Wellfleet Finance Committee
Minutes of Meeting of January 25, 2007
Senior Center, Conference Room, 7:00 p.m.
Present: Patricia Foley, Berta Bruinooge, William Carlson, Mac Hay, Arlene Kirsch, John Makely, Sylvia Smith
Absent: Nancy Bone
Vice-Chair Patricia Foley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Reorganization
No one accepted a nomination to become Chairman to replace Carl Caruso, who departed from Wellfleet this month. Patricia Foley will continue as Acting Chair until after Town Meeting in April. FinCom will send Town Moderator Harry Terkanian a letter explaining that 1.) there is a position that needs to be filled as soon as possible, 2.) Foley will serve as Acting Chair for a limited time, and 3.) the terms of three members will expire in June 2007, possibly creating more vacancies. Town Administrator Tim Smith will receive a copy of this letter.
The liaison positions held by Carl Caruso were filled. John Makely will take over as liaison to the Board of Selectmen. Carlson will be liaison to DPW and the CPC. Bruinooge suggested that all committees send by email copies of minutes and Department Heads send monthly reports to keep FinCom apprised of their activities. The Committee Secretary will attend to this.
Recap of Budget Presentation
Makely distributed background material for the fire station. He had prepared a breakdown of Wellfleet’s population by age, a consideration in Fire Department planning.
Tim Smith had provided a memo in regard to the Shellfish Department’s replacement cycle for its trucks. FinCom members decided to do further research with shellfishermen, the Shellfish Committee and a local auto repair shop regarding the estimated costs.
FinCom studied the IT position hand-out from Administration, comparing a full time person with a consultant. The Committee said that added to the full time IT position job description should be the skill of training staff. The Secretary will send a memo to the TA and Assistant TA with a copy to the Selectmen to that effect.
FinCom discussed the Budget Session of January 17, 2007. They were not pleased about the Stabilization Fund because the Town would be spending its savings. Kirsch, for the record, commented on the transfer that had been pulled out at Fall Town Meeting. There are more funds that are needed, she said. Bruinooge pointed out that all the small expense budget lines add up to large figures very quickly. Bruinooge also noted that several departments did not come in at 3% budget. She said that the 2010 projections pointed towards cuts or higher taxes. Foley said FinCom should come back to the next meeting with suggestions.
Report on Exit Audit Management Letter
Sylvia Smith reported that computer back-up procedure was the one unresolved issue and that more money is needed for this, according to the report. Other recommendations were for better close-out for credit card receipts at the Marina, a Fraud Risk Assessment Plan and a Department Procedures Manual.
Agenda for Wellfleet Forum
Makely distributed a proposed agenda for the February 2, 2007 Wellfleet Forum meeting at the Library. This dealt with the finances in Wellfleet. Makely said the Benchmark comparisons would be a part of the presentation.
Minutes
Bruinooge moved to approve the minutes of December 14, 2006. Makely seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Carlson moved to approve the minutes of the Joint Budget session of January 17, 2007. Bruinooge seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.
Makely moved to adjourn, Carlson seconded and the motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Mary Rogers, Committee Secretary Patricia Foley, Acting Chair
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