Board of Selectmen/Finance Committee
Library Meeting Room
January 9, 2003
Minutes
Present: Board of Selectmen - Roger L. Putnam, Jr., Chair, Michael May, Dale Donovan, Michael Parlante.
Finance Committee - Berta Bruinooge, Chair, Patricia Foley, Ira Wood, Deborah Davis, Arlene Kirsch, Anne Suggs
Town Administrator Tim Smith and Town Accountant Marilyn Crary also attended.
Absent: Board of Selectmen - Jerry Houk
Finance Committee - Timothy Woodman, Ben Zehnder
Meeting called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Board of Selectmen Chair Roger L. Putnam, Jr.
Chairman Putnam observed that there are no real savings to be realized unless positions are eliminated and that real dents in the budget can only be realized via structural change.
Selectman Donovan cited a newspaper article regarding the water project and asked what water matters will be discussed at the Board's upcoming Monday meeting. The Town Administrator noted that certain decisions need to be made so that bid documents may be prepared and the project bid prior to Town Meeting in case further funding is needed. Selectman Donovan noted that the Board of Selectmen decided to pursue Option 1 at the October 21, 2002 Board meeting.
#610 Library - Library Director Elaine McIlroy presented the Library budget. She indicated that funding is requested for an increase of five hours for the Youth Services and Library Assistant positions, as well as an additional $300 for seasonal workers, but that the operating expense request has only increased by $75. She noted that grant funds, trust funds and donations from the Friends of the Wellfleet Libraries are used to offset operating costs. Discussion included fees.
#141 Assessor - Assessor Nancy Vail presented the Assessing Department budget. She indicated that the increase in the contract services line represents a transfer from the capital budget to the operating budget of funding for software, mapping services and revaluation services. Discussion included performance of property evaluations on an annual basis to keep up with market values to minimize the impact of the mandated three-year revaluation.
#146 Town Collector - Town Collector Marianne Nickerson presented her budget. The Town Administrator noted that the Town Collector's salary increase has been included under salaries and wages in the operating budget instead of being submitted as a separate article as in prior years. It was requested that a note to this effect be included in the warrant. Ms. Nickerson requested that the budget's "department head request" reflect this salary increase.
#756 Interest on Real Estate Tax Refunds - it was noted that transfer from the Reserve Fund had been necessary in the prior year. Ms. Nickerson indicated that she is not anticipating an increase in this budget as tax bills should be issued in a timely fashion this year.
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#145 Town Clerk/Treasurer - Town Clerk/Treasurer Dawn Rickman presented her budget noting increases in contract services for payroll vendor services and borrowing costs due to an increase in borrowing.
#158 Tax Title - request level funded. Ms. Rickman explained the tax title process noting that 80% of the remaining parcels are in Land Court for foreclosure.
#162 Elections/Registration - Ms. Rickman noted that this request is for level funding.
#753 Short Term Loan Interest - Ms. Rickman explained that the requested increase is due to short term borrowing costs.
#911 County Retirement - discussion included the increase in the assessment from Barnstable County Retirement.
#913 Unemployment Compensation - Ms. Rickman noted a decrease in this budget request and explained that seasonal workers are not eligible for unemployment.
#914 Group Insurance Health - Ms. Rickman noted that the Town's share of health insurance will increase from 60% to 65% in FY 2004 and that since rates are unknown, the projected rate increase is estimated at 25%.
#916 Medicare Town Share - Ms. Rickman noted a modest increase.
#945 Liability/Property/Compensation Insurance - it was asked whether FY 2003 transfers had been taken into consideration when determining this budget request. The Town Administrator noted that this request could change before town meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Smulligan
Administrative Assistant
Roger L. Putnam, Jr., Chair Berta Bruinooge, Chair
Board of Selectmen Finance Committee
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