12/2/2010 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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TOWN OF MA FINANCE COMMITTEE.- PUBLIC SESSION Town Hall - Conference 'Room 3 Minutes of the Meeting of Thursday, Dec. 2, 201 Committee mittee lember Present: Member b r Absent: Also Present: Oskar Klen rt, Chairman Chuck Ga ior, Vice Chm Joyce Mason, Torn Manager George Schmidt, Clerk Scott McGee Clark Davini Bill Johnson Robert Chalker Chris Avis Chairman Oskar Klenert called the meeting to order at 6:35 1-'1111. OPENING STATEMENT EI T Oskar Klenert opened the meeting with a statement to the Co mi tee, which reads as follows: "As the appointed Chairman of the Finance Committee, it i 'only proper to thank all the members of the commi tee for their selfiess.servi ce to th'e Town of Maslipee. As 2010 comes to an end, and the challenges which lie ahead for 2011 and 2012, 1 would remind the members nbers-of the Board of Selectmen, the Town Manager and all the department heads that despite what may lie ahead, it must be our determination to stick to the challenges and to give it our best for the benefit of the residents of the Torn of Mashpee. Unless there is an urgent reed for any additional meetings in the month of December, this meeting will be the last in the year 2010. Therefore, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New r Year." REVIEW IE1 of MINUTES Minutes from the previous Finance Committee meeting were not available. Review and approval of those minutes was continued to the next Finance Committee meeting. OVERVIEW of 2012 BUDGET—Joyce Mason Joyce Mason stated that the year 2012 will be another challenging year, The department budgets have been submitted and reviews ,,gill begin on M onday, Dec. fits', 201 . Joyce stated thatBoard/Committee mer bers are welcome to attend the budget rev(e�r s, barring attendance of a quorum from any one board or committee. Joyce stated that the torn has asked for level funded budgets from all departments for 2012 with the exception of step increases for longevity. Our Public Safety Department is.,looking to get back to full staffing; the library has asked for funds for two newly created positions. The town has based its ,message to the departments on a level funding with a % increase in state aid. Joyce Mason stated that $1.3 million in free cash has been turned back from ,most departments, from either not filld vacancies, or,cutbacks in budgetary expenses. Despite the % state increase in aid and the $1.31AM in free cash, the town has a shortfall of$11. MM. Joyce Mason stated that all of the town contracts are out; sick costs and health benefit costs are a question for next year, and the town is projecting an 8 % increase over last year. 1