Wellfleet Finance Committee
Minutes of Meeting of December 20, 2004
Senior Center, Conference Room
Present: Berta Bruinooge, Chair; Nancy Bone, Carl Caruso, Pat Foley, Arlene Kirsch, John Makely, Sylvia Smith
Absent: Mac Hay
Chair Berta Bruinooge called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.
Transfer Request 05-03
Captain Thomas Ferreira and Fire Chief Alan Hight came forward with a unique request. Four 40,000 gallon underground storage tanks are available for free. They are double walled and fiberglass wrapped, certified sound by the towns of Billerica and Waltham Fire Departments. The cost to Wellfleet is for transportation and crane service for removal and delivery of the tanks. The transfer request of $17,070.00 to line 5850.26, fire suppression will cover this cost.
Ferreira explained that a swift approval was necessary because of the state-mandated time frame for tanks once they come out of the ground. Mike Winkler of Truro provided the cost estimate for the two cranes and the convoy to Wellfleet. Once in Wellfleet the tanks will be stored at the sandpit until they can be placed around the town over a period of years. The intended sites for the tanks are: Briar Lane, Kendrick Ave. across from the Bookstore, Old Chequessett Rd. and behind the fire station.
Although completely unforeseen, the opportunity to obtain 40,000 gallon tanks is exceptional, according to Ferreira. Northeast Tank & Environmental Services, Inc. would be scrapping the tanks if Wellfleet does not act upon this chance to obtain them.
Berta Bruinooge said there was $49,700 in available funds to allow a $17,070 transfer.
Arlene Kirsch moved to make the transfer. John Makely seconded. All approved the transfer request 7-0.
Definitions
Pat Foley succeeded in simplifying six of the definitions for the informational handout. FinCom agreed in essence with five other definitions but decided they could be tweaked by e-mail suggestions. Arlene Kirsch and John Makely reminded committee members that the definitions, although condensed, must be correct, without omission of vital information.
Mission Statement
Working from Nancy Bone’s draft mission statement, members merged additional ideas to reflect FinCom’s purpose. The version of the mission statement incorporating these ideas will be e-mailed for further improvement.
Selectmen/FinCom Budget Meeting Schedule
Chair Bruinooge requested that the secretary e-mail reminders to FinCom prior to the Jan. 10 meeting. She also asked that a memo be sent to the Town Administrator asking that FinCom receive the budget when the selectmen get it. This should be early in January.
FinCom would also like copies of the Actual & Anticipated Revenues FY04, dated 9/29/04 or a more current edition, in advance of the joint meetings.
Arlene Kirsch suggested that during the joint meetings FinCom members make notes to be used for the budget message. John Makely volunteered to make a computer chart to facilitate this.
Chair Bruinooge suggested two February meetings since January is filled with the four joint meetings. The Town Administrator’s comments for the Annual Town Meeting Warrant will be ready by then. Also the Town Accountant’s revenue report and projections on overrides will be available by the end of January. FinCom can work on their recommendations and comments at Feb.10 and Feb. 24, 2005 meetings. FinCom will also meet twice in March. A public hearing for the Capital Improvement Plan will be scheduled for March 10, and the regular meeting will be held March 24.
Minutes
Carl Caruso moved to approve the minutes as amended. Sylvia Smith seconded. The minutes were approved as amended 6-0. (John Makely had departed early)
Other Business
Chair Bruinooge, hoping to fill out the ninth seat on FinCom, wishes to seek legal advise on how to get this accomplished.
Berta Bruinooge said she would be going to the Charter Review Committee meeting Dec. 21.
FinCom agreed to reschedule sometime in spring the presentation that Sylvia Smith had arranged for the Brewster speaker.
Nancy Bone said that the Board of Health wants to meet with the FinCom and the Selectmen.
The Committee took a quick look at the Town Administrator’s memo dated 10/18/04 regarding FY06 Budget Direction. He projected $0 for Articles next year. Kirsch suggested that FinCom say to Selectmen from the beginning of budget considerations that any Article dealing with debt exclusion be tied to a ballot question.
Adjournment
Nancy Bone moved; Pat Foley seconded; all voted to adjourn 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Mary Rogers, Committee Secretary Berta Bruinooge, Chair
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