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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCMeetingMinutes_05.08.03 AMENDED FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES May8,2003 Attendance: The following members were present: Jack Watkins, Chairman, Bernice Fink, Vice Chairman, Mike Batsimm, Melinda Coppa, Steve Dawe, Keith Mitchell, Mark Nichols, Paula Porten, and Paul Stewart. Mark Rees, Town Manager, Paul Szymanski, School Business Manager, Rosemary Smedile, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Dan Murphy, Chairman of the School Committee, Lyne Savage, Town Accountant, Ross Hamlin and Assistant,Developers,a reporter for the Eagle Tribune,Diane Huster and others were present. CALL TO ORDER: Jack called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm. MINUTES OF MEETINGS "B" MOVED to approve the Minutes of the April 10 meeting. Melinda seconded and the vote passed 8-0-1 with Jack abstaining. "B" MOVED and Steve seconded to approve the Minutes of the April 15 meeting. The vote passed 5-04 with Mark,Melinda,Paula and Mike abstaining. Melinda informed the group that she had discussions with the Town's finance people and recognized that refinancing at this time is not warranted. Jack asked the members to consider voting on the Foster Farm Warrant Article. "B" expressed concern that the original plans of the school showed an 86,000 to 88,000 square foot building, but the reimbursement figures from SSA show 117,000 square feet. She questions whether a facility of over 88,000 square feet would fit on the parcel of land. Mark Rees, Town Manager,then arrived. Jack began by stating that when he was elected FinCom Chair,he asked for only one thing, which is to work with mutual respect not just for each other's opinions,but also for each other's time and for the process. He went on to note that the respect went further than the Finance Committee; it went throughout the town between the FinCom and the Board of Selectmen, between the FinCom and the School Committee. Jack added that he is honored to be a part of this group that extends into the audience. He went on to note the budget process has been especially difficult with the projected reductions in state aid. Within the last week, Mark Rees informed the FinCom that the House Ways & Means budget made further state aid cuts. The budget yielded additional dollars when Mark Rees reviewed existing accounts. One of the accounts that was being examined for a couple of months yielded additional dollars that Mark Rees brought to the table for funding the health department visiting nurse program, police and fire department. The Special Education Circuit Breaker line item shows up in the Governor's and the House Ways and Means budgets. After investigation, Mark Rees learned that the Circuit Breaker numbers are real. The amount is $360,000 to $400,000. Further information was received from the Town's health insurance adviser that the health insurance deficit could be reduced from $500,000 to $400,000. Jack said it would appear though all boards of this Town would be satisfied if an additional revenue line item of 5392,000 (rounded figure) was added to the School Department budget. The $100,000 savings from previous health insurance shortfall estimates will be divided evenly between the Police and Fire Departments. There is a possibility that the Circuit Breaker could fall apart, and then the $100,000 that was saved on health insurance, $66,000 would be transferred from Municipal side to the School Department side. Mark Rees noted the changes would not show up at Town Meeting in the Article, but as a Memorandum of Understanding. Jack added that Paul had done a spreadsheet on line items that need fixing. One issue on saving money and raising revenues is to implement a viable recycling program. Although it is not feasible for the FY04 budget to be presented at the Annual Town Meeting in four days, Jack said the FinCom would devote more attention to trash and health insurance issues in the coming months. Keith made a MOTION to recommend favorable action on the budget as adjusted. Paula seconded the MOTION. "B" made a MOTION to amend the MOTION to reduce by $214,885 the $392,000 if there was a 50150 in that amount in FY03. No one seconded. Steve was reluctant to vote on this budget until additional information is available on the unemployment figures. Keith MOTIONED to suspend the rules and Mike seconded. The vote passed 6-0-3 with"B", Steve, and Melinda opposed. There was no further discussion so Jack asked for a vote on the MOTION. The MOTION passed 6-0-3 with Steve,Melinda and"B"abstaining. Paula then moved to amend Article 9 based on the new numbers. Keith seconded and the MOTION passed 8-0-1 with"B"opposed. Steve made a MOTION to recommend favorable action on Article 11,payment of prior year's bills,if not to exceed $1,700. Keith seconded and it passed unanimously. Ross Hamlin then made a presentation on a proposed mall to be located on Route 114. He noted his plan is contingent on approval of Article 26 in the Town Warrant that is a request to rezone the parcel of land from R4 to General Business. In his proposal,the traffic lights on that stretch of road will be coordinated. He emphasized the mall will increase Town revenues and may attract similar businesses to the area. Ross then went on to speak for the Eagle Tribune concerning a parcel of land it wishes to develop for a CVS. In Article 27, a request is to rezone this land from B4 to General Business in.order to build a pharmacy. He noted the development would create revenues for the Town through taxes and fees. The FinCom thanked him for his presentation. Keith then MOTIONED to recommend favorable action on Article 26. Steve seconded and the vote was unanimous. After a brief discussion, Keith made a MOTION to recommend unfavorable action on Article 27. "B" seconded the MOTION. The FinCom then decided to take no action on this Article, so Keith withdrew his MOTION. Lyne Savage, Town Accountant, then described the issues with the Restaurant Inspections and Septic Services Accounts. These monies are collected through services provided by the Board of Health. Lyne noted that in the past, these accounts were not tracked properly because they were grouped together. She has now separated them into three separate accounts. Keith made a MOTION to recommend unfavorable action on Articles 7 and S. After a brief discussion,Keith withdrew his MOTION. Jack then asked the FinCom to consider a vote on Article 14,the Foster Farm project. "B"MOVED to recommend unfavorable action on this Article. There was no second. Melinda then MOVED favorable action on Article 14 as amended by the amended paragraph distributed at the last meeting by Al Perry and Chuck Ormsby. Mike seconded and the MOTION passed 8-0-1 with"B"opposed. Jack then went through his Town Meeting presentation with the group. The FinCom made revisions as necessary. The group praised Jack for his effort. Melinda MOTIONED to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 pm. "B"seconded and the vote was unanimous.