Wellfleet Finance Committee
Minutes of Meeting of February 29, 2012
Senior Center Conference Room, 7:00 p.m.
Present: Dennis Murphy, Chairman; Sam Bradford, Janet Loewenstein, John T. Morrissey, Stephen Oliver, Stephen Polowczyk, Sylvia Smith, Liz Sorrell, Robert Wallace
Also Attending: Town Administrator Paul Sieloff, Town Accountant Marilyn Crary, Fire Chief Daniel Silverman
Dennis Murphy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Fire Department Concerns
Fire Chief Daniel Silverman explained the transfer requests in the Town Warrant Article B. Chief Silverman discussed his request for ambulance funding, giving some alternatives for repairs and purchasing.
Draft Letter on School Choice
Steve Oliver and Sylvia Smith presented a draft of a letter1 to Senator Dan Wolfe, Representative Sarah Peake and other towns. Liz Sorrell and Steve Polowczyk reviewed how School Choice works. The letter will be withdrawn because of the nature of the program. Finance Committee considered Provincetown’s school decision which had been publicized in the February 28, 2012 Cape Cod Times. 2
Fiscal Year 2013 Operating Budget Changes
Marilyn Crary had distributed a worksheet of Budget Changes for FY13. 3 Paul Sieloff discussed the differences. Finance Committee discussed School funding changes.
Sorell moved to approve the Operating Budget as presented with the changes. Polowczyk seconded. They withdrew the motion and second in order to review the rest of the Operating Budget.
FinCom discussed trimming the151 Legal Services line of $110,000
Steve Oliver moved to set 151 Legal Services at $90,000. Polowczyk seconded. FinCom discussed setting a realistic number. The motion failed 3-6.
Finance Committee reviewed and approved the Fiscal Year 2013 Operating Budget page by page for further questions.
There was a question on page 6 (Town Clerk/Treasurer 145) because of a consulting fee built into that budget.
Sorrell moved to recommend to the Selectmen a Charter revision that changes the Treasurer/Tax Collector position from an elected position to a an appointed position. Morrissey seconded. The motion carried 9-0.
There was discussion of: 158 Tax Title on page 8, the gas line on 220 Fire,
non-print materials in 610 Library, the small equipment line for 630 Recreation, and reconciliation of insurance to vehicles in 945 Insurance.
Loewenstein moved to approve the Article A - Operating Budget of $14,610 188. Sorrell seconded. The motion carried 8-0-1
Marina Enterprise Fund
Bradford moved to approve the FY13 Marina Services Enterprise Fund of $864,463. Sorrell seconded. The motion carried 9-0.
Water Enterprise Fund
Sorrell moved to approve the FY13 Water Enterprise Fund of $313,924. Polowczyk seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.
Capital Budget
Paul Sieloff discussed the health issues of fumes at the DPW Building and the possibility of redoing the former COA building at the corner of Lawrence Rd. and Long Pond Rd. to house the Building and Health/Conservation offices. This will change the Capital Budget, so FinCom will continue the deliberations on Capital Budget to the next meeting.
Janet Loewenstein discussed Ambulances for the Fire Department and said she supported the purchase of one new ambulance. Paul Sieloff said he expected the Fire Department study which will deal with the impact of the ambulances and over time.
Warrant Recommendations
ARTICLE F: 3% wage increase for the Town Clerk/Treasurer and the Town Collector
Loewenstein moved to approve Article F for the Town Clerk and Town Collector’s increase of 3 %. Polowczyk seconded, and the motion carried 8-0.
ARTICLE H: Stabilization Fund
Loewenstein moved to approve Article H the Stabilization Fund. Polowczyk seconded, and the motion carried 8-0.
ARTICLE I: DPW projects
Loewenstein moved to approve Article H the Stabilization Fund. Polowczyk seconded, and the motion carried 8-0.
ARTICLE J: Post Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund,
Bradford moved to approve Article J. Polowczyk seconded, and the motion carried 8-0.
ARTICLE L: Community Preservation Budget Fiscal Year 2013
Polowczyk moved to approve Article L. Loewenstein seconded, and the motion carried 8-0.
ARTICLE M: Housing Now “Buy Down” Program (CPA)
Loewenstein moved to approve Article M. Polowczyk seconded, and the motion carried 8-0.
ARTICLE N: Historic records of the Town of Wellfleet (CPA)
Polowczyk moved to approve Article N. Loewenstein seconded, and the motion carried 8-0.
ARTICLE O:~ Historic Restoration of Cannon Hill/Hamblen Park (CPA)
Polowczyk moved to approve Article O. Wallace seconded, and the motion carried 8-0.~
ARTICLE P: East wing of the Wellfleet Historic Museum (CPA)
Loewenstein moved to approve Article P. Polowczyk seconded, and the motion carried 8-0.
ARTICLE Q:~ 40 Old County Road, Assessor’s Map 30, Parcel 67.1 & part of 67 (CPA)
Wellfleet Conservation Trustee John Morrissey recused himself.
Polowczyk moved to not recommend Article Q. Loewenstein seconded. The motion to not recommend carried 6-0-1.
Other Business
FinCom members received reminders to renew their online Ethics training and give the receipts to the Town Clerk.
Minutes of 1/25/12
Polowczyk moved to approve the minutes of January 25, 2012. Smith seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.
Agenda for Next Meetings
The agenda for the meeting of March 14, 2012 will include: Remaining Budget and Warrant recommendations, Minutes, Mail and Other Business.
Adjournment
Loewenstein moved to adjourn. Murphy seconded, and the motion carried 8-0. The meeting was adjourned at 10:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________ _________________________
Mary Rogers, Committee Secretary Dennis Murphy, Chairman
Finance Committee approved these minutes at the meeting held 3/14/12.
Public Records of 2/29/12
1.) Draft letter to Senator Dan Wolfe and Representative Sarah Peake
2.) February 28, 2012 Cape Cod Times regarding Provincetown’s school decision
3.) Worksheet of Budget Changes for FY13
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