Wellfleet Finance Committee
Minutes of Meeting of November 30, 2011
Town Hall Hearing Room, 7:00 p.m.
Present: Dennis Murphy, Chairman; Sam Bradford, Janet Loewenstein, John T. Morrissey, Stephen Oliver, Sylvia Smith, Liz Sorrell, Robert Wallace
Regrets: Stephen Polowczyk,
Also Attending: Town Administrator Paul Sieloff, Town Accountant Marilyn Crary
Dennis Murphy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Fire Dept. Budget
Fire Chief Daniel Silverman presented his Fiscal Year 2013 Budget proposal 1 and Capital Improvement Plan. 2 He explained changes in the Operating Budget regarding: salary, overtime shifts, holiday time, double time, fringe benefits, and call firefighters. Janet Loewenstein, who had attended the Fire Department Budget session, gave her summary of the differences between FY12 and FY13. She noted new lines for the C-Med and Barnstable Sheriff’s dispatch services. Chief Silverman said the funding mechanism for these is still being negotiated. FinCom discussed the fuel line with Chief Silverman. Other figures of note were for uniforms and seminars/training. The Fire Department total figure over 2 1/2 % was $73,228.
The 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan for the Fire Department was scrutinized. Loewenstein expressed concern about items that would require borrowing. Chief Silverman explained the Fire Department’s need for a new tanker in Fiscal Year 2013. He discussed some of the options available for resale of the old tanker and the possibility for getting a grant to help pay for a new one. Chief Silverman distributed an Ambulance Cost sheet that analyzed use and capital costs per year.3 This included Ambulance revenue per run and by annual estimate. Chief Silverman discussed the level of service provided by Lower Cape Ambulance services, the rationale for having three Wellfleet ambulances, and the benefit of having a proactive maintenance schedule for the ambulances. The FY13 Capital expense for
the training room/Emergency Operation Center completion was a line that might be placed into a future year, FinCom members said.
Report on Budget Sessions
Dennis Murphy said he attended DPW, Water Commissioners, the Marina and Recreation sessions. He noted that Recreation will have to make cuts. He said he had questions on the Water Enterprise Fund Budget. The Library’s HVAC system and south end of the building maintenance were issues DPW discussed.
Sylvia Smith reported on the Police Budget, which is under 2 1/2 %. Liz Sorrell said Wellfleet Elementary School Budget increase is 1% at this time. The cafeteria costs have not been settled yet, she said. She distributed the Wellfleet Elementary School Work Table for Cohort-Survival Ratio Technique4 and reviewed the enrollments for the grades.
Paul Sieloff said the Shellfish Budget was the same as last year.
Private Road Maintenance
Murphy said he had figures on Private Road Maintenance agreements. There were no materials included in the annual maintenance reports.
Library HVAC System
Janet Loewenstein said that there was a possibility for a grant to help cover HVAC system available in 2013.
Fire Dept. Overtime
Paul Sieloff said the study for Wellfleet has not proceeded as he had hoped. The consultant requested at least $10,000 to conduct a study. This was more than he had anticipated and would require getting bids, Sieloff said. The Collins Institute and another research group were possible consultants that could give estimates for a study, he said. Finance Committee members wanted to pursue a study even at a greater cost than anticipated.
Legal Expenses
Janet Loewenstein said she had examined six months of legal bills. The largest item was related to a bulkhead project at Burton Baker Beach, Loewenstein said. Paul Sieloff explained some of the legal issues that were involved in the case. Loewenstein expressed interest in flagging issues that incur increasingly large legal expenses. The other big legal issue, she noted, was a grease trap controversy regarding the jurisdiction of the Health and Plumbing Inspectors.
Minutes of 10/19/11
Sorrell moved to approve the minutes of October 19, 2011. Loewenstein seconded, and the motion carried 8-0.
Other Business
Dennis Murphy asked about the Town’s ability to set heath insurance rates. Paul Sieloff said Wellfleet is linked into Cape Cod Health Group. He said the Town anticipates a cost savings, but not a big one.
Oliver moved to have a vote on holding Finance Committee meetings at Town Hall Hearing Room. Morrissey seconded. The motion failed 1-4-3
Oliver moved to meet regularly at COA, scheduling permitted. Morrissey seconded. The motion failed 4-3-1
Wallace moved to alternate meetings at the COA and Town Hall, depending upon room availability. Loewenstein seconded. The motion carried 7-1.
Loewenstein and Bradford had revised John Morrissey’s draft message to Department Heads5 regarding the 10-Year Capital Budget Plan. Loewenstein distributed the letter for FinCom’s consideration. The Committee discussed the communication and its intended audience. Sorrell said there were three different messages: one to the School Department about not being kept informed, a request to Departments and Committees for details, and third to the voters regarding Capital items. Bradford said the letter should be redrafted with specific goals that: 1.) there be no surprises, 2.) keep a steady cost, 3.) continued communication. Sorrell will send the secretary new drafts to be disseminated before the next meeting.
John Morrissey reported on the tax reduction program for year round residents that Manny Smith had presented to the Selectmen at their meeting of November 22, 2011.
Agenda for Next Meeting
Agenda for the December 28 meeting includes: CIP Hearing, Message from Finance Committee re Capital Budget, and the FY13 Budget.
Adjournment
Oliver moved to adjourn. Sorrell seconded, and the motion carried 8-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 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 12/28/11.
Public Record Materials from the meeting of 11/30/11
1.) Fire Department Fiscal Year 2013 Budget
2.) Fire Department Capital Improvement Plan
3.) Ambulance Cost sheet
4.) Wellfleet Elementary School Work Table for Cohort-Survival Ratio Technique
5.) Message to Department Heads regarding the 10-Year Capital Budget Plan
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