HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCMeetingMinutes_12.09.04 Finance Committee Meeting Minutes
December 9,2004
Attendants: Chairman Jack Watkins,Vice Chairman Keith Mitchell,Melinda Coppa,Bernice Fink("B"),Mark Nichols, Paula
?orten,Paul Stewart, Steve Dawe(arriving at 6:35PM),Mark Rees(Town Manager). Also present were Police Chief Richard
Stanley,Police Station Building Committee("PSBC")members Sam.Ameen and Tom Coppa(arriving after the start of the meeting)
and Citizen Ted Tripp. Paula Porten departed 8.00 PM. Melinda Coppa filled in as Secretary in Mike Batsimm's absence.
Call to Order: Chairman Watkins called the meeting to order at 6.30 PM.
Approval of Minutes: Melinda Coppa made a motion to approve the November 18,2004 minutes as written with a second from
Mark Nichols. Paul Stewart abstained from the vote and Steve Dawe was not present for the vote. The six remaining members voted
unanimously in favor of the motion.
New Police Station: Mark Rees recapped the presentation made to the Board of Selectmen(BoS)by the PSBC, including copies of
the memo and support documentation.The nine-member Board appointed Committee,unanimously voted to recommend a$9.1
million project that encompasses 27,000 square feet. The BoS will decide on December 20 whether to hold a Special Town Meeting
for this project on February 7 with a potential ballot vote on March 29(combined with the Town elections). The overall design and
cost of the facility is still under review by the BoS. In his discussion,Mark walked through the process that the PSBC came up with
to support their recommendation. Included in the package the PSBC prepared, is a matrix of 12 different station designs. Each of
these designs looked at various town population sizes as well as elements of the facility. The elements are presented in three
classifications; essential, important and desirable. The recommended facility assumes a population of 37,000 and includes essential
and important elements. In addition to this package,the PSBC provided square footage estimates by room and costs per room on
those items listed"important". The Chief is exploring whether any of the existing Communication Equipment will be transferable to
the new facility.
Mark then addressed the three points of concern outlined by the Finance Committee in a memo written by
Chairman Watkins. He provided estimates of additional operating costs of$100,000 per year. This estimate only encompasses
addition custodial services and utility expenses; it does not included increase in Police personnel. Mark also distributed copies of a
1997 Site Evaluation Report which demonstrates the process the Town took to selecting this particular site. Most importantly, Mark
attempted to address the concerns regarding the financial impact to the average homeowner's tax bill for this project,as well as other
'"major capital expenditures to the town can expect over the next tent-years. The Finance Committee requested some additional
information and will work with Mark in looking at other financing scenarios. The final handout provided a draft of the Article for the
proposed Special Town Meeting. Steve Dawe questioned whether there was any regulations and/or restrictions(State or Federal)in
place that would negatively impact locating the facility neat to the Atkinson Elementary School. The proposed site will not have a
negative impact to either the Elementary or Middle School,according to Mark.
All members of the Finance Committee support the need for the new Police Station. In addition,the
majority of the members support the PSBC's recommendation regarding the elements of the facility. The members also recognize and
appreciate the hard work the Committee has done in the last 13 months.
Revenue/Fixed Cost Advisory Committee: Mark Nichols provided an update on the Committee's progress. Since our last meeting,
the Committee met with Kevin Walsh(Insurance Representative),the Town's four Legislatures and Garrett Boles. At present, it
appears that the State money will be level funded with a potential for a slight increase in Lottery funds. The Committee is on track for
completing its work by the end of December.
Other: Chairman Watkins handed out invitations to the Massachusetts Municipal Association's Annual Meeting and Trade Show on
January 7-8,2005.
Adjournment: Vice Chairman Mitchell made the motion to adjourn,seconded by Mark Nichols,at 8:30PM. All those present voted
unanimously in favor of the motion. The next meeting will be held on December 30,2004.