4/23/1984 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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liSY*� I� To n of lflas;bprr • `' * of i ANCE COMMITTEE Finance Committee Minutes April 23, 1984 Present: Frederic Blythe, Lou Hrone , Jane Peterson, ]avid Roddy, Elizabeth Terry, and William Towner. Also present were the following. Town Accountant Vern Polka, Capital Improvement Committee Chairman John Ferguson. John Wylie, Public Works Committee, attended the meeting regarding quotes received for the new highway garage. The bids were higher than expected because a heating and air conditioner subcontractor was disqualified and the committee had to go the next higher bidder; $500,200. Fred questioned the contractor, Triple A. but Mr. Wylie stated that the architect had eheked and could not find any problems. .The highway department promised to clear and landscape the area, but cannot do it during the busy summer months: This added -to the cost of the building. Fred Blythe felt the town could not afford the building because it would mean approximately $80,000 yearly for 20 years; $58,500 has been earmarked for FY 85. It is rumored that the property when the building will be located does not have a clear title and might have to be taken by eminen-t domain. Fred questioned whether there was anything in the building that wasn't really necessary. Mr. Wylie felt a reduction f $16,000 would be possible with a metal building 80 x 80. if the proposed site isn't available the plans would have to be redrawn and put out to bid again. Mr. Blythe suggested that -the Public Worts Committee meet with the Board of Selectmen as he' felt that the town could put up their own building since federal and state funds will not be used. The committee will meet with Town Counsel., Joseph Reardon,and Burd of SElectmen before the town meeting and try to core up with an -answer. John Fitzgerald stated that the Capital Improvement Committee's prime objecti:re was the highway garage but money is not available for a $500,000 building. The Library Trustees meet with the Finance Committee regarding the librarian' s salary change. They requested $11,362 for F ; Finance Committee's recommendation was $10,029.11. The librarian is not under the PAP but has a one year contract drawn up by the trustees. The trustees would like to establish a salary base for the librarian comparable with the Recreation Director, step 18, under the PAP. After considerable discussion, it was unanimously agreed b both the trustees and the finance committee a salary of $10,374.00 or $10,892-70, depending on whether Plan A or Plan B carries. Fred Blythe felt a letter should be inserted in the warrant explaining the committees views and plans for both the special and the Annual Town Meeting, and suggested Jane Peterson write the letter, Plan A - Under this plan, the employees feel they are only getting 1/2% increase this year. Since the contracts are for two years, the employees will get a 5 1/2% increase this year and 1 next year. The finance committee recommended a 2 1/2% decrease nearly (5 1/2 & 5 1/2 - 2 l 2 1/2 decrease or total) . Many of the employees feel they should receive 5 1/2% for last year and increase this year for a total -of . The request for a transfer of $140.58 from the Deserve Fund to the Park and Recreation Wage- Account was reconsidered and unanimously approved. Wendy Dubin, Director, had been verbally advised that she had spent all her funds but continued to have two employees working and they must be paid within six days. Meeting adjourned 9:25 p.m. Joyce Howell, Secretary