Wellfleet Finance Committee
Minutes of Meeting of April 3, 2008
Senior Center Conference Room, 7:00 p.m.
Present: Chair Patricia Foley, Berta Bruinooge, Nancy Bone, Arlene Kirsch, John Makely, Dennis Murphy, Sylvia Smith
Absent: Mac Hay, Robert Kelly
Chair Patricia Foley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Finance Committee observed a moment of silence for Jan Potter.
STM Warrant Articles
Article 2 Ambulance
There was discussion on the difference between wording of Articles in the Warrant and motions for the Articles made at Town Meeting. Wording for Articles 2 and 4 were questioned. Makely moved to approve the motion for Article 2 with the removal of the word replacement. Bruinooge seconded, and the motion carried 7-0. This vote was taken in error. Bruinooge moved to recommend Article 2 as it is written in the Warrant. Bone seconded. The comments on the floor of Town Meeting will reflect that FinCom did not vote for the Article because of the funding language and FinCom’s decision to give its recommendation if the Article were worded more specifically. Bruinooge withdrew her motion, and Bone withdrew her second. All agreed to rescind the motion 7-0. Kirsch moved to not
recommend Article 2 as written and make a comment explaining that FinCom approves of the ambulance purchase with the funding specified. Bone seconded, and the motion to not recommend STM Article 2 carried 7-0.
Article 4 Repaving Marina
Makely moved to accept the motion for Article 4 as written. Murphy seconded.
The motion was made in error before voting on Article 1 had been completed.
Kirsch moved to recommend STM Article 4. Makely seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.
ATM Warrant Articles
Article 4 Wages for Union Personnel
FinCom’s reservation of recommendation will be held until a vote is taken right before Town Meeting on April 28, 2008.
Article 19 CPC Funds to Housing
Bruinooge moved to recommend Article 19. Makely seconded. The motion carried 7-0.
Article 28 Transfer of Land to Housing Old King’s Highway/Old Long Pond
Map 16, Lots110, 111, 143, 145
Bruinooge moved to recommend Article 28. Kirsch seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.
Article 29 Transfer of Land to Housing Lawrence Rd. at Long Pond Rd.
Portion of Map 13, Parcel 2.1 (old senior center)
Kirsch moved to recommend Article 29. Makely seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.
Motions
Foley asked if FinCom members would like to be spokesperson for particular Articles when the motions are made at Town Meeting. John Makely said he would be spokesperson for Article 1 in Annual Town Meeting. Berta Bruinooge will be spokesperson for Article 2. Foley will speak to Article 2 of Special Town Meeting.
Wellfleet Elementary School
Foley discussed School Choice. This year’s loss is $21,259 and $54,003 revenues will be lost from the State in FY09. Since these figures were published, three more students are leaving Wellfleet Elementary School, according to Foley. She had contact with some of the parents and the Truro Elementary School. Kirsch moved to send a letter to Superintendent Michael Gradone with copies to the Board of Selectmen, Town Administrator Paul Sieloff, Principal Teecia Kent, the School Committee and Finance Committee that says: “We are concerned about projected loss of $21, 259 in Project School Choice funds that will be deducted from FY08 and projection of a loss of $54,003 in the FY09 budget because parents are pulling their children from Wellfleet Elementary School and enrolling them in Truro and
Provincetown Elementary Schools. We wanted to know if you are aware of this, and we ask what is being done to stem the tide. We would like your response to be in writing please.” Bone seconded the motion to send the letter, and the motion carried 7-0.
Foley recommended that Finance Committee members examine the blog at wellfleetelementary.blogspot.com
Other Business
Bone reviewed to the Finance Committee comments for Article 1 of ATM.
John Makely expressed appreciation for all the groundwork and preparation for Town Meeting that Pat Foley had done.
There was a discussion of new Open Meeting Law. FinCom considered requesting an opinion from Town Counsel on situations where a quorum from Finance Committee forms outside of FinCom’s planned and posted meetings. The BOS will be asked to consider the question.
Minutes of 3/20/08 and 3/27/08
Bruinooge moved to approve the amended minutes of March 20, 2008. Murphy seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Bruinooge moved to approve the minutes of March 27, 2008. Kirsch seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
Mail
Chief Rosenthal’s memo of March 31, 2008 regarding the ground system for the Communications Unit Tower was distributed. This will be discussed at another meeting.
Meetings
There will be a meeting at 6:30 p.m. immediately before Town Meeting on April 28, 2008. The next regular meeting will be scheduled for Thursday, May 22, 2008.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________ _______________________
Mary Rogers, Committee Secretary Patricia Foley, Chair
__________________ (Date)
Finance Committee approved these minutes at their meeting of 5/22/08
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