A meeting convened in Town Hall at 7:33 PM.
Members in attendance: Bothwick, Carr, Croft, Kenney, Martin, Putnam, and Smith
Members absent: Herbster and Swanson
Others present: Town Accountant, Town Administrator, members of the BOS and two citizens
Mr. Bothwick presided.
DEBT EXLCUSION – The BOS and Town Accountant proposed funding capital items with reserves, rather than by debt exclusion. Currently there is $1,800,000 in Free Cash, Stabilization Fund and Overlay Surplus. Projects and purchases are at risk if the debt exclusion vote fails. Decreasing the reserves to $1,500,000 will likely require the recommendation of a general override and debt exclusion for F’10. Looking ahead the only way to stop decreasing Free Cash is to approve a general override.
TOWN WARRANT
The Town Administrator reported that the Fire Station is having an energy conservation inspection done.
Article 3 – The Town Accountant will contact the NSRVS business manager for an explanation of the increase budget request as well as a copy of the agreement.
Article 5, Item 4 – It is guesstimated that the project would cost between $10,-15,000 if the work is done by the Town employees.
Item 6 – The Police Chief is not planning to trade the replaced vehicle, therefore it is available for use by the Fire Chief. The used cruiser will need some amount of money for removal of police equipment, minor repairs, and new tires. The pickup truck owned by the Fire Department can also be sued by the Fire Chief. North Shore Technical School has offered to do the work on the car. A suggestion was made to use the Reserve Fund for the cost of the needed work.
Items 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13 – Mr. Putnam MOVED “to recommend that the funding source for these projects be entirely by taxation”. The MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED.
Article 11 – The Town Administrator recommends passing over this article, since the appropriation will be included in the Cherry Sheet.
Articles 20 and 21 – Adding a deed restriction to the Regional School Lease agreement may create a financial implication, which would require a FinCom recommendation. It was suggested to discuss if there are potential savings after Town Meeting.
PART TIME PLANNER – Two members of the Planning Board joined the meeting. According to the Town Administrator, the Planning Board does not have a consensus for the need for a part time planner. The BOS and FinCom members agree that it is a position they will seek to fund, however there is not a complete understanding of the totality of the position, and the timing is not favorable as they finalize the budget. As previous discussion suggested that Essex would possibly share this position, the Board members will communicate with Essex that they will consider the position next year.
MINUTES – The minutes of 2/26 and 3/4/08 were unanimously adopted. Amendments were made to the minutes of 3/11/08 as follows: STM WARRANT, Article 2 – change $25.00 to a nominal fee; Article 4, Item 30 – eliminate the word encourage and replace with, look into the option of paying… The minutes of 3/11/08 were unanimously adopted as amended.
Mr. Bothwick MOVED “to recommend approval and confirm action taken at the 3/18/08 meeting, and to approve the minutes”. The MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED.
CORRESPONDENCE – A letter was received from the Fire Chief urging the Committee to review the need for capital items requested in Article 5.
MOVIE – The Town Administrator suggested having one person negotiate for the use of the Singing Beach parking lot, and the Singing Beach Club for an upcoming movie. Filming is to take place April 22 – May 8. They also plan to use Tuck’s Point.
The meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Judith Sabella, Clerk
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