Wellfleet Finance Committee
Minutes of Meeting of March 21, 2005
Senior Center Conference Room
Present: Berta Bruinooge, Chair; Nancy Bone, William Carlson, Carl Caruso,
Pat Foley, Arlene Kirsch, John Makely, Sylvia Smith
Excused: Mac Hay
Chair Berta Bruinooge called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Transfer Request 05-08 DPW Operating Budget for Freightliner tractor
Assistant DPW Director Kevin Cahoon explained the need for replacing the engine in this back-up truck which is used to haul refuse to the Bourne landfill and SEMASS two or three times per week. After some discussion of the costs involved, Arlene Kirsch moved to approve the requested transfer of $8,000. John Makely seconded.
All voted to approve the transfer to #420 DPW 8-0.
Open Space/Land Bank Presentation
Robert Hubby, Chairman of the Open Space Committee, came forward to present information. He disclosed that he is a member of the Chequessett Country and Yacht Club; therefore, he asked if FinCom had any objections to him as presenter. No one objected.
Hubby handed out spreadsheets that projected Land Bank figures until the year 2019. He also distributed detailed summary sheets to review Land Bank monies and the transition to the Community Preservation Act. Maps and pictures of the 25-acre property by the Herring River and the 4.63 acre Geiger property were provided.
Hubby reviewed the figures with FinCom. Funding would come from Town Land Bank revenues, not Town budgets. Hubby also answered questions regarding hazardous materials that had been dumped at a nearby site, use of the preserve for “passive recreation,” and Americorps volunteers available for trail development. He stated that the Article to acquire the land is not tied to the Herring River Restoration project. He invited FinCom members to a site walk on Saturday, March 26 from 2 to 4 p.m.
R. Dennis O’Connell, Chair of the Wellfleet Conservation Trust, explained the significance of the location of the Geiger property which abuts Conservation Trust land and the Fox Island Marsh Conservation Area managed by the State Department of Fish and Game. A Town Meeting vote is needed for the purchase of the property although no funding will come from Town budgets.
Comments for Warrant Articles
Chair Berta Bruinooge noted that the snow plowing Articles had been taken out of the Warrant. Group Health Insurance numbers were not yet in, but the added amount was anticipated at $40,000 - $50,000. Also the Town Administrator plans to make a transfer request from Free Cash to complete the Town Hall parking lot septic system and paving project. This means a General Budget Override of around $365,000. Marilyn Crary suggested that the figures could be higher – possibly up to $500,000.
Arlene Kirsch made a motion to revisit the recommendations for Articles 22 and 23. Carl Caruso seconded the motion.
FinCom agreed to reconsider these Articles 8-0.
Nancy Bone entertained the motion to recommend the Herring River 25-Acre Open space Purchase of Article 22. Bill Carlson seconded the motion.
All agreed to recommend the Article 8-0.
Caruso moved to recommend Article 23, the Geiger Purchase; John Makely seconded.
FinCom voted to recommend the Article 8-0.
Returning in sequence to Article 1 of Special Town Meeting, FinCom had a number of questions on the Computerization figures. They discussed options for dealing with this and finally decided to revisit their vote to recommend the Article. Kirsch made a motion to revisit Article 1 for Special Town Meeting. John Makely seconded the motion.
All voted to revisit the Article 8-0.
Carl Caruso made a motion to reserve recommendation; Sylvia Smith seconded.
FinCom voted to reserve recommendation of Article 1 until Special Town Meeting 7-0-1 (Foley abstaining)
No comments were deemed necessary for Article 2 of STM.
There were several suggestions for the Budget notes for Annual Town Meeting. John Makely handed out a chart from the Cape Cod Times (March 20, 2005). He would like to see some of the information on the average single-family tax bill for Wellfleet put into the Budget message. He wanted to insert a comment that FinCom continues to see that taxpayers are getting the most for their money. Other suggestions included that:
1.) FinCom had hard choices to make in terms of raising fees and maintaining services even though that means an override; 2.) FinCom has taken opportunities for seeking new sources of revenue and has met with Town departments for ideas; and 3.) FinCom is also open to suggestions from the citizens of Wellfleet. The Budget remarks and comments on other Articles will be sent around by e-mail for tweaking.
Chair Bruinooge asked Selectman Dale Donovan, who was attending the meeting, about a proposed rental registration fee. Donovan said it was not in this Warrant. Makely recommended finding ways to tap into the creative thinking skills of the Non-Resident Taxpayers Association. He felt that brainstorming with them would generate some new ideas for increasing revenue.
Articles 5, 7, 12, 14 and 20 received comments that will be e-mailed for suggested revisions and sent back to Berta Bruinooge for finalization for the Warrant.
A new Article for funds for Land Bank appraisals was considered. Caruso made a motion to recommend the Article; John Makely seconded the motion.
All voted to recommend the Article 8-0.
Minutes of March 10, 2005
John Makely moved to approve the minutes of 3/10/05. Smith seconded. The minutes were approved 8-0.
Adjournment
Kirsch moved; Makely seconded; and all moved to adjourn 8-0.
The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Mary Rogers, Committee Secretary Berta Bruinooge, Chair
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