WELLFLEET FINANCE COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2003, 7:30 P.M.
TOWN HALL HEARING ROOM
Present: Berta Bruinooge, Chair; Carl Caruso, Patricia Foley,
Arlene Kirsch, Sylvia Smith; Birgitta Olson, Clerk.
Regrets: Mac Hay. Absent: Deborah Davis, Anne Suggs.
Due to difficulty in getting a quorum, the meeting was called to order at 8:05 p.m. by Chair Berta Bruinooge.
There were no requests for transfers.
Discussion, First Pre-Budget Meeting.
Members declared themselves somewhat taken aback that more financial issues were not raised and discussed at this meeting.
It was noted that the original impetus for the pre-budget meetings seems to have weakened with the change in membership of the Selectboard. The aim of these meetings was to have been a consideration of a reduction in services in light of ever increasing costs, and because Selectmen did not want to have to raise taxes.
Members agreed that it is good to learn more about departments, but the FinComm is looking for more precise and solid financial data in the context of services rendered. The Committee and Selectmen should not be seduced by the fact that there are more problems and lacks in the town than there is money to fix. The FinComm is not interested in funding departmental wish lists, but in examining whether or not the current level of service can be maintained in the present economy. Department heads should be forced to identify what they desperately need. The Town Administrator should declare: This is what I have to deliver in the way of funding. What do you need within these parameters?
The consensus was that everyone has the responsibility to see that this happens in light of the considerable concern expressed at Town Meeting about how large the Town budget has recently become. The FinComm has the responsibility either to justify expenditures, or if we feel they must be reduced, to work out with Selectmen and Department Heads how this might be possible.
It was noted that departments had level funded for several years under its first Administrator. Members were in agreement that level funding is the very least that can be expected from departments at this time.
The following program was proposed and adopted:
- The Chair should speak with the Town Administrator about
a more precise focus for the remaining pre-budget meetings.
WELLFLEET FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES 9/24/03 2
- The FinComm should meet with Selectmen and the Town
Administrator after the pre-budget meetings are concluded
and before the Selectmen's budget message is developed and published.
- The FinComm should have a clear position on level funding
and possible reduction in some budgets, and criteria should
be very stringent.
- The Committee should prepare its own budget message prior to
Town Meeting and should publish it on the Internet and in
the media.
Liason Reports.
- Carl Caruso reported on the Selectmen's meeting, noting that
Town Counsel has found there is no impediment to including
provisions for later private hook-ups to the municipal water line.
Selectwoman H.M. Wilson has claimed this goes beyond what was approved by the Town Meeting.
- Carl Caruso reported on a meeting of the Land Bank/Open Space Committee, Conservation Commission, and other officials, noting that money is being sought for a walking guide of conservation lands. Arlene Kirsch called attention to the Community Foundation of Cape Cod which awards grant of $1,000, with a deadline of 10/1, and the Kelley Foundation with a deadline of 11/1.
Business.
- The Minutes of the meeting of 8/27/03 were approved, as MOVED by
Caruso, SECONDED by Kirsch, and CARRIED 5-0.
- Mail was reviewed.
- Because of the holidays it was agreed to schedule November and December meetings in the third week: Nov. 19th & Dec. 17th, with
meetings to be held in the Conference Room, Senior Center.
Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Birgitta V. Olson
Committee Secretary
_______________________
Berta Bruinooge, Chair
Approved 10/22/03
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