03/05/1991 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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Finance Committee Minutes March 5, 1991 Page 3. Members agreed to let the Department Heads present their cases to the Committee rather than address the budgets again. It was agreed that there was a need for "fine tuning" of budgets, and this would be done when department heads present the impact of the preliminary budget recommendations. The consensus was that there were no major problems with the preliminary budgets. Carl expressed some concern about the school and noted that he would get an impact statement from Dr. DeMoura. Chairman Vaccaro noted that the State Ethics Commission and Joe Reardon have both written position statements regarding member Gallo's possible conflict of interest status. Tony informed the members that he plans to address the Committee shortly on this matter. The Finance Committee turned their attention to new business matters. The Finance Committee has set aside money for the PAP article. The Selectmen have asked the Committee to review this article. The Finance Committee's first recommendation was a wage freeze, however if that failed the members felt that the PAP people should stay at 4% to keep them in line with employees covered by contractual agreements. Deirdre motioned that the Committee reconsider this recommendation. Carl Heller seconded the motion. This motion failed. There were three votes in favor and three votes opposed. Those opposed were, Jim, Tony and Carole. Finance Committee members addressed the article relating to the costs . associated with the engineering services for groundwater contamination at in the Summerwood/Ashers Path area. Tony Gallo motioned that the $30,000 for this article, Article 9, be subject to a 22override. This motion was seconded by John Ferriday. Carl noted that the state has mandated this and it needs to be addressed and he questioned whether the $30,000 would be adequate. Elias McQuade the Health Agent was present at the meeting and he informed the Committee that the Health Department really needs somewhere between $100,000 and- $120,000. John Ferriday motioned that the discussion of this article be tabled until the Committee gets more information about the costs. Carole Dunivan seconded this and all members voting agreed. Deirdre stepped down from this discussion and did not vote. Members discussed the article that would transfer money left in the Middle School Roof Account and the Landfill Construction Account to the Senior Citizen Addition Account. The article is1or $242,000. Jim noted that the Friends of Seniors have hired an architect on their own for the renovation and addition. Also this addition would not entail additional personnel or landscaping costs. The Board of Selectmen endorse this article. This article would not impact the FY92 budget. Deirdre expressed her concern about the impact of this addition on future budgets i.e. , heat, light, phone, custodial maintenance, etc. She would like to see the projected increases that will be mandated for this addition. Tony stated his belief that $242,000 for this addition is totally inappropriate. He feels that the town should let the money sit and collect interest. He expressed concern that something might happen to the old town hall and the money for any sort of a building should be put in the town hall. Jim reminded members that at the October town meeting the Finance Committee had asked for a Master Plan before there was any major capital expenditure To date there is no Master Plan. Jim noted that the Senior Center project is the most worthy project at the moment and it has been innovative, but until there is a Master Plan how does the Committee know that this is the one to start with. Jim stressed that this .money can only i