08/15/1989 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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inance Committee Minutes ugust 15, 1989 age 3. Article #6 - This article involves three accounts that need to be straightened out. Jeff Nutting noted that at present he is not sure where the money is going to come from and as soon as he has an answer he will contact Chairman Dolan. The Finance Committee will make their recommendation on the floor. Chairman Dolan noted that he had received one Request for Transfer from the Reserve Account. He noted that the request was from the DPW Director in the amount of $920.00 to be paid to the Albany Tree Company for payment for tree work performed after the storm of July 17th. Members concurred that Ernie should be using his money for this and were not inclined to recommend. Jim Vacarro motioned the Finance Committee not approve this Request for Transfer, seconded by John Ferriday, unanimous vote of approval. Members of the Board of Health, their secretary, and Doug Boyd, the Building Inspector joined the meeting. Ronnie, the Health Department Secretary first addressed the Finance Committee. Ronnie explained that the calculations for the clerical and wage salaries were in error, explaining that the rates for fiscal year 89 were used for the clerical salary and part of the wage account. The cost-of-living was not adjusted for the part-time position. She was seeking a transfer of funds in the amount of $1,135.20 from the Reserve Fund. Chairman Dolan noted that the Finance Committee had just been informed by the Town Accountant that they were unable to use the Reserve Fund for salaries. He stated that she would have to make this an article on the November Warrant. George Costa next addressed the Commitk e. He noted that there is a backlog of work in the Health Department and the Building Department. He noted that the operation of the transfer station involves billing the haulers and keeping track of the receivables. He stated that at present there are no computers in the Health or Building Departments and they are being consumed with paper work, so much so that he is utilizing his own personal computer to get the' work processed. It was noted that the town computer is really not adequate for this type of work and the Health Department really needs to control the various packers and their routes and keep tight control on the receivables. Health members also noted that the Town Clerk had informed them that their records were not secure enough and that they needed to be updated. This will require a list of all properties, which will take an enormous amount of time if all files are updated mznually. George stated that the Health Department can bring in more money if they have the computer capacity to do so. The present computer the town has is not adequate for their needs and they are seeking two computers, at a cost of $8,500. The Health and Building Departments will operate with one file. Doug noted that he was somewhat disturbed by the fact that the two Departments that bring in the most mone:.y have the most problem getting help. The Finance Committee members were in agreement that the computers were a necessity and that the funds should be encumbered and the money transferred out of Free Cash in November. In regard to the need for additional help in both the Health Department and the Building Department it was agreed to go with the following: the Board of Health will transfer money ($2492.00) from the lagoon account to fund the upgrading of a clerical position from part-time to full-time and Doug Boyd of the Building Department will seek a part-time clerical position for his department at the November special town meeting. Carl Heller motioned for a Finance Committee vote of approval to . encumber a maximum amount of $8,500 from the Reserve Account for the purchase of two computers for the Health & Building Departments and that there be an Article in November to transfer money from Free Cash to cover it. This motion was seconded by John Ferriday and there was a unanimous vote of agreement.