may not sign the budget until after the start of the new fiscal year.
STM/ATM Warrant Articles
There was discussion about the Turf Field Replacement article (#18); according to the district, all towns would have to approve it. Ms. Nahrwold stated Paxton has voted it down.
There was discussion about the Strong Police Chief citizens' petition. The Select Board does not vote on the petition as a board, but members will make their personal votes. As there is no money involved, Mr. Clark does not believe the Finance Committee needs to make any recommendation. (The Finance Committee voted on May 3rd to recommend no action on the article.)
Ms. Nartowicz discussed the strong and weak chief statutes. Chief Monaco already has the ability to assign people to work per a collective bargaining agreement. In practice, there will be very few changes if the Strong Chief statute is adopted.
Ms. Nartowicz discussed Article 22, regarding contract procurement. The Select Board will meet at 5:30 on Saturday to discuss adding the language "not longer than 10 years without Town Meeting approval."
Mr. Bindoo moved to adjourn. Ms. Vernon 2nd. Vote unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________ Laura Scannell, Secretary
Approved on: ___________
______________________ Lyndon Nichols, Chairman
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