Wellfleet Finance Committee
Minutes of Meeting of August 25, 2005
Senior Center Long Pond Room
Present: Berta Bruinooge, Chair; William Carlson, Carl Caruso, Pat Foley, Arlene Kirsch, John Makely, Sylvia Smith
Excused: Nancy Bone, Mac Hay
Chair Berta Bruinooge called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Reorganization
The Committee needed to elect a new chairman as Berta Bruinooge had announced she would not re-up as chair. Pat Foley was willing to stay in place as vice-chair but was unwilling to accept a nomination to be chair. Sylvia Smith was willing to remain clerk. Arlene Kirsch nominated Carl Caruso for the chairman position. Foley seconded. Caruso said he would serve for one year. The motion to elect him chair carried 6-0-1.
Marina Enterprise Fund
Caruso read M.G.L. 44 §53 F.5 Enterprise Funds which states that towns can request payment in lieu of taxes from enterprise funds. He would like to recommend to the selectmen that this is an avenue of revenue to investigate. He will draft a memo to the BOS, the Town Administrator and the Marina Advisory Board suggesting this.
MMA
There was a discussion of the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s notice regarding the crisis in municipal health care costs. Arlene Kirsch moved that FinCom send to Representatives Shirley Gomes and Rob O’Leary letters in support of the Mass. Taxpayers Foundation report that calls for reform. Smith seconded the motion. Discussion followed that the proposal called for establishment of a “local body” to set the plan design, pricing structures and benefit alternatives for health care insurance. There was a consensus that the Town Administrator should receive a memo that FinCom would send letters to the Representatives.
Computerization Project
Berta Bruinooge distributed a one-page survey for department heads concerning computers and their use. Additional questions were added to the survey as well as a return date of Sept. 15 and a space for comments. The project’s goal was restated that FinCom is checking to see that the town is getting its money’s worth for what it is spending on Computerization.
Survey Results
Arlene Kirsch raised some questions regarding the 20/20 Survey results. She and John Makely will study the “Findings” booklet. She would also like a CD of the complete data collected.
Minutes of 7/28/05
Pat Foley moved to approve the minutes of July 28, 2005. Carlson seconded. Members voted to approve the minutes 5-0.
Other Business
- Bruinooge would like FinCom to receive minutes from the following other committees: ConsCom, BOH, ZBA and Planning Board. In the past hard copies were placed in the FinCom mail, and she would like that practice continued.
- Town Accountant Marilyn Crary was present to answer any questions about the Certified Free Cash spreadsheet that she and her assistants had prepared at FinCom’s request.
- Arlene Kirsch asked that FinCom members give the Charter Review Committee feedback on suggested Charter changes regarding structuring in the financial area.
- Carl Caruso reported back on the Marina this summer without use of the boat ramp. More boats owners are paying to stay at transient slips. At the gas dock diesel fuel sales are up, but gasoline sales are down.
- Bruinooge reported that the July beach revenue figures were not in for comparison with last year.
- Caruso had follow-up information on the near-accident that occurred at the Fourth of July parade. There is no procedure in place for checking vehicle entrants in the parade. Berta Bruinooge will draft a memo to the BOS suggesting that something be implemented for future events.
- Caruso had heard that there were houses within the National Seashore that were not being taxed. This was suggested as a topic for the next meeting September 22.
Adjournment
Makely moved, Kirsch seconded, and all voted to adjourn 7-0.
Chair Bruinooge adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Mary Rogers, Committee Secretary Berta Bruinooge, Chair
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