Board of Selectmen/Board of Water Commissioners
Senior Center
December 23, 2003
Minutes
Board of Selectmen
The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chairman Dale Donovan. Selectmen present included Jerry Houk, Ira Wood, Michael May and Helen Miranda Wilson. Town Administrator Tim Smith also attended.
The Board held a public hearing to consider the application of Wellfleet Oyster and Clam Co., Ltd., d/b/a Oysterman’s Grill and Market, Irving H. Puffer, Manager, for a seasonal, wine and beer, restaurant license. Wood read the public notice. Houk moved and May seconded a motion to grant this license. Donovan noted that the applicants and abutter had been notified of the change of location of tonight’s meeting from the Library to the Senior Center. Irving and Holly Puffer were in attendance and Mr. Puffer indicated that he has applied for this license per customer request and intends to be open from May to Columbus Day or a little later. The Board voted unanimously in favor of granting this license.
Appreciation of service to the Town – Chairman Donovan noted that several board and committee members had come forward to suggest that Committee Secretary Birgitta Olson be honored upon her retirement. Ms. Olson was in attendance and Chairman Donovan presented her a placque of appreciation for her service to the Town. Jeff Stewart, Helen Miranda Wilson, Arlene Kirsch, Lezli Rowell, Jerry Houk, Bob Costa, Tim Smith and Cyndi Moe each commented and thanked Ms. Olson for her service to the Town.
Announcements:
· Wilson announced that the Lower Cape Selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on January 8th at the Eastham Town Hall regarding the Open Meeting Law.
The Board discussed:
· Business Licenses – on a motion by May, seconded by Wilson, the Board voted unanimously to approve the business licenses of Boathouse Fish Market; Bookstore & Restaurant, Inc.; Even’Tide Motel; Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary; Southfleet Motor Inn; Wellfleet Texaco; The Lighthouse Restaurant; South Wellfleet General Store; A Nice Cream Shop; Hatch’s Fish Market, Inc.; The Blue Willow; The Juice Gallery; Marconi Beach Restaurant; Vintage Auto Center; Boathouse Gift Shop; Wellfleet Marine Corp.; Down Under Video; Left Bank Gallery, Inc. (West Main St.); Left Bank Gallery, Inc. (Commercial St.); Narrow Land Pottery; Maurice’s Campground,
Inc.; Periwinkle; Ragg Time; Kettler Gallery; Wellfleet Furniture and Cabinet Shop; Chequessett Yacht & Country Club; Uncle Frank’s. On a motion by May, seconded by Wilson, the Board voted unanimously 3-0, with Houk and Wood recusing themselves, to approve the business licenses of Mac’s Seafood Market, Mac’s Seafood Takeout and Sandpiper Gallery.
· Board/Committee Appointment(s) – on a motion by Wilson, seconded by May, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Tom Flynn to the Water Issues Advisory Committee. On a motion by Wood, seconded by Wilson, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Harriet Miller to the Planning Board. On a motion by Wilson, seconded by Donovan, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Frank Szedlak, Jr. to the Local Housing Partnership. On a motion by Wilson, seconded by May, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Jim Falcone to the Shellfish Advisory Committee. On a motion by Wilson, seconded by May, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Jim Falcone to the
Coastal and Pond Access Committee.
Page 2 – Board of Selectmen Minutes – 12/23/03
· Approval of Appointment of Town Accountant – the Town Administrator indicated his appointment of Marilyn Crary as Town Accountant for a one year period. On a motion by Wood, seconded by May, the Board voted unanimously to approve of the Town Administrator’s appointment of Marilyn Crary as Town Accountant for one year.
· Zimmerman Property – the Town Administrator noted that the license agreement with the Zimmermans holds them harmless from legal damages resulting from activity on the Town’s shellfish beds. On a motion by Wood, seconded by May, the Board voted 4-1, with Wilson voting against, to approve the agreement with the Zimmermans.
· MMA Conference – the Town Administrator indicated that one reservation has been made and to let him know if any Board members wish to attend.
Selectman Wood presented his correspondence report:
· 12/18 memo from the Finance Committee to Board of Selectmen - Arlene Kirsch requested that the Board append the Finance Committee’s fiscal 2005 budget memo to the minutes of this meeting. On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted 4-1, with Donovan voting against, to attach the memo dated 12/18/03 from the Finance Committee to the Board of Selectmen to tonight’s minutes. The Town Administrator noted his concern that the memo is factually incorrect and contains misstatements.
· Letter from Bookstore Restaurant requesting an extended license to stay open until 2:00 a.m. on New Year’s Eve 12/31/03 – on a motion by Wood, seconded by May, the Board voted unanimously to extend the license of the Bookstore Restaurant to stay open until 2:00 a.m. on New Year’s Eve.
· Memo from Finance Committee re: FY 2005 budget – Arlene Kirsch explained the Finance Committee’s recommendation.
· Letter from Zisson and Veara re: Lynch property – the Town Administrator noted that he has passed this matter onto the DPW Director.
· Letter from ABCC re: Sunday sales permitting – Chairman Donovan noted that staff is clarifying the process.
Open Session:
· Tom Flynn addressed the Board regarding acknowledgement of correspondence from boards and committees. On a motion by Wilson, seconded by Wood, the Board voted 3-2, with Donovan and May voting against, to create another file folder labeled Board/Committee minutes within the Board’s correspondence file.
Town Administrator comments:
· Budgets - the first budget meeting is scheduled for January 5th and budgets will be distributed by December 30th.
· Fuel Dock bid – one bid was received and a recommendation will be made by the end of January.
· Legal bid – six or seven responses received which will go to the Board at the end of January and interviews will be set up.
Comments/Reports:
· Houk indicated that he will be on vacation and will not be at the first budget meeting and noted the Board’s receipt of a Christmas stocking from Wellfleet Elementary School; he thanked them for their thoughtfulness.
· Donovan commented on the December 11th holiday concert at Wellfleet Elementary School calling it a “superb event” and thanked all the participants and parents.
Page 3 – Board of Selectmen Minutes – 12/23/03
· Wood suggested that the Board consider amending the General Bylaws at Town Meeting regarding consumption of alcoholic beverages on Town property. Wilson moved to request that the Town Administrator ask the Assessor to work on a senior work-off abatement program. The motion was not seconded.
· Wilson questioned the status of site visits with the Police Chief, Fire Chief and Health/Conservation Agent – the Town Administrator will set them up.
The Board discussed ways to improve communications with boards and committees.
Wilson moved and May seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the December 9, 2003 meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners. Wilson moved an amendment to the minutes which was not seconded. On the original motion the Board voted 3-1-1, with Wilson voting against and Wood abstaining (he had not attended the meeting).
May moved and Houk seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the December 9, 2003 meeting of the Board of Selectmen. On a motion by Wilson, seconded by Houk, to amend the minutes the Board voted 2-2-1, with Donovan and May voting against and Wood abstaining (he had not attended the meeting). On the original motion the Board voted 2-2-1, with Wilson and Houk voting against and Wood abstaining (he had not attended the meeting).
Future Meeting/Agendas:
· Donovan moved to ask the Town Administrator to send a memo to the Water Issues Advisory Committee including its task and suggesting that representatives of Environmental Partners meet with the Committee. Wilson proposed an amendment to the motion which was not seconded. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the original motion. Wilson moved that copies of all water related documents go to the Water Issues Advisory Committee – the Town Administrator will follow up.
Arlene Kirsch suggested that the Annual Town Meeting deadline schedule be posted on the Town’s web site.
On a motion by Wood, seconded by May, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:33 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Smulligan
Administrative Assistant
Dale Donovan, Chair Jerry Houk Ira Wood
Michael May Helen Miranda Wilson
M e m o r a n d u m
To: Board of Selectmen
cc: Town Administrator
From: Finance Committee
Date: December 17, 2003
Re: FY 2005 Budget
The Finance Committee believes it prudent to assume for budget planning purposes that the Town may no longer be able to afford maintaining municipal services at the current levels due to projected cuts in State funding.
We therefore recommend a zero percent increase in the budget for FY 05.
Preliminary projections as of mid-December 2003, based on the current tax rate indicate:
- A zero percent increase will still require an override, now estimated to be approximately $200,000. - An override of $200,000 would add about $.11 to the tax rate, or $4.95 per $1,000 valuation—about $44/year for real estate property assessed at $400,000.
- If the Town “maintains municipal services at the current levels,” a three percent increase in the budget will be required – mainly due to contract and insurance increases - which will likely mean an override in the range of $600,000 to $900,000.
- An override of about $600,000 would add about $.16 to the tax rate, or about $5.00 per $1,000 valuation—about $64/year for real estate property assessed at $400,000.
- An override of about $900,000 would add about $.48 to the tax rate, or about $5.32 per $1,000 valuation—about $192/year for real estate property assessed at $400,000.
Budget Increase Services Override Tax Increase on $400,000 house
0% [FinCom recomm] Reduced Approx. $200,000 $44/year
3% [Selectmen recomm] Current $600,000-$900,000 $64 to $192/year
There are also capital expenses currently being paid off – the new municipal water system, Senior Center, Library roof, Town Hall renovations, purchase of 335 Main Street, to name a few – and the capital improvements being discussed – 335 Main Street, possible expansion of water and/or sewer systems, and fire/police/public safety building(s).
The Finance Committee recommends a budget increase of zero percent for FY 2005 with no new positions and a hiring freeze to minimize the impact of another tax increase on the residents of Wellfleet in the current economy.
- This could mean eliminating services (positions) and keeping new equipment purchases to a bare minimum. The Finance Committee believes that fiscal policies should help the Town maintain the economic diversity it currently enjoys.
- The Finance Committee urges the Board of Selectmen to choose ensuring a strong infrastructure for Wellfleet into the future even at the expense of short-term services which should save money in the long term.
Budget Planning for FY05:
- ~The Finance Committee looks forward to joint budget hearings with the Board of Selectmen and Department Heads as it reviews the development of the Selectmen's budget.
- The Finance Committee requests that all warrant articles with a fiscal impact indicate all associated costs. For example, the fireworks article should include the cost of the materials plus the cost of police department overtime.
- ~A minimum of $50,000 is to be placed in the Stabilization Fund annually whenever possible.
- ~The budget should be balanced with as little reliance on projected fees as possible, since the Town has no control over the actual amount of revenues that fees will produce.
- New revenue streams should be explored.
- Voters should be provided with data on their available options along with Selectmen and Finance Committee recommendations and the detail supporting the recommendations, on a continuous basis leading up to and at Town Meeting.
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