Finance Committee
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Rutland Library
7:00 p.m.
Finance Committee Present: Lyndon Nichols, Iain McKinlay, Karen Nahrwold, and Tom Ruchala
Finance Committee Absent: Debbie Kristoff, Carl Bindoo, and Sheryl Vernon
Others Present: Margaret Nartowicz – Town Administrator; Seth Knipe – Fire Department, Chief; Nick Monaco – Police Department, Chief; Leroy Clark – Board of Selectmen, Chairman; Laura Scannell – Secretary
Mr. Nichols opened the meeting at 7:01pm
Mr. Ruchala moved to accept the minutes from the October 11, 2017 meeting. Ms. Nahrwold 2nd. Unanimously accepted.
Special Town Meeting Articles
Article 1: FY18 Transfer $14,560.00 from FY18 Dispatch Purchased Services Account to FY18 Dispatch Wages Account
Ms. Nahrwold asked if the appropriated amount will cover overtime. Ms. Nartowicz confirmed the amount has been fluffed to allow for overtime, though overtime is unpredictable to estimate. The Purchased Services account savings were due to IT.
Mr. Ruchala moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Mr. McKinlay 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 2: Transfer $5,256.36 Available Funds (Free Cash) to Ambulance Wages Account
Mr. Ruchala asked for clarification on the new full-time Day Shift position. Per Chief Knipe, the 7th full-time position was budgeted for but not filled nor negotiated into the previous contract. The updated contract includes the position for fire prevention officer. Ms. Nartowicz states the new position will help with overtime/backfill.
Ms. Nahrwold moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Mr. Ruchala 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 3: Appropriation of $86,056.42 Available Funds (Free Cash) to Police Wages Account
There was discussion about full-time police staff numbers. Per Chief Monaco, this article will bring staff numbers to 13 full-time, which will guarantee 2 officer coverage 24/7 with a 1.5 police to population ratio (up from 1.25 previously). The nationwide average is 2.5; even with 13 officers, Rutland will be below neighboring towns.
Ms. Nahrwold moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Mr. Ruchala 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 4: Appropriation of $1,000.00 Available Funds (Free Cash) to Town Clerk Additional Salary Account
Mr. Ruchala moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Mr. McKinlay 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 5: Appropriation of $25,000.000 Available Funds (Free Cash) to provide funds for legal and Land Court fees
There was discussion on whether appropriating this amount will move the town into Land Court and actually bring about results. Ms. Nartowicz stated it will help a great deal; $135,000 of current Free Cash came from Tax Title and real estate collection. There is a court proceeding scheduled for tomorrow morning for properties in the $300,000 category.
Mr. Ruchala moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Mr. McKinlay 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 6: Appropriation of $25,000.00 Available Funds (Free Cash) to fund data collection & environmental review, GIS culvert location mapping, and legal support services for site readiness and development of Rutland Heights for the RDIC
Ms. Nahrwold moved for discussion of the article. Mr. Ruchala 2nd the motion.
There was discussion about the legal support services that would be provided. Town counsel is KP Law. Data collection would be provided by Weston & Sampson in Phase 1, and Jarvis Land Surveying would map GIS culvert locations. Per Ms. Nartowicz, the combination of legal and other services will help ready the site to be put on the market.
There was discussion over spending the money now versus potential buyers wanting to do their own evaluations of environmental concerns. The Town has already spent a lot of money on RFPs with no outcome.
Mr. Ruchala expressed concerns over paying for work that has already been done and redone by state agencies in the past. The drain pipes were put in in the late 1920s with no earthquakes or natural disasters since, they are likely in the same place and there would be no need to map this again.
Mr. Ruchala moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Mr. McKinlay 2nd the motions. Vote 3:1 in favor.
Article 7: Transfer of $8,000.00 appropriated funds from Article 3 of 11/21/16 STM to fund conversion of Town telephone system
Ms. Nartowicz stated the Public Safety building phone system has already been upgraded. The current Town system is over 12 years old with many issues & does not have the features it should. There will be plenty of funding left in the School Network account to cover Wifi funding – only Naquag remains to be wire, hardware has been purchased and $6,000 remains in the account to cover labor costs.
Mr. Ruchala asked for clarification on whether any hardwiring will be left in the buildings for emergencies, such as issues like the ice storm where citizens will need to be able to reach 911 and emergency lines. 911 is separate from this system, and per Chief Knipe the fax lines will remain copper hard lines so if the internet goes down there will be a backup to plug the phones into. Public Safety also has battery and backup generators.
The Article covers conversion for Community Hall, the Annex, DPW, the library, and the Council on Aging.
Mr. Ruchala moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Mr. McKinlay 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 8: Appropriation of $5,534.00 Available Funds (Free Cash) to purchase twenty (20) weapons and holsters for PD
There was discussion of whether any weapons will be traded in as part of the purchase. Per Chief Monaco, the department is trading in 20 old weapons for 20 new Glocks. The trade-in verbiage will be included in the motion handout sheet at the meeting.
Mr. Ruchala moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Mr. McKinlay 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 9: Appropriation of $5,905.00 Available Funds (Free Cash) to purchase five (5) bullet proof vests with placards for PD
Ms. Nartowicz stated they will be submitting for a grant reimbursement, which will be noted under the motion on the handout. About half of the amount will be reimbursed and will go into next year's Free Cash.
Mr. Ruchala moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Mr. McKinlay 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 10: Appropriation of $2,347.00 Available Funds (Free Cash) to purchase one (1) mobile laptop unit for PD
Chief Monaco elaborated on the article to state that the mobile units will be used in the cruisers, allowing officers to access the database, run plates, and respond to dispatch via the computer instead of the radio. The laptop comes with a docking station which will allow officers to remove it from the cruiser and bring into the station to do reports.
Mr. Ruchala moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Mr. McKinlay 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 11: Appropriation of $1,000.00 Available Funds (Free Cash) for Vital Records preservation for Town Clerk’s office
Mr. Ruchala moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Ms. Nahrwold 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 12: Appropriation of $9,384.00 Available Funds (Free Cash) to be replenish the Reserve Fund Account
Mr. Ruchala moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Mr. McKinlay 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 13: CAPITAL – Appropriation of $66,360.00 Available Funds (Water Enterprise Free Cash) to purchase and equip a new Water Department Utility Truck
There was discussion over concerns that new vehicles are being purchased with the intention of disposing of old vehicles, but the old vehicles are not disposed of or are refurbished in-house for continued use. Mr. Nichols believes it is not forthcoming to say a vehicle can't be repaired, but then to do the repairs in-house. Ms. Nartowicz stated a policy has been put in place regarding surplus equipment disposal – the 2006 Ford F250 Van will be disposed of. The article can be amended to include statement of disposal for the old vehicle.
The new vehicle will be used by the Water Department to plow out their facilities and water towers; the DPW currently plows them out but with new developments and increasing road miles, the DPW will be stretched thin this winter.
Mr. McKinlay moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Mr. Ruchala 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 14: CAPITAL – Appropriation of $66,979.55 Available Funds (Free Cash) to purchase and equip a new Pick-up Truck with Brush Slide-in and Plow for FD
The addition of this vehicle will give the Fire Department two of this type of vehicle, this one will have a plow. There was discussion over adding the task of plowing the station to the Fire Department while it is typically a DPW job – this should help free up the DPW to take better care of the roads.
Mr. Ruchala moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Mr. McKinlay 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 15: Appropriation of $44,418.90 Available Funds (Free Cash) to the Capital Stabilization Fund
Mr. Ruchala moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Ms. Nahrwold 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 16: Appropriation of $44,418.90 Available Funds (Free Cash) to the Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust Fund
Mr. Ruchala moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Ms. Nahrwold 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 17: Appropriation of $44,418.90 Available Funds (Free Cash) to the Stabilization Fund
Mr. Ruchala moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Ms. Nahrwold 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 18: Amend Town By-laws portion “GENERAL PROVISIONS”
Mr. Ruchala asked why this is being presented at the Special Town Meeting as opposed to the Annual Town Meeting. Per Ms. Nartowicz, this is part of a comprehensive codification of the Bylaws which will come to the Spring meeting as well. In the past, the town has done it both ways.
Ms. Nahrwold moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Mr. McKinlay 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 19: Amend Town By-laws portion “TOWN MEETINGS”
There was discussion over moving the meeting day from Saturday to Wednesday and whether this would be more or less convenient. The Board of Selectmen and Town Clerk have met and discussed this, finding there have been comments in favor of both sides.
Ms. Nartowicz stated revenue predictions can be better refined by holding the Annual Town Meeting later. If passed, the change will go into effect in the coming year.
Ms. Nahrwold moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Mr. McKinlay 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 20: Amend Town By-laws portion “FINANCIAL AFFAIRS – Licenses and Permits of Delinquent Taxpayers By-law”
Mr. Ruchala moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Ms. Nahrwold 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 21: Amend Town By-laws portion “Revolving Funds, Section 6”
Mr. Ruchala moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Ms. Nahrwold 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 22: Amend Town By-laws portion “LEGAL AFFAIRS, Section 4”
Mr. Ruchala moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Mr. McKinlay 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 23: Amend Town By-laws portion “COUNCIL ON AGING, Section 2”
The Board opted to change the wording to give more flexibility, "up to seven" members are needed to reach a possible quorum. Legal recommended changing "citizens" to "registered voters." Mr. Ruchala questioned whether there is any state law requiring someone must be registered voter to serve on a council or committee. Ms. Nartowicz will research further.
Ms. Nahrwold moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Mr. McKinlay 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Article 24: Public Way Acceptance – Michael Drive
Ms. Nahrwold asked for clarification on whether the Fire Department approves the road for acceptance. Chief Knipe stated approval – there are no hydrants on the road, water would be brought in by truck for any fires.
Ms. Nahrwold moved to favorably recommend article for approval as written. Mr. McKinlay 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
Mr. Ruchala moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Nahrwold 2nd the motion. Unanimously accepted.
The meeting adjourned at 8:02 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________________ Laura Scannell, Secretary
Approved on: _______________________
___________________________________ Lyndon Nichols, Chairman
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