Finance Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday May 31, 2018
Rutland Public Library
7:00 p.m.
Present: Lyndon Nichols, Carol Martens, Karen Nahrwold, Brian Stidsen, Iain McKinlay, Tom Ruchala, Sheryl Vernon
Others Present: Leroy Clark – Select Board, Margaret Nartowicz – Town Administrator, Laura Scannell – Secretary
Mr. Nichols opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
MINUTES
Ms. Nahrwold moved to accept the meeting minutes from May 10, 2018 as presented. Mr. Ruchala 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Letter to WRSD RE: State Aid & Town Assessments
Mr. McKinlay moved to send the letter as written to the WRSD Superintendent and School Committee members. Ms. Vernon 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Nichols is concerned the district will try to keep the money from the State budget. Mr. Clark stated all district towns have submitted letters at Ms. Nartowicz's recommendation. Ms. Vernon stated the district could have sent an amended budget prior to Town Meeting even without an exact dollar amount.
There was discussion about transportation. Ms. Martens suggested getting more than one bid for transportation; the district was unable to get more. Mr. Ruchala discussed other districts having the same problem and mentioned the Telegram had investigated possible collusion between bus companies.
BUDGET DISCUSSION
Ms. Nartowicz provided revised budgets from Town Meeting.
Ms. Nahrwold discussed the rumor that the budget will be made whole in November. She feels the only line that should be upped is Ms. Nartowicz's salary, otherwise it gives the impression of "crying wolf" - the Committee should stand behind what was said at Town Meeting.
Ms. Nartowicz announced the State awarded the grant for the streamline permitting software in the amount of $12,800. That line could be reduced and put toward other lines in the budget. Mr. Nichols stated the Town will understand if money comes back from the school as well. Ms. Nartowicz would like to publicly commit to not using free cash, just the funds returned from the school district.
Mr. Ruchala discussed making the salary adjustments that should have been made. The school district got its whole budget, no cuts were made there.
Town employees were able to receive wage adjustments due to Ms. Nartowicz taking a cut to her salary. Gary Kellaher had requested reducing his salary, which was ultimately put back in.
There was a discussion about the events of the Town Meeting.
The Finance Committee reviewed the budget reductions sheet as provided by Ms. Nartowicz. Fire and Ambulance wages were restored. The Building Commissioner received increases to hours and rate; not all Inspections employees got their requested increase in hours. Ms. Martens would like to keep revisiting that matter – with more building will come higher need for inspections; asking the employees to do more for less could lead to unionization.
Mr. Ruchala would like to figure out a way to get the money back on Ms. Nartowicz's salary; if it can be done before June 30th he recommends it should come from free cash.
Expenditures
Departments have flexibility between expense lines. Dan Haynes, Town Accountant, has suggested budgetary transfers within departments; this should cut down on appropriation transfer requests.
Public Safety had a meter put on the transformer, which found some excess demand on the transformer, possibly from the air conditioning. Regarding the substantial energy usage spike on the Complex's March National Grid invoice, both April and May's invoice saw readings closer to the building's average usage.
There was discussion about the area where the cells are – Mr. Ruchala stated when the AC kicks on, it doesn't not get recirculated like other areas, a lot of energy out the window.
Ms. Nartowicz suggested waiting on putting in energy management as it would be a perfect project for Green Communities.
There was discussion about the possibility of a regional lockup in Worcester.
Mr. Ruchala discussed the order of warrant items and whether the Finance Committee can rearrange the items pertaining to budget. He would prefer to see Town Meeting vote on municipal budget items ahead of the school budget. Ms. Nartowicz stated the Select Board controls the warrant and article placement by law, but the Finance Committee can make suggestions for the order. Non-financial business could be moved to the top, etc. Regardless, motions to reconsider or take articles out of order could be made. There was discussion about the publication and social media discussions of the Finance Committee's recommendations on the school budget.
Ms. Martens discussed the possibility of making the public more aware of the amounts involved, what the school administrators earn versus the Town fire and police chiefs. Ms. Nahrwold feels department heads should be required to speak at ATM about the cuts to their departments.
Ms. Nartowicz recommends looking at all budget lines to restore as much as possible, not just the Town Administrator salary.
There was discussion about DPW prioritizing schools over Town buildings. Mr. Nichols stated the focus should be on work that isn't getting done, i.e. preference is given to mowing fields while the library parking lot badly needs paving.
Ms. Nahrwold requested that going forward, the Finance Committee be kept informed about when the Select Board begins discussions for the next Town Meeting warrant.
The Select Board has discussed assigning liaisons to various departments and committees in Town. Mr. Nichols feels that would be inappropriate.
Committee Reorganization
Mr. McKinlay nominated Tom Ruchala as Chairman. Ms. Martens 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Mr. McKinlay nominated Sheryl Vernon as Vice-Chair. Ms. Martens 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Mr. McKinlay nominated Karen Nahrwold as Secretary. Ms. Martens 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Stidsen moved to adjourn. Ms. Vernon 2nd. Vote unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________ Laura Scannell, Secretary
Approved on: ______________
_________________________ Thomas Ruchala, Chairman
| 
