04/09/1991 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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Tafull of r• !11 s'y . P. O. BOX 1109 �ARLEc�'' MASHPEE. MA 02549 FINANCE COMMITTEE MZNMS April 9, 1991 Town Hall Present: Carole Dunivan, John Ferriday, Tony Gallo, Deirdre Greelish, Carl Heller, Vern Polka and Jim Vaccaro The Finance Committee was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Tony Gallo motioned that the Finance Committee minutes of March 21st be approved as submitted. The motion was seconded by Carole and there was unanimous agreement. Members reviewed the minutes of April 2nd. Jim noted a - correction to page 3, paragraph 4. The paragraph should read as follows. "The $9,000 reduction to unemployment would make it $91,000. Denise the part—time clerk will be laid off. This would leave a total of $91,000 in unemployment. Jim stated that this was a 'comfortable" figure in view of the fact that the school is only anticipating laying off 2.5 people." Tony motioned for approval of the amended minutes and Vern seconded. All members were in agreement. Jim read to the Committee a copy of a letter that the Mashpee Taxpayers' Association has sent to the School Committee. The letter noted that the School budget may have been substantially over-estimated last May noting that as of April 1st the School has only spent 50% of their budget and currently has a surplus of $368,550. They noted that if $125,000 is directed to pay for the Falmouth tuition deficit they hoped that the School Committee would respond to the "fiscal plight" of the community and return the remaining surplus back to the town to restore some financial security. They have asked for a response from the School Committee prior to Town Meeting. Jim asked members if they cared to respond to this letter. Dr. DeMoura was present at this meeting. Carl noted that there were factors that the public was not aware of such as encumberances, etc. , and he asked Dr. DeMoura to address these. The Superintendent stated that he would prefer not to comment at this time as it was a Finance Committee meeting. Jim stated that he felt that the Finance Committee had a moral obligation to support the Taxpayers' request because last year the Committee was misled and needlessly cut $80,000 from other departments to-give to the school. it now appears teacher aides were needlessly laid off, the town was needlessly placed in a position where it has to assume a $40,000 deficit in unemployment compensation and parents needlessly were required to pay user fees. Jim stated that it was shameful. He also noted that it was his understanding that the stockrooms at the schools are full, and five color televisions have been purchased within the i