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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCMeetingMinutes_05.22.03 APPROVED AMENDED FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES May 22,2003 ATTENDANCE: The following members were present: Jack Watkins, Chairman, Bernice Fink, Vice Chairman,Melinda Coppa, Steve Dawe,Keith Mitchell,Mark Nichols,Mike Batsimm, and Paul Stewart. CALL TO ORDER: Jack called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. Jack then asked Charlie Salisbury, Town Moderator, to address the FinCom. Charlie thanked the group . for all that they did during the budget process. He then stated there is an issue with the Town Charter language concerning responsibility of presenting the budget at Town Meeting. The present language is "the Selectmen shall present the budget to Town Meeting". Charlie believes that responsibility lies with the Finance Committee. He would propose to visit the language in the Charter before the next Town Meeting because as it is now, the wording is ambiguous. This issue could actually be decided upon at Town Meeting. After a lengthy discussion,the FinCom agreed to wait to see the language of the change before voting on this matter. Charlie then went on to express his uncertainty about the override question. The Board of Selectmen may decide not to put this question on the ballot. Again, the Board of Selectmen has the authority to vote down a Special Town Meeting. Paul asked how long the term is beyond Town Meeting for an outgoing FinCom member. Charlie wasn't sure on this but thinks an incumbent can step down after a successor is chosen, qualified and sworn in. Charlie added that for obvious reasons it would be best if members stayed until the end of the fiscal year. Steve then asked Charlie his thoughts concerning FinCom members speaking from their seats or speaking at the microphone at Town Meeting. Charlie's view is the members can speak from their seats, but when expressing a personal opinion, should make that clear to the audience. The group thanked Charlie for coming. MINUTES OF MEETINGS The group began discussions on previous meeting minutes. Steve said that other members, including him, would like three numbers recorded in all Finance Committee votes. It was agreed that votes be recorded as for/against/abstain. Keith then MOVED to approve the Minutes of April 24 as amended. Mike seconded the motion. The vote passed 7-0-1 with Melinda abstaining. Mike MOVED to approve the Minutes of April 29 as amended. Melinda seconded and the vote was unanimous. Mike MOVED to approve the Minutes of May 1 as amended. Melinda seconded and the vote passed 6-0-2 with Keith and Jack abstaining. Mike MOVED to approve the Minutes of May 5 as amended_ "B" seconded and the vote passed 8-0-1 with Keith abstaining. Mike MOVED to approve the Minutes of May 8 as amended. Melinda seconded and the vote was unanimous. Melinda MOVED to approve the Minutes of May 12 as amended. After a short discussion,the group agreed to postpone approval of these Minutes until the next meeting. Melinda withdrew her MOTION. OLD BUSINESS Jack began discussions on financial initiatives presented by the FinCom at Town meeting. Three initiatives to explore are (1) to examine the employee contracts, (2) to insure there is a plan for commercial development, and (3) to save money on trash. Jack suggested the FinCom offer facts, guidance, and advice to Town policy makers. Keith recommended putting a timeframe on the —� trash/recycling issue. He also noted that FinCom sub-committees could address these issues. Jack noted the difficulty in getting information on the health insurance because there are so many managers involved in the benefit administration, contracts, etc. Melinda added that detailed reports are lacking. Jack and Melinda then volunteered to be the health insurance sub-committee to further research the subject. The FinCom then reviewed Paul's list of potential tasks. The members discussed the topics and volunteered for various sub-committees. Jack then notified the group that he had spoken to Rosemary Smedile after Town Meeting. He asked her if it would be interesting to her to know how the FinCom or other boards feel about an override. Jack said that the FinCom could choose one of three actions: Recommend to the Selectmen that the Town should have an override vote,the Town should not have an override vote, or that the FinCom should offer no opinion. Keith made a MOTION that the FinCom makes no recommendation concerning an override at this time. Keith went on to state that the FinCom is not a policy maker, it is the Board of Selectmen's call; the FinCom tried to present an override in the past and it backfired; the FinCom doesn't want to be used as some kind of crutch; and the FinCom can make a recommendation once the BOS has made its decision. Steve asked if a member has to be present to vote because he will be out of town all summer. Keith's opinion is members cannot call in votes. Steve seconded Keith's MOTION and the vote passed unanimously. Jack then revisited the issue of health benefits. He said if a retiree is eligible for health benefits and lives a normal life, the Town is responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in benefit payments. While it has not been confirmed,Jack has been informed that the qualification for receiving the health benefits has to do with the pension benefit. An employee has to work for the Town for ten years,but it appears that an elected official has to work six years to qualify. If an elected official retires after six years of service and is eligible for a pension, although the pension would be small, upon retirement age he/she would be eligible for the health benefits. FUTURE MEETINGS The finance Committee's next meeting is Tuesday, June 24 at 7:00 pm. in the conference room at Town Hall. Jack's term as Chairman of the Finance Committee is up this year, so the FinCom will vote on this appointment at that meeting. ADJOURNMENT Mike MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 pm. Melinda seconded and the vote passed unanimously.