03/12/1991 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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-Finance Committee Minutes March 12, 1991 Page 2. • Elimination of choral and band program • Closing of schools after the school day • Elimination of reading revision • Elimination of integrated preschool • Reduction in. guidance program _. • Reduction in library program Dr. DeMoura stated that if $100,000 were to be added to the recommendation it would give the school some money to readdress some of these program reductions and eliminations. He also stated that there is a need for an additional -teachers in grade three and grade five. Some teachers may be reassigned to avoid layoffs. Reinstating a guidance counselor would also be a consideration. Selectman Jacobson asked if reductions couldn't be made to supplies or, other areas that would not involve programs and staff. The school committee noted that they had already- done this. She also questioned if there would be any surplus funds in this year's budget. Dr. De Moura noted that it was still too early to tell but expressed some hope that there would be some. At present there is some surplus in the energy account. Chairman Vaccaro stated that he did not anticipate any further reduction to the preliminary recommendation of $5,050,000 and hopefully there may be some restoration. Dr.. DeMoura stated that a safe estimate of the Falmouth tuition would be $1,100,000. The Fire Chief and the Deputy joined the meeting to address the Fire Department budget. The Chief expressed his concern about the impact of the budget on his department. He noted that he had submitted a- level-funded budget, and the Selectmen had recommended a cut of $25,000 and then the Finance Committee had recommended an additional cut of $25,000. He stressed that he has $36,000 worth of built in increases in the FY92 budget in the form of steps, etc. This $86,000 reduction to his budget represents a cut of 7.7% to his current budget. The Chief asked the rationale in taking an additional $25,000 over 4 and above the Selectmen's recommendation. Chairman Vaccaro noted that this meeting was not to discuss rational but rather to address impact, however, it was the feeling of the Finance Committee that the initial cut of $25,000 had very little impact on the fire budget . The Chief stated that there is virtually no room to absorb the cut recommended by the Selectmen. The further cut recommended by the Finance Committee will require that the department's on--duty staffing be reduced from four persons to three persons for all shifts. The Chief feels that this action will jeopardize the safety and the well-being of the citizens. He further noted that shift and apparatus staffing of less than four persons is contrary to all existing professional operating- standards and insurance company recommendations for the fire and rescue service. This reduction would mean that the department would no longer be in compliance with the National Fire Protection Associaition and in all probability the town's fire insurance rating would decrease thus costing the taxpayers more for fire insurance. The Chief stated that by putting the $25,000 back in the FY92 budget he could have 4-man shifts throughout the year. If the staffing is cut back the result will be more call-back and this will cost the town more than 4-man staffing. He stressed that state law and existing medical protocol states that four persons are needed to handle life-threatening medical emergencies. He asked Finance Committee to reconsider their recommendation.