Wellfleet Finance Committee
Minutes of Meeting of March 17, 2010
Senior Center Conference Room, 7:00 p.m.
Present: Dennis Murphy, Chairman; Sam Bradford Janet Loewenstein, Robert Kelly, John T. Morrissey, Donna Robertson, Sylvia Smith, Liz Sorrell, Robert Wallace
Also Attending: Town Administrator Paul Sieloff, Town Accountant Marilyn Crary
Chairman Dennis Murphy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Budget Presentations
Housing
Elaine McIlroy, Elaine LaChapelle, Mary Fontanarosa were present to discuss the uses of the Housing Authority Budget of $5,000 which Finance Committee had cut at its previous meeting. If Housing turns back $9,692 from previous years, FinCom would reconsider the vote.
Sorrell moved to revisit the Housing Budget. Bradford seconded, and the motion carried 8-1.
Sorrell moved to accept the FY11 Housing Budget of $5,000 with the condition that Housing return any remaining money Not binding to any specific amount at the end of each fiscal year in the future. Smith seconded. The motion carried
8-1.
For the record, Loewenstein said that she would have supported the idea of turning back the accumulation of funds.
School
Superintendent Richard Hoffman, Principal Marybeth Latham, School Committee members Jan Plaue, Mort Inger, Jill Putnam and Terry Frazier came forward to discuss the School Budget. Marybeth Latham announced a retirement that would mean a savings of $28,000. She said the Elementary School is anticipating another retirement which would bring the Budget to 2.5%. However, Chapter 70 money will be cut by around 4%. Hoffman discussed the Regional Budget, which has been certified. He said debt service is going down for Wellfleet.
FinCom and the School representatives considered available Free Cash for full funding of the Elementary School Budget, cuts to the Budget, ranking comparison with other schools, Massachusetts House Bill 487 “Attorneys’ Fees,” Special Needs, and MCAS scores.
Murphy asked that the meeting focus on achieving 2.5% for the School Budget. He had a question about the bathroom renovations on the Capital Budget for the Elementary School and suggested use of Tech student services for the work. Murphy asked about changes to the Capital Budget to find money for the Operating Budget and come up with a Budget figure for voting. FinCom discussed salary percentage and step raises.
Wallace moved to reserve the vote on the School Budget until Town Meeting. Kelly seconded. The motion carried 9-0.
The Regional School Budget was next with Dr. Hoffmann, John Porteus and Business Manager Hans Baumhauer. Dr. Hoffmann explained cuts to the High School, Middle School and Central Office and distributed two spreadsheets. The Budget was held to 2%. The Wellfleet assessment had a net request increase of $1,860 over 2.5%.
Loewenstein moved to approve the total Wellfleet portion of the Nauset Regional Budget for $1,916,758. Sorrell seconded. The motion carried 9-0.
Minutes of 2/24/10 and 3/3/10
Kelly moved to approve the minutes of February 24, 2010. Sorrell seconded and the motion carried 7-0.
Kelly moved to approve the minutes of March 3, 2010. Smith seconded and the motion carried 7-0
Water Articles for Warrant
Water Commissioners Jean Schaefer, Dan Wexman and Emily Beebe were present to discuss the Water Enterprise Fund Budget and expansion Article for Town meeting. Paul Sieloff explained the expenditure budget sheets. Marilyn Crary asked that the Budget be balanced. Sieloff reviewed the debt service principal and interest lines. The Water Commissioners discussed the revenue projections for FY11.
Kelly moved to reserve recommendation of Article E (Enterprise Fund). Bradford seconded. The motion carried 9-0.
Article AA (Borrowing for Water Expansion) was another presentation by the Water Commissioners. FinCom studied a map of the proposed expansion of lines. Emily Beebe explained the advantages of the route for the water mains.
Sorrell moved to recommend Article AA. Loewenstein seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.
Recommendations for Warrant Articles
Lowenstein moved at recommend Article B (Transfers as of March 17). Smith seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.
Kelly moved to recommend Article P (Disposal of property). Loewenstein seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.
Kelly moved to not recommend Article Qa (Kindergarten petition). Loewenstein seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.
Loewenstein moved to recommend Article R (Gifts). Smith seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.
Loewenstein moved to recommend Article S (Collecting taxes). Smith seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.
Sorrell moved to recommend Article T (Herring River indemnity). Smith seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.
Sorrell moved to recommend Article U (Nauset Formula). Smith seconded and the motion carried 9-0.
Loewenstein moved to recommend Article DD (Disposal of 3 lots). Sorrell seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.
Loewenstein moved to not recommend petitioned Article EE (50 Beach St.). Sorrell seconded, and the motion carried 8-1.
Sorrell moved to recommend Article FF (Charter). Loewenstein seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.
Loewenstein moved to recommend Article GG (Town Clerk Fee increase). Sorrell seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 10:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________ _________________________
Mary Rogers, Committee Secretary Dennis Murphy, Chairman
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Date
Finance Committee approved these minutes at the meeting held 4/21/10
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