1990- 1991-FINANCE COMMITTEE - Laserfiche WebLink

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Finance Committee March 29, 1990 Page 3. Ed noted that a reclassification for one of her employees had also been removed from her budget. Anne stated that she wants a step plus 2% increase to her salary and if she doesn't get it she doesn't want the $1,000 for overtime wages. Anne challenged the Finance Committee stating that the funds for her budget should be taken from the Reserve Fund. Ed stated that the reserve was for emergencies and Vern stated that particularly this year a reserve was needed - departments are living with such tough conditions, there are bound to be numerous emergency requests for funds. Jane LaBute the Town Clerk offered no opposition to her budget figures noting "What else could she do?" $1,000 had been recommended be put back in her salaries and $1,464 to the Elections and Registrations budget. Chief Frye addressed the Police budget. The Chief asked the Finance Committee to consider moving some of the money around in his budget with the bottom line figure remaining constant. He requested that $2,000 be added to police expenses making the figure $119,289 and asked that $2,00 be subtracted from salaries making the figure $109X683. Carl Heller motioned that the committee vote in favor of this request, Vern seconded and there was a unanimous vote of approval. He stated that he felt where there were going to be no new cruisers he might need the money for the cruiser account and he noted the anticipated increase in utility costs in February. The Fire Chief addressed the committee and asked them to reconsider the recommendation to remove $11,900 from his budget and plance it in a Building and Grounds account. He noted that he keeps close track on building maintenance and feels he can better control maintenance if it is under his control. He feels that if he has autonomy he can do some of his own repair work at a great savings for the town. He stated that maintenace is critical to an emergency operation. Vaccaro noted that the money is available to him, however he must go to the Executive Secretary for it. Jim noted that this is a step toward a maintenance department which the town at present can not afford. The Chief still called for a reconsideration and noted the unique situation of an emergency department. The Chief went on to discuss the Finance Committee's $29,000 cut to wages and noted that there seemed to be a lack of understanding about this cut. He stated that the cut would eliminate one man per shift in the summer months and bring the summer staffing from 5 to 4 - there is no other alternative. He further noted if you drop men - recall goes up. Ed Dolan cited a particular week in March where over 200 hours of overtime had been used. Ed had received the figures from the Town Accountant and discussed them with committee members at an earlier meeting. The Fire Chief stated that Ed did not have his facts together and that he had no right to bring up such information unless he had the proof with him. The Chief stated that Ed should bring the proof of such a statement and vowed to meet and challenge this information on the floor. If the wages are cut, he noted that the training account may have to be cut. He only has 3 EMTs at present and there is a need for more men and there are men who are willing. The Chief stated that the money he needs should come from the $32,700 set aside for articles. The Finance Committee is recommending 0 funding for the Civil Defense. Selectman Hanson spoke out for the need for Civil Defense and noted he hoped there would be no emergencies. The Fire Chief is supposed to assume this function and he emphatically stated that he could not "eat" the expenses that are required by the Civil Defense.