Wellfleet Finance Committee
Minutes of the Meeting of July 15, 2003
Town Hall Hearing Room
Present: Berta Bruinooge, Chair; Arlene Kirsch, Macgregor Hay, Patricia Foley, Sylvia Smith
Excused: Anne Suggs, Deborah Davis, Birgitta Olson, Secretary
Chair Bruinooge convened the meeting at 8:23 p.m.
Tranfers from the Reserve Fund:
#03-12: Beach Program Salaries and Wages. Berta Bruinooge disclosed that she is a part-time employee at the Beach Sticker office; she invoked the Rule of Necessity in order to maintain the quorum necessary for voting on this item. Suzanne Thomas explained this request for money to cover lifeguard and beach workers' salaries; in addition to the expense of the Surf and Rescue Training program, the first 3 days of the beach program coincided with the last 3 days of the fiscal year. She noted that "riptides, sharks, and full beaches required extra lifeguards for the first three days of the program"; the program costs $1800/day seasonally. Arlene Kirsch moved and Macgregor Hay seconded approval of Transfer #03-12 to transfer $9911 to
Beach Salaries and Wages; the motion carried unanimously, 5-0.
#03-13: Snow Removal. Town Accountant Marilyn Crary appeared to explain this request for $10,000 to apply to the deficit, "reducing the amount to be raised (deficit) on the 2004 Recap." She noted that she anticipated some free cash, that she did not have the figure from Cape Tech but that some money would be coming back. (Members requested a report on this when available.) Patrica Foley moved and Sylvia Smith seconded approval of Transfer #03-13 to transfer $10,000 to Snow Removal; the motion carried unanimously, 5-0.
Other Business:
Chair Bruinooge informed the committee that Tim Smith had asked the FinCom to decide on its preference for dates of projected joint Fall budget meetings of the BOS-FinCom. The Committee decided that Tuesday nights, September 16 and 30 and October 7 and 21, would be preferable.
Bruinooge announced that she had spoken to Moderator Dan Silverman regarding the FinCom need for two new members immediately and a further need to replace two others who have spoken of retiring from the Committee in the near future.
Bruinooge noted a letter concerning the joint meeting of the Finance Committees of the four towns to discuss the Nauset School Budget; this will take place on July 17 at 7:00 p.m. at Eastham Town Hall. She invited all to attend.
Arlene Kirsch reported on the Board of Selectmen's meeting. The BOS plans to put together an Affordable Housing Task Force but has not yet written its charge and, therefore, have not voted on the matter. Kirsch questioned whether the establishment of this group should be a Town Meeting function; she noted that the BOS did not agree, since any land swap with the seashore (a proposed part of the group's mission) would need a Town Meeting vote.
Kirsch stated that the Selectmen are considering a 3-year (rather than annual) licensing of businesses and that Tim Smith is considering a plan for phasing in such a system. Rationale for the projected change included the amount of staff time spent on licensing and the tardiness of many business applications for licenses. Since the BOS is looking for public input, Kirsch suggested sending a FinCom opinion.
Kirsch also mentioned the Town's progress on the review and possible reorganization of some town positions. After the consultant has completed his study, Tim Smith is to come before the BOS with any proposals. Charter change proposals will come before Town Meeting.
Liaison Patricia Foley reported upon and discussed the recent Personnel Board meeting with the consultant on reclassification. Foley expressed concern about the fiscal repercussions to the Town of any changes proposed; she also questioned Personnel Board's exact role and function per her reading of the Charter and the Personnel By-law.
Next Meeting. The next meeting was set for August 27, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Hearing Room. Agenda topics mentioned were FinCom liaison assignments and discussion of town departments in preparation for budget meetings.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________ _____________________________
Frances J. Castillo, Assistant to the Berta Bruinooge, Chair
Committee Secretary _________________________Date
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