Finance Committee Minutes
Thursday, February 15, 2018
Rutland Public Library
7:00 p.m.
Present: Karen Nahrwold, Tom Ruchala, Lyndon Nichols, Sheryl Vernon, Iain McKinlay
Absent: Deb Kristoff, Carl Bindoo
Others: Margaret Nartowicz – Town Administrator, Leroy Clark – Select Board, Laura Scannell – Secretary
Mr. Nichols opened the meeting at 7:01 p.m. The meeting was recorded for Channel 191.
Minutes
There was discussion about attaching the WRSD presentation slides with the minutes; the decision was made to remove the slides and the line referencing the “attached slides” from the minutes. There was discussion of clarifying that the “motion to postpone meeting” failed due to lack of 2nd.
Mr. Ruchala moved to approve the meeting minutes for February 13, 2018 with the two corrections. Ms. Nahrwold 2nd. Vote unanimous.
APPOINTMENTS
7:00 p.m.: Conversation Commission
Peter Craine presented the budget for ConCom. Level funded; total requested for FY19 is $1,927.50.
Iain McKinlay joined the meeting at 7:08 p.m.
7:10 p.m.: Recreation & Safe Place
Corinna Frohock and Sarah Galvin were in attendance to present the Recreation and Safe Place budgets, respectively.
Recreation – so far FY 18 is looking to be as successful as FY17. Ms. Frohock is always keeping an eye on making sure revenues cover programming, keeping up with increased staffing costs and maintenance. There are no major changes anticipated; Ms. Frohock is not typically sure how many weeks the summer program will have to run when writing the budget (based on the total number of snow days by the end of the school year). The budget is based on 6 and a half to 7 weeks of Summer Fun, 8 weeks of having the pool open.
Pool maintenance is going well. They are looking at getting quotes for a chlorinator to keep the disinfectant levels constant versus the current process of hand-dumping chemicals. For the past two years, Recreation has hired a certified pool operator and lifeguards to maintain chemicals – all of whom are paid wages directly from the department. The chlorinator would fall under Purchased Services – full cost benefit has yet to be evaluated pending receiving quotes.
Overall budget has decreased $9,018.50 from FY18. Ms. Frohock budgeted for FY18 based primarily on historical information; the FY19 budget is based more on firsthand experience with more precise numbers.
Safe Place – Enrollment at Naquag is almost full, while Glenwood is a bit lower; staff members have been moved from Glenwood to Naquag. Ms. Galvin is hoping to get out and promote the program earlier this year, ideally getting involved with parent orientations. Ms. Galvin is considering a 5% increase for prices next year to cover costs. Projected revenue is $104,000. This year has already taken in more than half that with 4 more months of revenue to collect.
There are 11 staff members in addition to the Director. Indirect costs have decreased as Ms. Galvin is only taking dental benefits from the Town. Overall, the budget is down about $20,000.
Mr. Nichols asked about the possible 5% increase in fees, considering the savings.
Ms. Galvin has not officially decided on the increase. The program has full enrollment and there are no concerns of losing revenue. Growth is expected from new housing. Parents also have the option of using the program for drop-in care; for a higher fee, they do not have to commit to full-week care.
7:30 p.m.: Cable Advisory Committee
Paul Mattson was in attendance to present the Cable Advisory Committee budget. The Town Meeting is not in the budget.
There was discussion about the internet and streaming video. Select Board and Finance Committee meetings, as well as the Opioid Program, are currently available on the Town of Rutland’s YouTube channel. Mr. Craine added that the CAC is currently writing policy before publicly announcing the YouTube channel.
Mr. Mattson stated they are working with IT to set up a streaming video service, there have been some difficulties, but they are working toward the goal. A new master controller is needed to replace an out-of-warranty system – will go through bidding. Cable is working off an $85,000 annual budget. They do not anticipate any changes. They are not sure what the master controller will come to cost, but do not anticipate going over the $85,000 budget.
They are working on bringing the equipment up to 2017-2018 standards, hopefully by the end of this fiscal year with the exception of the new master controller.
There was discussion about the issues with getting video streaming up and running. IT is bogged down between two towns; Cable is considering going in their own direction.
Mr. Nichols asked if there are any plans for more entertainment programming. Mr. Mattson is working with Mass Access to download programming from other cable systems such as Worcester and Western MA. CAC is working with Wachusett Regional High School to air chorus performaces, possible basketball games – the broadcasts would come through Holden/Wachusett Channel 194 and would be delayed broadcasts.
Cable is down to three staff, with a fourth member available on occasion. If people are interested in going out and recording, there is the potential for educational programming, classes, etc.
Bay Path and Wachusett both have media production programs – CAC had an intern from Wachusett last year who has gone on to college. Bay Path has a program, but there are currently no Rutland students involved. Two paid positions will be posted before the end of this fiscal year.
Any difference not spent in the budget remains in the Cable Access Fund. Approximately $250,000 must be allocated each year.
7:45 p.m.: RDIC Budget Discussion & Request for Vote of Support on Christopher Heights Assisted Living Concept
Christopher Heights – Before Christopher House will go into in-depth analysis, they want to know if there is true interest in the Town. Doug Briggs, RDIC, is approaching the Select Board, Planning Board, and Finance Committee asking for a vote of support for the “possibility” of an assisted living project. Christopher House would be looking for a $1 million donation toward the building of the facility. If there is interest, Mr. Briggs will bring it to Christopher House to get financial information; if there is no interest then there is no sense in doing all that work. So far, RDIC has the support of the Select Board, Planning Board, and Council on Aging.
Mr. McKinlay moved to support a letter from the Finance Committee stating “we support the concept of an assisted living facility”. Ms. Vernon 2nd.
There was discussion about whether a vote in support would be committing to the $1 million requested by Christopher House. It was clarified that the vote is just to support the concept.
Mr. McKinlay stated this could be an important step to get the Town started on developing the Rutland Heights property.
Motion approved.
RDIC Budget – Mr. Briggs presented the budget. RDIC has not generally needed a budget in the past, but with the involvement in the Rutland Heights property they are requesting a budget of $25,000. At the November 2017 Special Town Meeting, $25,000 was transferred for land surveying, GIS mapping, and engineering – funds have been spent on that project already.
Mr. Briggs would like $25,000 in the budget for availability throughout the year; anything not spent would go back into free cash. It would give the RDIC the ability to react if a situation needs response, i.e. someone wants to buy a parcel. They would have to spend about 5-6% to sell. Historically – 38% spent on legal, 43% on engineering, and 2% on advertising.
There was discussion about funding for planning that would supplement the work needed to prepare parcels for sale; CMRPC provides some funding & additional assistance. Ms. Nartowicz has a call scheduled with a representative from the Federal Economic Development Administration.
There was discussion about the old dump on the Rutland Heights property, and landfill monitoring.
NEW BUSINESS
Review STM Warrant Article
The Finance Committee was provided copies of the proposed bylaw changes regarding a recreational marijuana moratorium.
Ms. Vernon moved to discuss. Mr. McKinlay 2nd.
Regarding the bylaw statement “The Town shall undertake a planning process,” Ms. Vernon asked who is responsible for this.
Ms. Nartowicz stated it would be a combination of public bodies including the Select Board, and Planning Board for a zoning bylaw. There would be a need to sort through multiple categories of marijuana establishments.
There was discussion about the different categories of marijuana establishments and the process of looking at options other than an outright ban. The Town needs time to consider and sort out the options. Establishments could include small cultivation, large cultivation, public establishments (i.e. bars, taverns, clubs).
The Town needs more information from the State. The State has just wrapped up public hearings and applications for businesses will be available April 1st. The STM is scheduled with the April 1st date in mind – STM will be held Monday, March 12, 2018.
Mr. McKinlay moved to recommend voting favorably on the STM bylaw article. Ms. Nahrwold 2nd. Motion approved.
Ms. Nahrwold moved to adjourn. Ms. Vernon 2nd. Vote unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
________________________ Laura Scannell, Secretary
Approved on: ____________
________________________ Lyndon Nichols, Chairman
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