MINUTES
BOARD OF FINANCE
AUGUST 23, 2011, Adjourned from August 16, 2011
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Finance was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Tuesday, August 23, 2011, having been adjourned from August 16, 2011.
Present were Mayor Ryan Bingham, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, Board of Finance members Laurene Pesce, Thomas Scoville, Daniel Farley, Brian Paganini and Wendy Traub, 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
On a motion by Mrs. Pesce, seconded by Mr. Paganini, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on July 19, 2011. Mr. Farley and Mr. Scoville abstained.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Mr. Farley, seconded by Mrs. Traub, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no one who wished to speak.
FINAL BUDGET MODIFICATIONS FROM FY11/12
On a motion by Mrs. Traub, seconded by Mr. Farley, the board voted unanimously to approve final budget modifications for fiscal year 2011/2012 as identified in the Comptroller's Memo of August 11, 2011, having been approved by City Council on August 15, 2011.
Mr. Scoville asked what the salary reduction was, and Mayor Bingham explained it is 2/3 of a position in the Registrar's Office, including the FICA and Blue Cross premium.
Mrs. Proulx explained that the $7000 regular wages reduction occurred when Probate was budgeted for. There were costs included in City Hall that will be paid for out of Probate, so City Hall expenses were reduced.
Mrs. Pesce asked about the general insurance premium, and Mayor Bingham said it is CIRMA, our Liability, Auto, Property and Workman's Compensation carrier. Through this new program, similar to a dividend program, the City received an early estimate of $64,000 to be returned.
Mrs. Traub asked if the Registrar's Office will continue giving the same service with the staffing we have now, and if there are means to offer additional training for future needs. Mayor Bingham said the Registrar's Office has the ability to fill a part time position for 20 hrs. per week. Money and stipends are available to create two unaffiliated positions, a full and part time. He said they also have money to give stipends for a Deputy Republican and Deputy Democrat Registrar and will still be able to bring someone in, and have them well trained. Mayor Bingham said if the Registrars can offer a convincing argument next budget season that they need another full time position during the next presidential election, the part time position can go to full time. He assured Mrs. Traub that
there is time and money available for training.
Mrs. Pesce asked if we expect fewer evictions. Mrs. Proulx said the eviction fund has a balance in it that will carry us through the next year, based on historical information. Mayor Bingham said we have a good evictions system held together by people who go above and beyond. Compared to other communities who have much higher expenses for evictions, we're in good shape, he said. Mrs. Pesce asked if $10,000 was being added back in. Mayor Bingham said during the budget process he explained he would take $10,000 from the Boards and Agencies, and this evictions reduction is part of that.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & BOARD MEMBERS
On a motion by Mrs. Traub, seconded by Mr. Scoville, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and the Board of Finance.
Mr. Farley asked how the Police Station Roof is coming along. Mayor Bingham said he hasn't heard of any major issues and thinks it's going well.
Mrs. Traub addressed the issue of our roadway islands' flowers, taken care of by the Beautification Committee. Mayor Bingham said if something starts as a volunteer effort, it should remain a volunteer effort. This has been a communication issue lately, he said, as the Beautification efforts have been taken for granted. He explained that the watering issue can be addressed if necessary, but that will hamper Parks and Recreation staff from their other duties. At this point, he said, it would be financially prudent for the City to have this remain a volunteer effort thanks to the generosity of the community.
No other business was presented from the Board.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mrs. Pesce, seconded by Mr. Farley, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 5:15 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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