Finance Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday May 3, 2018
Rutland Public Library
7:00 p.m.
Present: Lyndon Nichols, Sheryl Vernon, Iain McKinlay, Tom Ruchala, Carl Bindoo
Absent: Karen Nahrwold, Deb Kristoff
Others: Margaret Nartowicz – Town Administrator, Leroy Clark – Select Board Chair, Sheila Dibb – Select Board, Laura Scannell – Secretary
Mr. Nichols opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was recorded by local cable Channel 191.
MINUTES
Ms. Vernon moved to approve meeting minutes from April 26, 2018 as presented. Mr. Ruchala 2nd. Vote unanimous.
General FY19 Budget Discussion
Ms. Nartowicz provided the abbreviated Town Meeting budget in the format voted on last year.
There was discussion on which budget the Finance Committee would vote on. Mr. Nichols recommended including all requested budget items to show department needs and that there would be significant cuts.
Updating the "FY19 Requested Budget" column will increase the bottom line another $100,000. The recommended budget column shows potential reduction in the WRSD amount over minimum to close the gap. There was discussion about Bay Path assessments – cherry sheet shows an aid increase of $99,388. If Bay Path revised assessments, Rutland's share would decrease $3,369.25.
There was discussion about what the other district Towns plan to do with the WRSD budget and possible effects on Rutland's share.
Ms. Nartowicz stated the only way to leave Town Meeting with a balanced budget would require a proposal to reduce the WRSD budget by $133,404.16.
Mr. Bindoo asked how the increase over minimum compares to other district towns. Rutland's increase is 20.2%; Ms. Nartowicz stated Holden went up 20.5%, Paxton up 17.4% - other towns come in lower than Rutland.
There was discussion about the Town Planner position and streamline permitting software. Mr. Ruchala asked whether those items would be able to stay on the budget by taking Free Cash. There was discussion about the Free Cash base.
Sheila Dibb, Select Board, joined the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Ms. Nartowicz stated that the Town Planner position in the recommended budget would be paid comparably with other towns & would be likely to attract candidates with some experience.
Mr. Ruchala recommended adding the total funds for the Town Planner and software and increasing the appropriation from Free Cash.
Ms. Dibb suggested putting the Town Planner and software on the Fall Town meeting; Ms. Nartowicz stated the Town would lose out on 6 months of the implementation grant by waiting.
Mr. Ruchala moved to recommend adding the Town Planner and permitting software back into the budget. Mr. Bindoo 2nd. Motion passed 4-1.
STM/ATM Warrant Articles
STM Article 1 – Snow & Ice Deficit
Mr. Bindoo moved to recommend favorably. Ms. Vernon 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Annual Town Meeting Articles
Article 2 – to fix the salaries or compensation of elected Town Officers.
Ms. Nartowicz stated the amounts would have to be reconsidered in the case of contingent reductions. Town Clerk salary would be reduced by $4,305.60. Ms. Nartowicz can talk to the Town Moderator about taking the articles out of order.
Mr. Ruchala moved to recommend favorably. Ms. Vernon 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Article 3 – to raise and appropriate $453,047.00 to defray the expenses of the Southern Worcester County Regional Vocational School Assessment.
Mr. Bindoo moved to recommend favorably. Mr. Ruchala 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Article 4 – to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,954,143.00 to defray the expenses of the Wachusett Regional School District Minimum Local Contribution.
Mr. Ruchala moved to recommend favorably. Ms. Vernon 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Article 5 – to raise and appropriate the sum of $610,209.00 to defray the expenses of the Wachusett Regional School District Debt Service Assessment.
Mr. Bindoo moved to recommend favorably. Ms. Vernon 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Article 6 – to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,025,355.00 to defray the expenses of the Wachusett Regional School Distruct Transportation Assessment.
Mr. Bindoo moved to recommend favorably. Mr. Ruchala 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Article 7 – to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,472,920.00 to defray the expenses of the Wachusett Regional School District Operations Assessment.
Ms. Vernon moved to make an unfavorably recommendation. Mr. Ruchala 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Article 7 Amendment – to reduce the amount to be raised and appropriated by the sum of $133,404.16 so that the sum total of $3,339,515.84 shall be raised and appropriated to defray the expenses of the Wachusett Regional School District Operations Assessment.
Ms. Vernon moved to amend article 7 to reduce the amount to be raised and appropriated by the sum of $133,404.16. Mr. Bindoo 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Article 8 – to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,548,413.16, appropriate from Free Cash the sum of $150,000, and transfer from the Holden Hospital Trust Fund the sum of $19,590.00 for the sum total of $6,718,003.16 to defray the expenses of Municipal Departments (FY19 Recommended Budget).
Mr. Bindoo moved to recommend favorably. Mr. Ruchala 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Article 8 (Alternate) – to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,415,009.00, appropriate from Free Cash the sum of $199,111.04, and transfer from the Holden Hospital Trust Fund the sum of $19,590.00 for the sum total of $6,633,710.04 to defray the expenses of Municipal Departments (FY19 Contingent Redutions).
Ms. Nartowicz will revise the motion and explanations to indicate change to Free Cash total appropriation.
Mr. Bindoo moved to recommend favorably. Mr. Ruchala 2nd. Vote unanimous.
There was discussion about including the expected $79,000 reduction from the school in the explanation under the amendment to Article 7.
Article 9 – to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,386,535.56, transfer the sum of $3,485.87 from the Department of Public Works Garage Construction Account, and transfer the sum of $1,000 from the Purchase of Land Fund for the sum total of $2,408,794.83 to defray the expenses of Debt Service.
Mr. Bindoo moved to recommend favorably. Mr. McKinlay 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Article 10 – to appropriate funds from Water Enterprise Revenues to operate the Water Enterprise for FY19, and that $114,340.63 be appropriated from the Water Enterprise Revenues to the General Fund for indirect expenses, and $66,457.35 be appropriated from Water Enterprise Revenues to the Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust Fund.
Mr. Bindoo moved to recommend favorably. Ms. Vernon 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Article 11 – to appropriate funds from the Sewer Enterprise Revenues to operate the Sewer Enterprise for FY19, and that $45,412.20 be appropriated from Sewer Enterprise Revenues to the General Fund for indirect expenses, and $13,113.53 be appropriated from Sewer Enterprise Revenues to the Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust Fund.
Mr. Bindoo moved to recommend favorably. Ms. Vernon 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Article 12 – to appropriate the sum of $130,000.00 from PEG Access and Cable Related Fund to fund PEG Access and Cable Related operations for FY19, and to authorize the Cable Advisory Committee to expend such appropriation, and to revert all funds at the close of such fiscal year back to the PEG Access and Cable Related Fund.
Mr. Ruchala moved to recommend favorably. Mr. Bindoo 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Article 17 – to transfer from the Naquag Green Project Fund the sum of $11,525.00 to fund the Town's portion of a parking lot repair project at the Early Childhood Center and District Office with a project budget of $50,000.
Ms. Vernon moved to discuss. This article was tabled last week due to questions over whether the funds should be used toward Rutland schools. Ms. Dibb stated Rutland students attend the Early Childhood Center. The amount requested is based on the assessment formula.
There was discussion about whether the parking lot is a building expense versus a district expense. The building houses administrative staff for the district and early childhood education for the district.
Mr. Bindoo moved to recommend favorably. Mr. McKinlay 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Article 18 – to appropriate the sum of $148,320 to fund the Town’s portion of the cost of the $600,000.00 turf field replacement project at the Wachusett Regional High School, provided, however, that the appropriation authorized hereunder shall be expressly contingent upon approval by the voters of the Town of a Proposition 2 ½, so-called capital expenditure exclusion question.
There was discussion about capital expenditure exclusions compared to debt exclusions. Tax impact sheets and calculators are available on the Town website. The field requires $70,000 in annual maintenance, with an 8-year warranty. All sports and gym classes use the field.
Mr. Bindoo moved to recommend favorably. Mr. Ruchala 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Article 22 – to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into contracts for goods and services with duration in excess of three (3) years under the provisions of MGL Chapter 30B, Section 12, paragraph (b).
Ms. Nartowicz stated the Board of Selectmen voted to put a cap on the number of years of contract to be not more than 10 years. She will ask legal about changing the wording versus adding an amendment.
Mr. Bindoo moved to make an unfavorable recommendation. Mr. Ruchala 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Ruchala moved to recommend favorably if language is added to the main motion for a 10-year cap. Ms. Vernon 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Bylaw articles were presented with Town Counsel comments; the Bylaw Subcommittee has been informed no changes may be made beyond what legal recommends will be allowed.
Article 26 – to amend the General Bylaws by amending the section titled “Finance Committee”.
Mr. Bindoo moved to recommend favorably. Ms. Vernon 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Legal noted duplicate language that may be removed; clean copies will be provided as a handout at ATM.
Article 27 – to amend the General Bylaws by amending the section titled “Town Meetings”.
There was discussion about changing the Town Meeting date and the timing of the Town Election. There was discussion about the reduced speaking time.
Mr. Bindoo moved to recommend favorably. Mr. McKinlay 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Article 28 – to amend the General Bylaws by adding a section titled “Membership Requirement”.
Mr. Bindoo moved to recommend favorably. Mr. McKinlay 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Article 29 – to amend the General Bylaws by amending the section titled “Accounting and Collecting”.
Ms. Nartowicz elaborated that this brings back a bylaw proposal from a previous meeting that was rejected by the Attorney General's office. The former proposal left time periods for Tax Title Payment open-ended; the Attorney General's office left open-ended to give the towns the ability to set their own timeline. The proposed bylaw changes bring it to compliance with State law.
Mr. Bindoo moved to recommend favorably. Mr. McKinlay 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Article 30 – to amend the General Bylaws by adding a section titled “Stretch Code”.
There was discussion about the Stretch Code Bylaw. The bylaw is one of five criteria the Town needs to meet to become eligible for Green Communities designation. This will allow the Town to apply for and receive grants for energy efficiency improvements.
Mr. Bindoo moved to recommend favorably. Ms. Vernon 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Article 31 – Citizen Petition – to adopt Chapter 41 Section 97A of the Massachusetts General Laws, also known as the Strong Chief statute, relating to the Powers and Duties of the Chief of Police.
There was discussion about the Strong Police and Strong Fire Chief statutes and their implications. The Strong Police Chief statute does not get rid of oversight, policies are still subject to Select Board review.
The Select Board does not vote on the citizen petition, the petition must be included on the warrant.
Mr. Bindoo moved to recommend taking no action on the article. Ms. Vernon 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Article 32 – Citizen Petition – to name the Town Building Department Office after long-time Building Inspector, Mr. Harry C. Johnston, Jr.
Mr. Bindoo doesn't believe this needs to come before the Finance Committee, should be a Board of Selectmen/Town Administrator responsibility.
Mr. Bindoo moved to recommend favorably. Ms. Vernon 2nd. Vote unanimous.
There was discussion about the upcoming Pre-Town Meeting Budget Forum on Monday May 7th. Ms. Nartowicz requested a representative of the Finance Committee attend and speak.
Mr. Bindoo moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Vernon 2nd. Vote unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________ Laura Scannell, Secretary
Approved on: __________
______________________ Lyndon Nichols, Chairman
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