Wellfleet Board of Selectmen/Finance Committee
Minutes of Joint Budget Meeting
January 12, 2006
Senior Center, Long Pond Room
Present:
Board of Selectmen – Dale Donovan, Chair; Jerry Houk, Michael May, Helen Miranda Wilson, Ira Wood
Finance Committee – Carl Caruso, Chair; Berta Bruinooge, Patricia Foley, MacGregor Hay, Arlene Kirsch, John Makely, Sylvia Smith
Excused: William Carlson Absent: Nancy Bone
Also attending: Tim Smith, Town Administrator; Marilyn Crary, Town Accountant
Board of Selectman Chair Dale Donovan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
#241 Building
First to present was Building Inspector Paul Murphy, who reviewed the salaries and wages lines. He answered questions on gas usage and said that the Building Department now shares a vehicle with the Health & Conservation Dept. Arlene Kirsch and Michael May commended Murphy on his work for the Town.
#179 Shellfish and #180 Shellfish Conservation/Propagation
Shellfish Constable Andrew Koch said line items in the Shellfish Budget #179 had been raised 2 ½ or 3 %. Shellfish Conservation/Propagation #180 is level funded. He discussed the rapid deterioration of his department’s trucks due to the salt water. He anticipates the need for a replacement truck next year. Jerry Houk expressed appreciation for Koch’s service to Wellfleet. Berta Bruinooge asked about turning the Shellfish office back into a bath house. Town Administrator Tim Smith said there was no set time frame for this, but there were plans designed for split use of the building.
#610 Library
Elaine McIlroy, Head Librarian, explained decreases in the Library Operating Budget and increases in the wages & salary lines. She said some of the Library expenses are funded by grants, trust funds and Friends of the Library. She detailed new programs by the Youth Librarian, discussed additional computerization and the increase in use with additional Library hours. Ira Wood asked about the expansion for storage space which had been proposed last year. McIlroy said that in four more years the Library could ask for a grant from the State in order to expand. She thanked the DPW for helping install new carpet and rearrange space in the Library. Wood also said he would like to see better bathroom design and cleanliness. McIlroy said she had asked for quotes for new stalls, particularly in the men’s room. Tim Smith said the Town had been looking into contracting out for cleaning services. Smith explained how initial costs of municipal buildings are often very high with the
knowledge that future maintenance money will not necessarily be there.
#210 Police and #215 Communications
Chief Richard Rosenthal and Lieutenant Ronald Fisette came forward to discuss Police and Communications Budgets. Chief Rosenthal said both were level funded. The only increases were contractual obligations with the union. The contract for 3% salary increases is in effect for one more year. Chief Rosenthal and Lieutenant Fisette answered questions about the fuel contract, use of more fuel efficient vehicles and mileage estimates. Helen Wilson thanked Chief Rosenthal for his detailed monthly reports. Both boards asked questions about overtime for the Oyster Festival, the Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks. When John Makely asked about Computerization costs, Chief Rosenthal explained that many of their computers had been obtained through grants which Officer Michael Hurley had written. Chief
Rosenthal urged that the Town put $1,000 in the Emergency Management Fund line. Tim Smith said if the Selectmen declare an emergency, funds can be made available. Arlene Kirsch mentioned the Reserve Fund for unexpected and unforeseen needs that could also fund emergency situations. Helen Wilson asked that in the Town Warrant #215 “Communications” be further described as Communications/Dispatching.
Dale Donovan moved that the Board of Selectmen enter Executive Session and not return to open meeting in order to discuss a legal/personnel issue. Wood seconded the motion. Selectmen May, Houk, Wilson, Wood and Donovan each said yes.
Berta Bruinooge moved that the Finance Committee enter executive session and not return to open meeting. Hay, Makely, Bruinooge, Caruso, Smith, Kirsch and Foley each said yes.
The regular meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Mary Rogers, Committee Secretary
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Carl Caruso, Chair Dale Donovan, Chair
Finance Committee Board of Selectmen
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Jerry Houk
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Michael May
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Helen Miranda Wilson
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Ira Wood
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