08/15/1989 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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+ `Next Finance Committee Meeting - Se tember 26 7 p .m. E'T .}} p..r .,� P. o. Box 1108 �aB�EGp MASHPEE. MA 02649 FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES Town Hall August 15 , 1989 Present: Ed Dolan , Carole Dunivan, John Ferriday , Carl Heller and Jim Vaccaro The Finance Committee convened at 7 p . m. The first order of business was a review of the minutes of the July 12th meeting . Carole moved that the minutes be approved as submitted , seconded by Carl Heller , unanimous vote of approval . Diane Rommelmeyer the Town Accountant joined the meeting to discuss a new accounting system entitled UMAS , Universal Municipal Accounting System. Diane noted that this system, geared to the computer , provides for a lot more dada and +accountability . . The Finance Committee could be provided with audit trails of various accounts . Diane stated that the implementation would cost somewhere between $3 , 000 and $4 , 000 and that there are funds available in auditing. This system would provide for more .accountability as it segregates charges within line items, allowing Finance Committee members to track how money is being spent. Chairman Dolan informed the Finance Committee that this system will probably be mandated in 3 to 4 years. Diane expressed her concern that the first year of conversion could be rough and that all budgets would have to be submitted on a particular form with classifications. Jeff Nutting the interim Executive Secretary joined the meeting and stated that he would be able to get some of the forms that the other towns are using. Diane again stressed that this system will eventually save money, however it can not be done unless budgets are submitted on the proper form. Diane will have an Article in the November Special Town Meeting seeking to have the money transferred from Auditing to start the conversion to UMAS. The Finance Committee expressed their support for the Town Accountant's proposal. John Ferriday moved that the Finance Committee support the UMAS conversion, seconded by Carl Heller and there was a unanimous vote of approval. Ed suggested that there be a meeting in October with all the Department Heads explaining the new budget forms. Diane also informed the Committee that the Free Cash figure has not yet been certified. Her predic.tion was somewhere around $700,000. She also stressed the need to be conservative about estimated receipts. It appears that according to the Cherry Sheet the town is looking for approximately $245,000. Jeff Nutting noted that he will be meeting with the Selectmen to see where this money is to come from.