Wellfleet Finance Committee
Minutes of Meeting of October 24, 2012
Senior Center, 7:00 p.m.
Present: Sylvia Smith, Chair; Sam Bradford, Janet Loewenstein, Stephen Polowczyk, Thomas Reinhart, Liz Sorrell, Robert Wallace, Ira Wood
Regrets: Linda Pellegrino
Also Attending: Interim Town Administrator Timothy King
Chair Sylvia Smith called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Fire Department Concerns
Janet Loewenstein said that the finalists for Fire Chief had been selected.
Fire Chief Daniel Silverman was not able to attend the meeting, but he had sent a memo1 explaining how his budget is influenced by the expense of leasing the Emergency antennas on the water tower.
Budget Concerns
Sylvia Smith said FinCom would like to see the Fire Department Head’s request as well as the department heads’ requests included with the Town Administrator’s and Selectmen’s recommendations on the budget sheets. The question of organization by Department Budgets vs. Town Budget was brought up. The mode of budget preparation will be discussed during the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget meetings. The Water Commissioners will be meeting with the Selectmen at an upcoming meeting, and the Finance Committee will be invited to attend.
Capital Plan for Nauset Schools
Liz Sorrell said that the School Department had not yet voted on the Nauset Schools’ Capital Plan, but it has been prepared. Tom Reinhart reported on the Nauset School Committee meeting that dealt with Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) for the School Department. FinCom discussed ways the Town might deal with OPEB, starting with the fund that was started for it last year. Tim King said he will provide FinCom with a copy of the OPEB actuarial study.
Dredging
Sylvia Smith wanted FinCom to be aware of the estimated costs for the proposal for dredging the harbor.2 The means of paying for the project was contemplated. FinCom members discussed increased fees and initiating parking fees at the Marina.
Response to Memo on Chequessett Yacht & Country Club
Finance Committee had received a request from the Tim King3 to give an opinion on first refusal rights for Lot 76 being separated from the Chequessett Yacht & Country Club property.
Polowczyk moved to make a recommendation that the Town waive the rights of first refusal for Lot 76. Sorrell seconded. The motion carried 8-0.
Designer Road Bid
The Town owned property on Designer Road had been sold for a price lower than the minimum bid, but Tim King explained that there were title issues and an Open Space restriction that makes the lot stay unbuildable, both factors in the reduced price.
Letter to BOS Re: Town Clerk/Treasurer & Town Collector
Dawn Rickman had requested a letter from the Finance Committee to the Selectmen regarding the Town Clerk/Treasurer and Town Collector positions, but FinCom would like her to outline her proposal in writing. When that information is brought back to FinCom, they will draft a letter.
Budget Schedule
FinCom discussed changing meetings back to Thursdays but will not be changing the day at this time. The schedule of Department Head Budget Review meetings4 was distributed, and FinCom members determined who would attend the various meetings.
Liaison Reports
Tom Reinhart reported further on the Regional School Committee meeting, which he had attended. He offered to go to more Regional School Committee meetings. Reinhart had also attended Energy Committee meetings and reported on their effort to become a “Green Community.”
Minutes of 9/12/12
Polowczyk moved to approve the minutes of September 12, 2012. Loewenstein seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.
Mail
FinCom had received an e-mail from John Morrissey regarding the Pay-As-You-Throw program.5 Members discussed what changes would be implemented with the institution of the program. Sylvia Smith said she had received a memo from the Building and Needs Committee regarding an upcoming meeting with the Selectmen.
Agenda for Next Meeting
Agenda for the next meeting November 28, 2012 will include: Actuarial Report for OPEB, Reports on Budgets, Water Enterprise Fund, and Liaison Reports.
Adjournment
Loewenstein moved to adjourn. Wood seconded. The motion carried 8-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________ _________________________
Mary Rogers, Committee Secretary Sylvia Smith, Chair
Finance Committee approved these minutes at the meeting held 11/28/12.
Public Records for Finance Committee Meeting of 10/24/12
1.) Memo from Fire Chief Daniel Silverman dated 10/23/2012
2.) Estimated Costs for Proposed Dredging Project
3.) Chequessett Yacht & Country Club memo
4.) Schedule of Department Head Budget Review meetings
5.) E-mail from John Morrissey regarding the Pay-As-You-Throw program
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