Wellfleet Finance Committee
Minutes of Meeting of July 12, 2007
Senior Center, Conference Room, 7:00 p.m.
Present: Patricia Foley, Acting Chair; Nancy Bone, Berta Bruinooge, Arlene Kirsch, John Makely, Dennis Murphy, Sylvia Smith
Also Attending: Town Accountant Marilyn Crary, Fire Chief Dan Silverman
Absent: Mac Hay, Robert Kelly
Acting Chair Patricia Foley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Town Accountant Marilyn Crary was present to explain the transfers. There were nine transfers within departments to consider:
AMT. FROM TO
1,499.00 GEN ADM CAPITAL GEN ADM SALARY/WAGES
800.00 GEN ADM CAPITAL GEN ADM SALARY/WAGES
370.00 GEN ADM ENCUMBERED GEN ADM SALARY/WAGES
2,114.00 POLICE SALARY/WAGES POLICE EXPENSES
4,829.00 COMMUNICATIONS SAL/WAGES COMMUNICATIONS EXPENSES
8,976.00 FIRE DEPT. EXPENSES FIRE DEPT. SALARY/WAGES
39,781.25 FIRE DEPT. SALARY/WAGES FIRE DEPT. OVERTIME
8,574.00 DPW FACILITIES DPW OVERTIME
1,428.00 COA EXPENSES COA SALARY/WAGES
There were thirteen transfers between departments:
AMT. FROM TO
7,284.00 HEALTH INSURANCE GENERAL ADM SALARY/WAGES
1,000.00 TOWN ADMINISTRATOR GENERAL ADM EXPENSES
4,094.00 NRSD ASSESSMENT LEGAL SERVICES
3,129.00 CAPE COD REG TECH COMPUTERIZATION
3,754.00 TOWN CLERK/TREASURER COMPUTERIZATION
1,353.00 TOWN CLERK/TREASURER TOWN REPORTS & WARRANTS
9,987.00 DPW FACILITIES BEACH PROGRAM SALARY/WAGES
692.00 DPW FACILITIES BEACH PROGRAM EXPENSES
10,101.00 HEALTH INSURANCE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
308.00 HEALTH INSURANCE GROUP INSURANCE LIFE
3,000.00 INSURANCE RESERVE LIABILITY/PROPERTY/WC INS.
1,919.00 HEALTH INSURANCE LIABILITY/PROPERTY/WC INS.
43.00 MEDICARE TOWN SHARE LIABILITY/PROPERTY/WC INS.
Crary explained the total transfer of $2,299 into General Administration Salaries. The transfer to the Beach Program was examined. Crary explained how the Health Insurance money had become available for transfers.
Makely moved to approve the transfers. Kirsch seconded and the motion carried unanimously 7-0.
Makely asked about departments that were close to their actual budgets. There was a discussion of vacation accrual time.
Makely asked FinCom members to submit suggestions for interview questions for a new Town Administrator. He agreed to discuss this further after the Fire Chief’s presentation.
Fire Chief Dan Silverman was present to discuss the lightning strike at the fire station. He discussed the extent of the damage in the communications system. He does not yet have figures on replacement costs and insurance coverage. There are some MEMA radios that will be programmed for the beach guards in the interim period. The communications tower will need to be replaced because of the damage, he said. The new station will also need lightning protection. Kirsch said that Delahunt’s office was a resource to contact for help in this emergency situation.
Chief Silverman also informed FinCom that personnel would require overtime coverage this summer due to an illness in the department. Silverman promised to take a good look at offsetting the large overtime budget for the fire department.
Bruinooge asked for figures of money that is returned by departments at the end of Fiscal Year 07.
Makely renewed the discussion of the process for choosing a new Town Administrator. Arlene Kirsch reported on the Board of Selectmen’s meeting with Tom Groux, the consultant who has been hired for the TA selection process. There was a decision to form a citizens’ screening committee, she said. Selectmen had outlined desirable attributes they sought in a Town Administrator. There was also a suggestion for a housing provision for a new TA.
Berta Bruinooge said that the TA should work well with the Finance Committee and have a strong background in the budget process. Kirsch stressed the importance of hiring a good communicator. Bone liked the idea that the person be well acquainted with Massachusetts state law. FinCom members will bring more suggestions to the next meeting July 26, 2007.
Makely reported on the statement by the DPW presented to the Board of Selectmen at their July 10, 2007 meeting. Makely said this opened a discussion on using the chain of command in dealing with complaints.
Makely then reported on a very positive meeting with the DPW Department Head Mark Vincent on DPW equipment. Sylvia Smith attended the meeting and said there were a few remaining questions. She expressed surprise that the DPW Head said he had given little input into the Capital Improvement Plan. Makely distributed a revised task list for the May 29, 2007 Rollover Policy (revised 7/11/07) following the meeting with Mark Vincent.
Kirsch moved to make the July 11, 2007 changes in the Rollover Policy. Murphy seconded and the motion carried 7-0.
Dennis Murphy reported on his meeting with Mark Vincent regarding repair shop capabilities. Murphy said he believes the DPW needs more help in the repair shop if the equipment is to be maintained as suggested. Murphy said he believed that personnel could be used in other capacities as well as in the repair shop. Murphy also discussed work environment within the DPW. Murphy said he could see a direction for the Rollover Policy recommendation. He used a specific vehicle purchased in 1999 and its use as an example. For comparison, he also reviewed a newer vehicle that had been considered for replacement. It had not yet reached the threshold of “payback.” It is desirable to reach this point or beyond before considering replacement, according to Murphy.
Makely said that Mark Vincent wanted to know when members of the subcommittee would meet again. Kirsch recommended that the subcommittee work together, instead of in separate sessions with Mark Vincent. Makely said the subcommittee needed to coordinate with Mark Vincent and give him advance topics for consideration and a suggested meeting time. The subcommittee will meet by themselves Monday, July 16 at 9 a.m.
Marilyn Crary said that, as an auditor, she was concerned that she did not have all the vehicle insurance information available for FinCom. Bruinooge suggested a return to the practice separate department audits, this time doing one solely for insurance. It could be something to suggest for Fiscal Year 2009, she said.
Bruinooge moved to approve the amended minutes of June 28, 2007. Murphy seconded and the motion carried unanimously 7-0.
Makely moved to adjourn. Smith seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________ _______________________
Mary Rogers, Committee Secretary Patricia Foley, Acting Chair
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