HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCMeetingMinutes_11.15.01 Finance Committee Meeting November 15,2001 Page 1
FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES
November 15,2001
ATTENDANCE
Members present: Michael Garron,Chairman;Bernice Fink,Vice Chairman;Keith Mitchell;Paula Porten;Paul Stewart;
and Jack Watkins.
Not Present: Paul Theberge
Also present: Robert Nicetta,Building Inspector;Kathleen Gorman,Council on Aging Director;Police Chief Richard
Stanley;William Hmurciak,D.P.W.Director; Kathy Bligh and AIbert Cullen, Stevens Estate
PUBLIC HEARING
Michael Garron called the Public Hearing to order at 7:16p.m.
Open Discussion_of Warrant Articles for December 3,2001 Special Town Meeting
Acoustics Upgrade in Senior Center
Building Commissioner Robert Nicetta explained the$20,000 request under General Government expenses in Article 1.
The requested funds are needed to correct hearing and vibration problems in the Senior Center's main meeting room
because the building was constructed without an acoustical ceiling. The cost includes material,labor and the lowering of
18 to 20 sprinkler heads. Kathleen Gorman,Council on Aging Director,added that if the ceiling correction is not enough,
it could cost an additional$3,000 for wall hangings.
Osgood Hill Renovations and Improvements
Al Cullen,Chairman of the Stevens Estate Board of Trustees explained the need for the three requests for renovations and
improvements:
1. $25,000-Landscape Renovations. The landscaping is needed to keep up with competition. Renovations
will be broken down into phases,with the first phase costing approximately$130.0K. The$25AK request
will be applied towards the first phase. The total cost of the entire renovation project will be between
$300,000 and$400,000.
2. $139,266—Re-pointing of main building.This is the next major project to be performed on their priority list.
The requested amount will be applied towards the total cost of re-pointing,which could reach$200,000.
3. $50,000—Kitchen Code Improvements. The kitchen needs to be brought up to code.
The Finance Director clarified that it is required that all appropriations be approved at Town Meeting even though the
money is in the Reserve Fund. However,if it is appropriated in an open Article,there is no time limit to spend the money.
He recommended that the$139,266 and the$50,000 be combined and renamed`Building Improvements"in order to have
more flexibility in spending the money. He also said that he would work.out an interest allocation to the Fund.
Reverse 9-1-1 System
Chief William Stanley said that he was asked to bring the request for the$51,081 Reverse 9-1-1 System forward at this
time. It is not considered an anti-terrorism piece of equipment,rather its purpose is to better communicate to the public,
and enhance public relations and safety. He said there is a recurring cost every year of approximately$11,255 based on
today's numbers. He is trying to increase the $95,000 received yearly for Police Allocation from the State so that he can
apply the increase to the recurring cost. There is also an annual maintenance cost of$7,000. The cost for the first year is
approximately 542,300,which pays for the equipment($38,772),the installation of the phone lines and a half-year of
service. The funding will come from the transfer of a sidewalk project approved in the May Town Meeting.
Water SecuriV S stem
Public Works Director Bill Hmurciak explained that based on a quote of$68,000 from ADT Fire and Security Systems,a
total of eleven cameras will be placed in two reservoirs and the Water Treatment Plant. Chief Stanley explained that a
camera will click on when there is a movement,record and store pictures and data;and trigger an alarm at the Police
Station. Installation cost is approximately$44,000. There is a recurring annual cost of$6,400,with a percentage
included for any additional procurement and contingency costs. Other costs are$5,585 for reservoir barbed wire,$1,500
for Water Treatment Plant gates,and$29;000 for reservoir cover repairs.
Finance Committee Meeting November 15,2001 Pape 2
The Public Works Director said that an additional$30,000 is needed for water chemicals due to an error in the May Town
Meering funding amount. Also,an additional$37,321 is needed for G.L.S.D.assessment because the final assessment was
higher than the estimate.
The Public Hearing ended at approximately 8:15 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: The Meeting was called to order at 8:15:p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Keith Mitchell made a MOTION, seconded by Jack Watkins,to approve the Finance Committee minutes of November 8,
2001 as amended. Vote approved 5—0—1 (Bernice Fink abstained.)
OLD BUSINESS
The Finance Director said there is$327,000 in Free Cash,which is more than enough to cover the recommended increases
and keep the budget in balance.
VOTE WARRANT ARTICLE_S_FOR DECEMBER 3,2001 SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
ARTICLE 1. Amendments to the General Fund Apprwriation for Fiscal Year 2002
Keith Mitchell made a MOTION,seconded by Paula Porten,to recommend favorable action under Article 1 as follows:
Amend the General Fund Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2002 as voted under Article 6 of the May 14,2001
Annual Town Meeting by:
Transferring from General Government-Personnel to General Government-Expenses the sum of$1,623.
Increasing General Government-expenses $36,000
Increasing Public Safety-Personnel $22,839
— Increasing Public Safety-Expenses $14,900
Increasing Education-Public School Personnel/Expenses $65,000
Decreasing Fixed Expenses-Interest on Short Term Debt $80,000
And to appropriate $226,658 from Free Cash to reduce the tax rate,
And further more:
Increasing Fixed Expenses-Stabilization Fund $572,000
Increasing General Government-Finance Comm.Reserve $224,000
To be appropriated from free cash.
Vote approved 6—4.
The committee requested that Chief Dolan's money to pay back$22,839 be monitored.
ARTICLE 2. Amendments to Capital Improvement Plan Appropriation far Fiscal Year 2002
Keith Mitchell made a MOTION,seconded by Jack Watkins,to recommend favorable action under Article 2 as follows:
Amend the Capital Improvement Plan Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2002 as voted under Article 8 of the May
14,2001 Annual Town Meeting as follows:
_Water Enterprise Fund:
Add item 19 `Water Security System' $68,000 to be appropriated from Water Enterprise Fund Reserve
Balance.
General Fund:
Add item 20 `Reverse 911 System' $51,081 to be funded by transferring $51,081 from item 12 `Sidewalk
construction/repair' as voted under Article 8 of the May 14,.2001 Annual Town meeting.
Stevens Estate at Osgood Hill Enterprise Fund:
Add items 21 `Landscape Renovation' $25,000,
22 'Repairs to Main Building'$139,266
23 `Kitchen Improvements' $50,000
to be appropriated from Stevens Estate at Osgood Hill Enterprise Fund Reserve Balance
Vote approved 6—0.
Finance Committee Meeting November 15,2001 Page 3
ARTICLE 3. Amendments to Water EnteERrise Fund Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2002
Jack Watkins made a MOTION,seconded by Keith Mitchell,to recommend favorable action under Article 3 as follows:
Amend the Water Enterprise Fund appropriation for Fiscal Year 2002 voted under Article 9 of the May 14,
2001 Annual Town Meeting by appropriating from the Water Enterprise Fund Reserve Balance,$30,000 to
`water expenses'.
Vote approved 6—0.
ARTICLE 4. Amendments to Sewer Enterprise Fund Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2002
Jack Watkins made a MOTION,seconded by Keith Mitchell,to recommend favorable action under Article 4 as,follows:
Amend the Sewer Enterprise Fund appropriation for Fiscal Year 2002 voted under Article 10 of the May 14,
2001 Annual Town Meeting by appropriating from the Sewer Enterprise Fund Reserve Balance,$37,321 to
`GLSD assessment'.
Vote approved 6—0
Michael Garron requested that the Finance Director write a letter to GLSD to ask for a breakdown.
ARTICLE 5. Amendments to Stevens Estate at Os ood Hill Enterprise Fund Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2002
No action required by the Finance Committee,
ARTICLE 6. Unpaid Bills—Prior Years
Paula Porten made a MOTION,seconded by Jack Watkins,to recommend favorable action under Article 6 as fellows:
Authorize the payment of the following prior year unpaid bills:
Massachusetts Electric: $263.46 for Fire Expenses
C.J.McCarthy Insurance Agency 936.00 for Fixed expenses-property
casualty insurance
C.J.McCarthy Insurance Agency $1,145.00 for Fixed expenses-property
casualty insurance
Metromedia Energy $519.92 for Library expenses
Metromedia Energy $1,943.05 for Water Enterprise exp.
Massachusetts Electric $1,953.25 for Water Enterprise exp.
Eagle Tribune $580.32 for Water Enterprise exp.
And that funds will come from previously authorized departmental budgets as voted at the May 14, 2001
annual town meeting.
Vote Approved 6—0.
ARTICLE_7. Overlay Account Transfers
Keith Mitchell made a MOTION,seconded by Paula Porten,to recommend favorable action under Article 7 as follows:
Authorize the transfer of the following unexpended balances of overlay reserve:
Fiscal Year 1995 $22,110.63
Fiscal Year 1996 $37,918.60
Fiscal Year 1998 $39,970.77
To fund the expenses associated with pending appeals of Edgewood Life Care before the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board.
Vote approved 6—0.
Paul Stewart requested that the Finance Director update the committee of the balance from prior years.
ARTICLE 9. Community Preservation Committee Recommendations for Appropriations
The Finance Director informed the committee that the Community Preservation Committee should be voting on this article
next Monday or Tuesday. Out of the total$140,090 request, $30,000 in bank fees is due now and$13,090 in interest
expenses is due in April before the next Town Meeting. Jack Watkins asked the committee to think about using the
$67,000 to re-point Stevens Estate rather than restore the Old Burying Ground.
Finance Committee Meeting November 15,2001 Page 4
Michael Garron requested that someone from the Community Preservation Committee attend next week's meeting,and the
Finance Committee agreed to delay voting this article until Town Meeting.
Article 11. Acceptance Of Massachusetts General Laws . — —Handicap
Chapter 40 Section 22G Funds Received .,,,,,,,,,,,_
Parkins Violations.
Keith Mitchell made a MOTION,seconded by Jack Watkins,to recommend favorable action on Article 11.
Vote approved 6—0.
Article 13. Amendment of Personnel B laws Section 15—Vacation Leave.
The Finance Director explained that this article merely allows the Town Manager flexibility when he is recruiting
someone. The authorization would be retroactive to town employees hired or promoted on or after November 1,2000.
Paul Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Keith Mitchell,to vote favorable action on Article 13.
Paul Stewart made a MOTION to withdraw the motion,seconded by Keith Mitchell.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Town Hall Renovations: Keith Mitchell said the committee was down to three final vendors who submitted RFP's for the
feasibility study. He also said that an additional$1.0M would be needed to complete the renovations.
A.T.F.C.Annual Meeting: Bernice Fink spoke about the GASB 34,which requires an accounting of the fixed assets of
the Town. The Finance Director said there is an RFP going out on this. There is a policy in town defining assets,
category,cost,and year of depreciation. The audit cost will increase from approximately$30,000 to$45,000 to 50,000.
Financial Task Force: Michael Garron said that the task force is making progress. They will resume meeting in two
weeks with the consultants to decide what to put in their report.
ADJOURNMENT
Paula Porten made a MOTION,seconded by Paul Stewart,to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 p.m.
Vote approved 6—0.
Submitted: Carol Ritchie,Confidential Clerk