Wellfleet Finance Committee
Minutes of Meeting of February 10, 2005
Senior Center Conference Room
Present: Berta Bruinooge, Chair; Nancy Bone, William Carlson, Carl Caruso, Pat Foley, Sylvia Smith,
Absent: Mac Hay, Arlene Kirsch, John Makely
Chair Berta Bruinooge called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Report on BOS Meeting
Carl Caruso reported on the Board of Selectmen meeting Tuesday, February 8. He said the BOS unanimously approved the promotions for the Fire Department. Fire has money in the FY06 budget to cover this. BOS also approved the Harbormaster’s proposed fee raises.
Joint Budget Meeting Wrap-up
FinCom discussed topics to bring up with the Board of Selectmen at the final joint session next Monday, February 14, 2005. Chair Bruinooge’s first concern was overrides. She said it was not good to keep spending the Town’s assets to fund budgets. FinCom considered a hiring freeze and a cap on what could be taken from Reserve Funds.
The Committee considered the position of Water Commissioner that is advertised at $60,000. They discussed continuing with Whitewater on a two-day a week basis vs. a 24/7, on-call Water Department employee, who would need a Town vehicle.
Nancy Bone asked about a position of Finance Director, which had been mentioned at the last joint budget meeting. Chair Bruinooge thought it might be a future position combined with Town Treasurer.
That brought Carl Caruso to his suggestion that BOS and FinCom envision a Five-Year Plan. This could address not only staffing needs but also deal with ways to prevent depleting free cash and the ambulance fund each year with more overrides.
Bruinooge said the two boards should brainstorm for other sources of revenue. One idea that was voted down at Town Meeting – charging a fee for rentals – could be revived.
The Town Administrator has raised fees since he’s been here, but FinCom would also like to see revenue flow sheets so they could look at other items to change.
Carl Caruso discussed the Shellfish’s Department’s use of a Marina trailer last year which then allowed it to get its own trailer this year. Caruso would like to know about resources that could be shared between departments.
Other topics that were mentioned include: Articles that depend upon overrides this year, fireworks, encumbered funds specifically for the Landfill capping, plowing, school enrollment and class size.
The topics that FinCom decided to discuss with the Board of Selectmen are: a five-year plan; Water New Hire; overrides, Reserve Fund, Free Cash & Ambulance Fund depletion, brainstorming for other sources of revenue, more accurate budgeting, and the fireworks. The secretary will send a memo with the list to members before the Feb. 14 meeting with the BOS.
Other Business
Definitions – Chair Bruinooge said that FinCom needed to get back to Tim Smith on the definitions that he provided on a separate list from the Town of Harwich. At the next meeting, February 24, she said FinCom could incorporate his definitions with those the Committee had been working on for the Town Warrant.
New Membership List – With the addition of William Carlson to FinCom, Bruinooge requested that the secretary publish an updated membership list.
CIP Hearing – Members checked the figures for the Capital Improvement Plan hearing advertisement. The hearing is March 10, 2005.
Minutes of Joint Budget Meeting January 31, 2005.
Nancy Bone moved to accept the minutes of the 1/31/05 Joint Budget Meeting. Pat Foley seconded. The minutes were approved 5-0-1 (Caruso abstaining)
Minutes of Financial Committee Meeting January 31, 2005
Carlson moved to accept the minutes as amended; Smith seconded; the minutes were approved 5-0-1 (Caruso abstaining)
Adjournment
Foley moved, Caruso seconded; all approved 6-0; the meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Mary Rogers, Committee Secretary Berta Bruinooge, Chair
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