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Minutes 09/15/2009
MINUTES
BOARD OF FINANCE
SEPTEMBER 15, 2009
A   REGULAR  MEETING of the Board of Finance was held in the Shuffleboard Room of the Senior Center on Tuesday, September 15, 2009.
Present were Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, Board of Finance members Laurene Pesce, Thomas Scoville, Daniel Farley, James Zeller and Wendy Traub, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, Board of Education Director of Human Resources Bill Joslyn, and Comptroller Alice Proulx.  Board of Finance member Mark Bushka was absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
MINUTES #25
On a motion by Mrs. Traub, seconded by Mrs. Pesce, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held July 21, 2009.  Mr. Farley and Mr. Zeller abstained from the vote.
MINUTES #41
On a motion by Mr. Zeller, seconded by Mr. Farley, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the special joint meeting held with City Council on August 18, 2009.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #48
On a motion by Mr. Farley, seconded by Mr. Zeller, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no one present who wished to speak.
PRESENTATION: BOARD OF EDUCATION #61
To fulfill a statutory requirement, Board of Education Director of Human Resources Bill Joslyn, representing the Teacher Negotiations Committee, announced upcoming negotiations to the Board of Finance as fiscal authority.
He said they have a mediated settlement for the years 2009 to 2012, but have reopened the salary portion for this year. They will begin meeting, with a mediation date of November 6, 2009 and an arbitration date of December 1, 2009. He reminded the Board that a member traditionally attends the negotiations to provide fiscal information as requested.  Mr. Joslyn said that due to the economic conditions we all face the teachers negotiated a salary increase with no step increase. They are currently considering a number of different strategies and hoping for guidance from the Board of Finance. Mayor Bingham asked what range arbitration awards are in at this point.  Mr. Joslyn said he is aware of a similar situation in another town – a small increase and no step increase accomplished through mediation. He further explained that if both sides agree, any other part of the contract can be opened up. Mrs. Pesce asked if there is anything in the contract regarding wages for the other two years. Mr. Joslyn answered that one salary schedule was the only thing negotiated for and they are open to other ideas and incentives. Mr. Zeller asked what the step increases would have cost us. Mr. Joslyn said he would get the information for him and added that it saved the City a considerable amount. Mr. Zeller asked what percentage of teachers are already at the maximum step.
Mr. Joslyn replied the largest portion of our teachers are near or at the maximum step; more than half the staff are either at the maximum or close to it. Mrs. Traub asked the Mayor what concessions were required to get zero percent increases in his negotiations with other unions. Mayor Bingham replied that most of the unions agreed to an additional year on the contract. He added that we won't see any new funding and are looking at the same crunch in the creation of the next fiscal year.
Mrs. Pesce asked about the other two unions at the Board of Education. Mr. Joslyn said the administrators are settled, in year two of a three year contract and non-certified staff are in the last year of their contract which will be negotiated in the spring.
Mrs. Pesce said she doesn't personally foresee a lot changing on the revenue side within City, State, or Federal Government. There's nothing to support wage increases.
Mayor Bingham agreed and said Mrs. Traub is the Board of Education liaison, and that other members are welcome to get involved.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & BOARD MEMBERS #448
On a motion by Mr. Farley, seconded by Mrs. Traub, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Finance.
Mr. Farley-- asked if payments from the Housing Rehab grant fund require Board of Finance approval. Comptroller Proulx said they do not.
Mrs. Traub requested a history of the Vehicle Replacement Grant fund; the City and the taxpayers need to understand what that fund is for and how it gets utilized. Mayor Bingham said the consultant, Mercury, will do an update and he said although we are on the right track, there is still misinformation that needs to be cleared up. Mrs. Traub said they should look into how closely the City is following that plan, and if we got our money's worth.
Mr. Zeller asked for updates on the tax collector issue.
Mayor Bingham said the plan is to obtain a written policy for the Tax Collector to follow, be more vigilant in addressing any issues that arise, and to review the audit that is progressing.

ADJOURNMENT #656
On a motion by Mr. Zeller, seconded by Mr. Scoville, the Board of Finance voted unanimously to adjourn at 5:22 p.m.
ATTEST:  JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
                CITY CLERK                                                                                      Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
       Asst. City Clerk