10/04/1988 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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I Finance Committee Minutes October 4, 1988 Page 2. position will be a Step 18. Chairman Heller questioned the Chief regarding the fee schedule. Ridgeway stated that there will be an Article at the Annual Town Meeting to change fines for false alarms. Currently the fine for a false alarm is $25 after 3 offenses. Ridgeway proposes that the fine be $200 after the third offense, that figure represents the approximate cost of the call. There was general consensus that repeat offenders should pay the cost of the call. The cost to the town is in recall costs. Not only are the present fines ludicrous according to Ridgeway but they are not being collected! Chairman Heller noted that there may be some need for judging individual cases before assessing fines and the biggest problem in this area is the multiple dwelling units. Heller believes that the cost of the second false alarm should cover also the cost of the first false alarm. Every alarm call will go. on the computer for billing, after three times in a 12-month period a bill will be issued. Edward Dolan moved the Article, John Ferriday seconded, Article 31 approved by the Finance Committee. Article 32 seeks $7,200 for the Firefighter Wages Account. These funds were expended for the two-seasonal men the Department had. There is a shortfall in this account and there are two reasons. Ridgeway noted that one man is off on a disability and probably will not ever return to work. There is also another man on disability probably for the rest of the year. In addition to this two men are in paramedic school. When these two men are in training the Dept. will require coverage. Heller suggested that the Chief rework the figure and set it at what he needs so that he will not have to come back for more money at some future date. Ridgeway conceded that he needed $30,000. Heller proposed that the Finance Committee seek to amend this Article to $30,000, William Towner seconded and the Finance Committee approved. The Chief was asked to comment on Article 33, an Article submitted by the Police Chief. This Article seeks to purchase a recording system for the Police, Fire and Civil Defense emergency lines. Ridgeway noted that the current system is totally outdated and for legal reasons it is necessary to install this new system. John Ferriday questioned if the old system could be utilized somewhere in the town, however, Ridgeway was unsure about it. Chairman Heller noted that Chief Frye would be asked to address this Article with the Finance Committee. Gerry Sewell opposed the recording system on the grounds that he believed it was not cost-justified. Chief Ridgeway feels funds will be recovered in legal fees alone. The Chief next addressed the Request for Funds Transfer to repair the exterior of the Fire Station. He submitted the bids to the Finance Committee for consideration and they will be discussed at the next meeting. Diane Kingsley of the Library joined the meeting to discuss the termite situation at the Library. Bids to treat the Library are in, the pesticides have been checked out and the Better Business Bureau contacted to check on the bidders. William Towner moved to accept the Terminix Bid, Gerry Sewell seconded, funds approved by the Finance Committee. Diane Kingley also noted the shelving currently bolted to the wall must be removed. Heller suggested that she try to arrange the work with the DPW and arrange for a Request for Transfer to support the cost and appear before the Finance Committee again.