WELLFLEET BOARD OF SELECTMEN/WELLFLEET FINANCE COMMITTEE
JOINT PRE-BUDGET MEETINGS FY 2005
MINUTES OF MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2003, 7:00 P.M.,
LIBRARY MEETING ROOM
Present: Dale Donovan, Chair, Board of Selectmen; Jerry Houk,
Michael May, Helen Miranda Wilson, Ira Wood.
Berta Bruinooge, Chair, Finance Committee; Carl Caruso,
Patricia Foley, MacGregor Hay, Arlene Kirsch,
John Makely, Sylvia Smith. Absent: Anne Suggs.
Timothy Smith, Town Administrator; Marilyn Crary,
Town Accountant; Birgitta Olson, Clerk.
Board of Selectmen meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Dale Donovan.
Finance Committee Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Berta Bruinooge.
Dale Donovan said the intent of the pre-budget meetings is to provide an opportunity for Department Heads to give a survey of services provided by their departments. A fairly firm revenue estimate by the Town Administrator will follow, as well as a closer examination of departmental services during the actual budget process. Mr. Donovan said there will be ample opportunity for Selectmen and the Finance Committee to discuss issues that do not fit into this format.
Chief Alan Hight, Fire Department.
Chief Hight read the Mission Statement of the Fire Department and reviewed departmental responsibilities; current staffing; anticipated needs with reference to personnel, the fire station and apparatus & equipment; and shortfalls in resources with reference to these areas. He distributed a written survey of these topics. Chief Hight also screened a brief video based on NFPA Standard 1710 showing how fire departments are mandated to respond to fire and rescue calls. Questions on costs for desired personnel increases, hourly wages for Call Firefighters, and the use other Town employees as Call Firefighters were answered. Chief Hight said that with fire and rescue calls up to about 1300 per year, and with little or no response to calls for volunteer Call Firefighters, it becomes more urgent to have a minimum of two professional
staff on each shift.
Richard Asmann, Building Department.
Building Inspector Richard Asmann distributed a brief outline of the department's responsibilities, current personnel, and future needs, and expanded on work he and other inspectors do, on training requirements, and on allocation of his time. He said the pre-eminent need for the future is full-time clerical support staff for what is a paper-heavy department. Other priorities are: a higher hourly rate, at least 100%, for plumbing, wiring and gas inspectors; expanded computerization of the department; and a vehicle. There was discussion of further development of a process of team inspections.
MINUTES OF JOINT SELECTMEN/FINCOMM PRE-BUDGET MEETING 9/30/03 2
Jacqueline Wildes, Council on Aging.
Ms. Wildes described the two basic components of the COA: (1) the Senior Center with its concern for social, health, education, and nutrition needs, and (2) a less well known Human Services Agency offering outreach, home visits and case management for seniors and for others in need. She described the counselling and advocacy work with reference to medication, home care, food disbursement, transportation, cash assistance, and insurance and legal aid, with
about 40 outreach contacts per week and 400 medical transportation trips per year. Assistance is given to both those who can afford a small co-pay and to those who cannot pay. Resources are money raised by the Friends, up to $100,000 per year, grants from Elder Services and other agencies, and countless hours provided by a core of 60+ volunteers. Ms. Wildes cited a van and part-time driver as the COA's pre-eminent need.
Elaine McIlroy, Library Director.
Ms. McIlroy distributed a report giving the Library's mission statement, a survey of its structure, services and personnel, and a needs statement developed after a community survey had been done and listing community as well as library department needs. She cited as first priority expanded hours to serve ever expanding community needs. Second is hiring of a Reference Librarian, who would be out on the floor, recognizable and available to assist during library hours. And third the creation of more quiet spaces for study, research and writing. The question of charging for services was discussed briefly, It was noted that most equipment has been gifted to the Library by the Friends and the Trustees, at no cost to the Town.
Business.
- The Minutes of the joint meeting of 9/16/03 were approved by
Selectmen with one correction, as MOVED by Wood, SECONDED by
Wilson, and CARRIED 5-0.
- The Minutes of the joint meeting of 9/16/03 were approved by
the Finance Committee, as MOVED by Kirsch, SECONDED by Caruso,
and CARRIED 6-0.
Joint Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Birgitta V. Olson
Committee Secretary
_______________________ ________________________
Dale Donovan, Chair Berta Bruinooge, Chair
Board of Selectmen Finance Committee
Approved 10/7/03
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