Wellfleet Finance Committee
Minutes of Meeting of February 16, 2006
Senior Center Long Pond Room, 7:00 p.m.
Present: Nancy Bone, Berta Bruinooge, William Carlson, Patricia Foley, Arlene Kirsch, John Makely, Sylvia Smith
Excused: Carl Caruso
Absent: Mac Hay
Vice Chair Patricia Foley called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
New Business
1.) Budget Approval
Finance Committee discussed the $30,000 figure for Legal Counsel for union negotiations, a position at the DPW and the Recreation budget. Berta Bruinooge said that she found the Budget very supportable. From the floor, Interim Fire Chief Dan Silverman requested that FinCom consider his request for the Overtime budget, which was higher than the figure recommended in the Selectmen’s Budget. He was asking because he anticipates falling short in FY07. Bruinooge suggested other ways that this could be handled, saying she was hesitant to increase the current deficit. There was further discussion about ambulance receipts and last year’s Free Cash figure. Silverman said he would do the best as possible with the Overtime figure in the Selectmen’s Budget. Town Administrator Tim Smith supplied
the current Free Cash amount of $356,000. He also informed FinCom of the Town Accountant’s medical condition.
Bruinooge moved to recommend the Selectmen’s Budget of $12,166,143. Makely seconded. The motion carried 7-0.
2.) Formation of Revenue Raising Committee
At the Joint Budget Meetings John Makely had suggested formation of an Ad Hoc committee for exploring ways to generate new revenue and increased revenue. He was looking for volunteers to be on the committee. FinCom members were in favor of the formation of the committee, and Sylvia Smith, Nancy Bone and Arlene Kirsch expressed interest in joining.
3.) Warrant Articles and Comments
FinCom was not ready to make recommendations and comments on the Warrant Articles so far. However, the Town Administrator was present to discuss the Flex Route and other Articles. Tim Smith said that the Flex Route would be an override item because using Free Cash for it would only be good for one year. FinCom said that the route should be started on a trial basis. Possibly the override vote would not carry, so FinCom would rather have the $25,000 for the Flex Route covered by a transfer from Free Cash. Kirsch moved that the Finance Committee send a memo to the Board of Selectmen that the Flex Route be funded through Free Cash. Foley seconded. The motion carried 7-0. Arlene Kirsch will draft the memo to the Selectmen.
Other discussion with the Town Administrator and Silverman concerned snow plowing issues and the Health/Conservation Agent’s Mutual Aid Warrant Article.
Further Warrant Articles will be taken up at the next meeting March 9, 2006.
Old Business
1.) Review of Previous Audits
Berta Bruinooge asked about continuing the practice of auditing different departments each year. Tim Smith along with Finance Committee Chair Carl Caruso had discussed purchasing the Benchmark study, which shows what comparable towns spend on various items. The cost is $3,500. Tim Smith said it could be done for FY07 if some of the Reserve Fund was encumbered. Kirsch said she would like to support the Benchmark service but was not in favor of proceeding with it yet. Tim Smith suggested getting an outside look at the financial departments as a whole when the auditing practice is resumed.
2.) Discussion Concerning Special Town Meeting, Fall 2005
Nancy Bone discussed the condition of the fire station and the liability issues that are entailed with the sleeping quarters, general disrepair, and storage of biohazardous waste materials. Tim Smith said the Town is still negotiating with the Cape Cod Five Bank for the Gutsy Bender property and discussed the possibility of moving forward with this. Nancy Bone will draft a letter to the Selectmen highlighting liability concerns over the present fire station.
3.) 20/20 Survey Analysis
Kirsch said she and John Makely would like to take the study of the survey results off the table until after Town Meeting.
Minutes of 12/15/05 and 2/9/06
Kirsch moved to approve the amended minutes of December 15, 2005. Smith seconded and the motion carried 5-0-2
Nancy Bone moved to approve the minutes of the Joint Budget Meeting with the Selectmen held February 9, 2006. Smith seconded. The motion carried 6-0-1.
Correspondence
The mail included: a memo on mileage allowances; notification of the Cape Cod 5’s withdrawal without prejudice for the drive-through window; the Fire Department’s report for September; a memo on the Warrant Article about Gifts Received by the Town; an Overtime report from the Fire Department; and Activity Reports from various departments.
Other Business
Berta Bruinooge asked that FinCom send Marilyn Crary a get well card and flowers. Arrangements were made for this.
Adjournment
Makely moved to adjourn. Smith seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________ ____________________________
Mary Rogers, Committee Secretary Patricia Foley, Vice-Chair
_______________________(Date)
| 
