1/27/2011 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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I ' I tons less than in 2008. The Recycling Committee is disappointed that the numbers were not better because the expectation was that switching to Single Stream would substantially increase the recrclables tonnage. fir. Gasior noted that the transfer station tonnage has steadily decreased from 4,805 in the year 2003 to 3,896 in 2010. The Recycling Committee is studying ways to decrease the amount of transfer station tonnage which is delivered to SEMass at a cost of o per ton, and increase the amount of recyclable tonnage. A non-binding referendum question was included on the election ballot this year, asking voters to choose either curbside pickup, pay-as-yourthrow, or do nothing. The voters opted to do nothing. The Selectmen are considering including the question as an article on a future Town Warrant. Joke Mason stated that the town is actively investigating alternatives to SEMass. FRIENDS s of THE MASHPEE SCHOOLS--William Johnson Barbara Cotton, Chairman of the Friends of the Mashpee Schools, introduced herself to the committee. William Johnson thanked Ms.. cotton for her presence at the meeting tonight. 1. Transparency Definition Mr. Johnson noted that the school uses the term "transparency" frequently in articles appearing in the Ilashpee Enterpr*se, and asked Ms. Cotton what the terra transparency means to the Friends and-the School Committee. Mr. Johnson stated that transparency to the Finance Committee meant having an understanding of where all the spending was going, because at the end of the day, the committee wants to ensure that the teachers and children have the proper resources, and the.committee's concern is to make sure that the spending is not restrictive, but is accountable. Mr. Johnson added that the job of the Finance Committee is to protect the voters, and to provide them with as much information as possible as to where the money is gong. Ms. Cotton stated that her definition of the term transparency was 1 fully accurate and timely disclosure of information; 2 assurance that all of the relevant information is freely available to the public; 3 how much information you have to market and invest. Ms. cotton stated her strong feeling that all three of these definitions applied and were relevant to what the schools have done to comply with their claim to being transparent. 2. Access to Infor a ion from the School Ms. Cotton stated that the Friends felt that they were doing very well with regard to getting information from the school. She feels she has received full courtesy with regard to the budgeting process from both the school committee and the superintendent. The Friends have been hosted in a variety of settings and have been provided opportunities to ask questions and to provide feedback and comments. All information has been provided to the Friends, including copies of the budget and Excel spreadsheets, and they are working on understanding how the MUNIS numbers relate to those in Excel. William Johnson stated that the Finance Committee is interested in analyzing the figures in the budget; for example, looking at the average cost per student over a range of time. This Kind of analysis tells a,story of what is happening,in the school system, and Mr. Johnson felt that it has been missing from information corning frofti the school. . Understanding of the FY 2011-2012 School Budget Barbara r Cotton stated that at this time the Friends are satisfied with the school budget, with the a understanding that the numbers are constantly changing. Ms. cotton added that right now she feels the budget is a fair assessment of what is needed.