Wellfleet Board of Selectmen/Finance Committee
Minutes of Joint Budget Meeting
January 12, 2004
Library Meeting Room
Present: Board of Selectmen--Dale Donovan, Chair, Ira Wood, Jerry Houk, Michael May, Helen Miranda Wilson
Finance Committee--Berta Bruinooge, Chair, Arlene Kirsch, Carl Caruso,
Patricia Foley, John Makely, Nancy Bone, Mac Hay, Sylvia Smith
Also attending: Tim Smith, Town Administrator
The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chair Dale Donovan at 7:00 p.m.; the meeting of the Finance Committee was called to order by Berta Bruinooge at 7:00 p.m.
#220--Fire/EMS Department. Chief Alan Hight and Deputy Chief Dan Silverman appeared to present the Fire Department budget. [Helen Wilson recused herself from discussion and moved from the table.] Hight noted that salaries for the department have been level-funded pending contract negotiations, that he expects ambulance calls to go up and has requested a slight increase to cover this call increase, and that recruiting has resulted in more call fire-fighters. Ensuing discussion covered the payment of call firefighters and EMTs, including the process by which firemen and EMTs respond to emergency calls. Administrator Tim Smith noted that perceived inequities in salary payment would be addressed in contract negotiations. To Arlene Kirsch's question on the specifics of the Capital
Outlay line, the Chief listed items for which the $12,405 was earmarked: tools, updating supply hose, replacing radio antenna, foam system, etc. Jerry Houk stated his hope that the Chief would adhere to the overtime budget and that it would be spread out a little more evenly; Hight noted that it was governed by the shift system now in place. To Carl Caruso's question on the amount of overtime spent so far for FY2004, he responded that about $47,000 had been spent so far and projected that he would probably spend $120,000 for the year.
Hight proposed two articles for possible presentation on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant:
An article for an 8th full-time firefighter/EMT position, projected costs for which would approximately equal those of the last paramedic position. Ensuing discussion questioned the effectiveness of the present system of 7 full-time paramedics over the system which preceded it, when the department had none. Berta Bruinooge stated that the full-time year-round population of the town had not increased 8-fold; Hight noted that the call population had decreased and Silverman added that, in an aging population, the call volume had increased and that the level of care had notably increased patients' chances of recovery. Arlene Kirsch stated that FinCom would like to see all associated costs involved with this proposed warrant article.
An article to allow Town Meeting, in the case of a parcel of land (adjacent to the Police/Fire Station) taken as a roadway by the State in behalf of the Town, to discontinue use of this parcel as a roadway. There will be no cost to the Town.
Dan Silverman added to discussion another proposal for a Warrant Article; as a result of recent state legislation, call firefighters may be allowed to buy into town insurance at full cost, and Silverman wishes to propose this offer as a benefit for call firefighters' service to the Town.
# 510 and 171--Health and Conservation. [Helen Wilson rejoined the discussion.] Health/Conservation Agent Emily Beebe presented her budgets for her department, which she noted were level-funded. In response to a question from Jerry Houk on the line for Seminars and Training, Beebe stated that this provided $100 for each Board of Health member to attend a seminar or training session each year. Tim Smith stated that he intended to separate the Board of Health from the Health Department for the final budget (as is the case with the Conservation Commission budget). The Finance Committee commended Ms. Beebe's level-funding.
#241--Building Department. Building Inspector Richard Asmann presented his budget, prefacing discussion by noting that the department had done well in collecting revenues last year; in 2002, $53,432 had been collected for building permits as compared to 2003, in which $74,751 had been collected. Asmann stated that part-time, non-WEA employees were experiencing a salary gap and that he would like to increase salaries for these positions from the present $21/hour/inspection to bring them more in line with the $25/hour which is customary in surrounding towns. He stated that a fee increase was possible if the BOS so advised (plumbing, gas, electrical fees); Dale Donovan asked if this would cover $25/hour/inspection. Tim Smith noted that the department was raising about 80% of salaries in fees. Asmann added that the 20% increase in fees last year contributed substantially to revenues, combined with a significant increase in the value of construction.
#699--Beach Program. In the absence of Suzanne Thomas, Tim Smith presented the Beach Program budget. [Berta Bruinooge disclosed that she has worked as a beach sticker clerk for the past two summers, and hopes to do so again this summer.] Smith noted a correction the Overtime line--not $9000 but $3000. He stated the revenues taken in for FY03 were $515,322; to date, $459,349 has come in. Nancy Bone questioned the reason for the drop in the Contract Services line; Smith stated that he would find out.
Landfill, Lieutenant Island Bridge, Uncle Tim's Bridge. Smith distributed information to Finance Committee on projected costs for the landfill, Lieutenant Island Bridge and Uncle Tim's Bridge. In the case of the landfill, a total of $1.6 million had been appropriated; the town will need $700,000-800,000 further. Smith stated that Paul Gabriel of Environmental Partners would meet with the Boards at the beginning of February to explain the increase: contractors had underestimated the "waste footprint" and some of the information DEP had supplied to the engineers was not accurate. For Lieutenant Island Bridge the estimate is $700,000-$1,000,000 and the Town is looking at several different considerations, including putting in a temporary bridge while building the
"real" bridge, a concrete structure which would cost $1 million. Uncle Tim's Bridge, Smith stated, must be rebuilt (cost $250,000-300,000). Warning signs will be placed at both bridges. Following discussion touched upon debt exclusions for capital equipment and facilities; Smith noted that Wellfleet is in excellent shape regarding its debt position. Helen Wilson stated, concerning the options on the landfill, that she would like to read about and know what is legally required for capping the dump.
Minutes of January 5, 2004. Helen Wilson moved that the BOS approve the minutes of 1-5-04; Ira Wood seconded; the motion carried, 4-0-1 (Houk abstaining).
Gerry Houk moved for adjournment; the meeting closed at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Frances J. Castillo, Committee Secretary
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Berta Bruinooge, Chair Dale Donovan, Chair
Finance Committee Board of Selectmen
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Michael May
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Jerry Houk
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Ira Wood
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Helen Miranda Wilson
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