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MASHPEE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 21, 1995 EXECUTIVE SESSION COMMENCED AT 5:50PM Finance Committee members present: Marcia King, Chairman; Sid Golub; Dan Goggin; Juan Bacigalupi; Tony Gallo and Alec Watt. Selectmen present: Jim Vaccaro, Chairman; George Costa and Nancy Caffyn. Bob Whritenour, Executive Secretary was present for the Executive Session discussion. Ms. King explained that the main concern of the Finance Committee was that the contracts are very generous. She mentioned that the Department of Public Works and the Clerical Union just received raises in May. Ms. King asked what would occur for employees who receive step increases in July? Mr. Whritenour answered that if contracts have not been settled, they will still receive a 4% step. Ms. King also mentioned that she was surprised that step increases will be continued. Mr. Costa mentioned that the Selectmen agree that steps should be discontinued, but it will cost the Town to get rid of them. Ms. King felt that it was wrong that Municipal employees were getting much more money than State employees and it is at the property owner's expense. Mr. Whritenour gave out a comparison of other towns on the Cape and their salary increases. Mr. Golub reminded Selectmen Vaccaro and the other Selectmen of their joint meeting of June 15th and how the Finance Committee recommended a 9% increase, inclusive of cost of living and steps, and not an 11% increase. Mr. Whritenour stated that these contract settlements are the lowest they have been in years. Mr. Costa claimed that Mashpee pays the lowest wages on the Cape. Mr. Golub asked to see these facts. Mr. Goggin agreed. He asked Mr. Costa to provide the Finance committee with 'these facts so that they could also review this information. Mr. Goggin asked the group to look at the Clerical contract. He mentioned that the steps are increasing from 10 steps to 15 steps. He asked if the maximum was changing? Mr. Whritenour answered no the maximum is not changing. Ms. Caffyn did not remember agreeing to this change. Mr. Vaccaro stated that yes steps were added but there is a lot of give back in these contracts. Mr. Golub again stated that the Finance Committee had agreed only to a 4%, 3% and a 2% to equal 9%. He mentioned that new employees are being hired and some are receiving a 5% increase in a year. Mr. Whritenour did not believe a 0%, 2% and 2% increase would be settled. He did not feel that the increases could be kept within 9%. Ms. Caffyn reminded everyone that Mashpee has the second highest tax rates on the Cape. Ms. King asked why the Town does not have labor attorneys negotiating contracts? Mr. Vaccaro answered that it would be very expensive.