APPROVED MEETING MINUTES
Middleton Finance Committee
Regular Meeting
Fuller Meadow School Library
March 30, 2011
The regular meeting of the Middleton Finance Committee was held on Thursday, March 30, 2011 in the Nathan Media Center of Fuller Meadow School.
Members Present: Steve Cocciardi Co-Chair; Michelle Cresta Co-Chair; John Erickson, George Dow, Toni Mertz and Jill Mann (left at 8:30 pm).
Absent: John Mahoney.
Others Present: Rodney Pendleton, Linda Richards – Masconomet School Committee; Teresa Buono, Deirdre Donarumo, Tasha Cooper, Maria Scarpa – Middleton School Committee; Steve Greenberg, Tri Town School Union; Middleton Police Chief Digi; Kosta Prentakis, Board of Selectmen; and Paula Lanfranchi, Recording Secretary.
Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 7:40 pm by Co-Chair Steve Cocciardi.
Approval of Meeting Minutes:
Minutes of the regular meeting of March 1, 2011, as well as the Executive Session meeting minutes of March 1, 2001 were tabled until next regular meeting.
Discussion and Vote on FY 2012 Omnibus Budget
S. Cocciardi began discussion by stating that members of the Finance Committee have had the opportunity to meet with department heads at other meetings and have discussed budgets and rationales at length. The goal for tonight is to vote on the Omnibus Budget and to go through each section briefly to streamline the process.
Article 2: authorizing the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen to borrow money from time to time.
Motion by J. Erickson to recommend this article. Second by J. Mann. Motion carried 6-0-0.
Article 3: authorizing the Town Personnel Board to amend the Town Consolidated Personnel Plan.
Motion by J. Erickson to recommend this article. Second by J. Mann. Motion carried 6-0-0.
Article 4: Omnibus Budget
When S. Cocciardi asked if anyone had any comments or questions on the FY2012 Omnibus Budget, J. Mann responded that she takes issue with a $10K increase for the Police Department. S. Cocciardi explained that it was more than money; it was the right opportunity to reorganize the department so that it operates more effectively. J. Mann responded that she doesn’t disagree that it’s a sound management decision, but it’s a financial impact at the wrong time. She asked if it was in keeping with the freezing of salaries. Is the increase really necessary at this time?
Chief Digi responded that promotions always come with a financial increase. Chief Digi explained that the department needs a second in command. The time to do this is now – in two or three years things will change again. He currently has two officers studying to take the Sergeant’s Exam, and he feels either officer would make a fine candidate. Both candidates have submitted a letter of interest, copies of which were previously provided to members of the Finance Committee. He noted that he is looking to reconfigure his department – not add to it.
Motion by J. Erickson to approve the FY 2012 Omnibus Budget as presented. Second by G. Dow. Motion carried 5-1-0, with J. Mann abstaining and reiterating her concern over the increase in the Police
Article 5: authorizing the Town to raise and appropriate the sum of $220,485 to complete the funding of the FY 2012 Masconomet Regional School District Budget Assessment.
G. Dow asked J. Erickson about the amounts budgeted for Masconomet. J. Erickson responded that the budget is approximately $850K over last year, and about $650K over the guideline set by the three towns. Middleton’s share is 33%, or $220K; Topsfield is 29%, or $191K; and Boxford is 36% or $240K. He stated that Middleton’s enrollment shift is about half the increase. He also noted that Middleton’s portion of the total amount of the Masconomet budget was over guidelines.
G. Dow was concerned about the confusion voters might have over this warrant article. He also stated that how budgets are configured are the responsibility of the Finance Committee and not the Board of Selectmen. J. Erickson suggested this is not the time to pick this battle – we want to try to avoid confusion on Town Meeting floor. G. Dow stated that in the future he wants to see specifically what the department requests, what the Finance Committee recommends, and what the Board of Selectmen recommends. You cannot assume it’s the same number across the board.
R. Pendleton of the Masconomet School Committee stated they are recertifying their budget again on April 6. The main goal of their School Committee in formulating the budget was not to make any program cuts. It has been hard. They are still working on tweaking the numbers.
Motion by T. Mertz to approve Article 5 as presented. Second by M. Cresta. Motion was voted 3-3-0, with no votes cast by G. Dow, J. Erickson, and S. Cocciardi.
Article 6: pertaining to the amendment of the agreement for the establishment of the Masconomet Regional School District eighth amendment to the agreement for the establishment of the regional school district.
Motion by J. Erickson to recommend as presented. Second by T. Mertz. Motion carried 5-0-0 (J. Mann left the meeting at this time and was not present for the vote).
Article 7: pertaining to the Community Preservation Fund annual revenues, and the proposed Fiscal Year 2012 Community Preservation Budget.
Motion by J. Erickson to recommend as presented. Second by T. Mertz. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 8: pertaining to amending the allowable expenses under Article 5 of the FY 2011 annual town meeting to include design/engineering for the reuse of the land on the lot next to and in front of the Flint Public Library.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by M. Cresta. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 9. pertaining to reallocate the funds approved at the May 2007 Annual Town Meeting, and to re-appropriate the funds for planning and design of the Town Common.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by J. Erickson. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Articles 10-13: pertaining to revolving funds.
Motion by G. Dow to recommend as presented. Second by J. Erickson. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 14. pertaining to the purchase of a replacement base radio system for the Police Department. Article amount is $26,000.00. Funding source is Free Cash.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by J. Erickson. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 15. pertaining to the outfitting and training of four police reserve officers for which vacancies are being filled. Funding source is Free Cash.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by J. Erickson. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 16: pertaining to the Phase Two costs of relocating the portable classrooms from Howe Manning School to the Police Station. Article amount was reduced from $100,000 to $75,000. Funding source is Free Cash.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by J. Erickson. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 17: pertaining to the purchase of two defibrillators for the Fire Department. Article amount is $4,200.00. Funding source is the Ambulance Fund.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by J. Erickson. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 18: pertaining to the purchase of a cardiac monitor/defibrillator to replace the existing “Lifepak 12” monitor which was purchased in 2002. Article amount is $29,000.00. Funding source is the Ambulance Fund.
Motion by J. Erickson to recommend as presented. Second by T. Mertz. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 19: pertaining to the purchase of a new fire hose, equipment and diagnostic tools for Engine 4 for the Middleton Fire Department. Article amount is $23,000.00. Funding source is FEMA funds.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by J. Erickson. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 20: pertaining to miscellaneous repairs to Fire Headquarters, including a roof cricket, exterior walls, and the chimney. Article amount is $20,000.00. Funding source is Free Cash.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by J. Erickson. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 21: pertaining to the purchase of a new rescue boat, outboard and motor trailer for the Fire Department. Article amount is $6,000.00. Funding source is FEMA Funds.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by J. Erickson. Motion carried 4-1-0, with G. Dow casting the no vote
Article 22: on behalf of the Middleton School Committee pertaining to the repair of gutters on the various roofs and install energy efficient lighting in the cafeteria at Fuller Meadow School. Article amount is $36,500.00. Funding sources are $20,000.00 from the Stabilization Fund, and $16,500.00 from Free Cash.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by J. Erickson. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 23: on behalf of the Middleton School Committee pertaining to curriculum instruction and technology purchases. Article amount is $39,000.00. Funding source is Stabilization Fund.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by J. Erickson. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 24: on behalf of the Superintendent of Public Works to install drainage, widen, pave and otherwise improve any public way. Funding source is Chapter 90 Funds.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by J. Erickson. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 25: on behalf of the Superintendent of Public Works to provide additional funds to supplement the State’s Chapter 90 Grant Funds to be used to resurface other town streets within the five year capital improvement plan. Article amount is $100,000.00. Funding source is Free Cash.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by G. Dow. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 26: on behalf of the Superintendent of Public Works to complete the construction of two fields at the East Street Recreational Area. Article amount is $38,000.00.
A vote on this article was held at this time.
Article 27: on behalf of the Superintendent of Public Works to replace the cast iron water main on and resurface Wennerberg Road. Article amount is $190,000.00. Funding source is the Water Fund.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by J. Erickson. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 27: on behalf of the Superintendent of Public Works to replace the cast iron water main on and resurface Wennerberg Road. Article amount is $190,000.00. Funding source is the Water Fund.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by J. Erickson. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 28: on behalf of the Superintendent of Public Works for the repair and restoration of the stone wall at the Merriam Cemetery next to Memorial Hall. Article amount is $16,000.00. Funding source is CPA Funds.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by G. Dow. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 29: on behalf of the Superintendent of Public Works to purchase a utility trailer and snow blower for use by the Highway Department. Article amount is $15,000.00. Funding source is Free Cash.
Motion by G. Dow to recommend as presented. Second by T. Mertz. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 30: on behalf of the Superintendent of Public Works and Director of Public Health for improvements to the DPW building and garage, including wall repairs, new floor tiling and carpeting, plan and file room renovations and the purchase of map/plan file cabinets. Article amount is $28,500.00. Funding source is Free Cash.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by G. Dow. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 31: on behalf of the Superintendent of Public Works to provide civil engineering and consulting services to submit the Town’s permit application to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Stormwater Management Control Act Phase II Program. Article amount is $15,000.00. Funding source is Free Cash.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by G. Dow. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 32: on behalf of the Board of Selectmen for interior and exterior repairs to Memorial Hall and to Old Town Hall. Article amount is $30,500.00. Funding sources are $20,000.00 from Free Cash, and $10,500.00 CPA Funds.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by G. Dow. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Articles 33, 34, 35 and 36: Defer to the Planning Board
Motion by T. Mertz to defer Articles 33-36 to the Planning Board. Second by G. Dow. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 37: on behalf of the Electric Light Commissioners to accept a sum of money from the earnings of the Electric Light Department to be used for the reduction of taxes. There is no dollar amount or funding source associated with this article.
Motion by J. Erickson to recommend as presented. Second by T. Mertz. Motion carried 4-1-0, with the opposing vote cast by G. Dow.
Article 38: on behalf of the Electric Light Commissioners to authorize the appropriation of all income of the Municipal Light Department for the expenses of the department. There is no dollar amount or funding source associated with this article.
Motion by J. Erickson to recommend as presented. Second by T. Mertz. Motion carried 4-1-0, with the opposing vote cast by G. Dow.
Article 39: on behalf of the Board of Selectmen and Assessors to accept Clause 56 of General Laws Chapter 59, Section 5 to allow members of the Massachusetts National Guard or military reservists who are on active duty to obtain a reduction of all or part of their real and personal property taxes for any fiscal year they are serving in a foreign country. There is no dollar amount or funding source associated with this article.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by G. Dow. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 40: on behalf of the Board of Selectmen and Assessors to authorize up to 40 abatements in the Middleton Senior Property Tax Work-Off Program to be effective as of July 1, 2011. There is no dollar amount or funding source associated with this article.
Motion by S. Cocciardi to recommend as presented. Second by T. Mertz. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 41: on behalf of the Board of Selectmen to authorize the negotiation of a long term lease with Middleton Scout Troop 19 of up to 15,000 square feet of town owned property behind the Howe Manning School. There is no dollar amount or funding source associated with this article.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by J. Erickson. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 42: on behalf of the Board of Selectmen and Town Clerk to purchase two vote tabulators – one for the anticipated third precinct and a second to be a backup for all three precincts. Article amount is $9,000.00. Funding source is Free Cash.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by J. Erickson. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 43: on behalf of the Board of Selectmen and Town Clerk to request the Town’s General Court’s delegation to file a home rule petition with the Massachusetts Legislature to exempt the Town from including the population of the Essex County Jail within the official Federal Census count. There is no dollar amount or funding source associated with this article.
Motion by T. Mertz to recommend as presented. Second by J. Erickson. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 44: on behalf of the Board of Selectmen to transfer a sum of money to be taken from Free Cash to apply to and reduce the Fiscal Year 2012 tax rate. After much discussion, the Article Amount was agreed to be $300,000.00.
Motion by J. Erickson to recommend as presented. Second by S. Cocciardi. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 45: on behalf of the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee to appropriate funds to the Stabilization Fund.
Motion by J. Erickson to recommend as presented. Second by T. Mertz. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Article 46: on behalf of the Board of Selectmen to fund the Other Post Employment Benefits Liability Irrevocable Trust Fund. Article amount is $50,000. Funding source is Free Cash.
Motion by J. Erickson to recommend as presented. Second by G. Dow. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Future Meeting Date
The Finance Committee will hold another meeting prior to Annual Town Meeting, that meeting date and time to be later determined.
There being no further business, M. Cresta made a motion to adjourn at 9:50 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Paula Lanfranchi
Recording Secretary
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