03/02/1993 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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Ed mentioned other services related to the beaches (raking, trash collection and portable toilets) that are not covered by the rate increase. He asked in the employee benefits are covered by the rate increase. Bob is not sure if they were factored in, so he will review those line items with the Treasurer. Wel le Maintenance Program The Selectmen plan to move the mechanic out of the Police budget and into the DPW budget (adding to the'1 mechanic already there), move the line items for vehicle maintenance and fuel from all the budgets into a Selectmen-controlled new Vehicle Fuel & Maintenance line item. This amounts to about $126,515 already in the budgets. Deirdre asked if there was any correlation between this amount of budgeting and the Town Accountant's finding that $13,000 was expended for vehicle maintenance. Bob said no, but if that's all it costs to maintain vehicles, then departments have been seriously over-budgeting in this area. The Fire & Rescue Dept. mechanic will be transferred. He specializes in fire apparatus and works on an as-needed basis. Pdy�gizatign of Build n n Bob stated we have only 1'/2 janitors to support 6 buildings: town hall, library, senior center (newly expanded), police, museum and archives. Currently, the library and archives are cleaned by contractors, and the police is cleaned by Special Police Officers(who volunteer). Those cleaning service funds will be moved to Building & Grounds.Maintenance line item. The '/s janitor will be re-assigned as a.DPW full- time laborer. The janitor will become a maintenance person also working out of the DPW. John Ferriday suggested one person in each building be responsible for seeing that the work is done and reporting to Bob. Nancy agreed with this approach. Ed noted that there are increases, but no cuts and Nancy disagreed. There have been cuts in town insurance and short-term borrowing, and the Selectmen anticipate future savings from privatizing cleaning, in-house vehicle maintenance, and fuel tracking. Ed said he is not comfortable with increased :spending when we face very tough times. Amax of Concern to,the Selectmen Bob reiterated areas of concern that the Selectmen's letter mentions which they would like the Finance Committee to "take extra care in reviewing" They are: 1) police and fire expense, especially communication; 2)police and fire overtime; 3)fire callback wages. REVENUES Bob pointed out that he has expended only 1% higher than last year. Ed and Dan suggested the Pension Trust Fund is low and needs to be replenished; therefore, we should apply whatever excess revenues and/or free cash we have to the Pension Trust Fund and the Stabilization Fund. Deirdre mentioned the Finance Committee's goal of setting aside 1% of the 21/z% levy increase. 'Bob said he thinks they have achieved that, since there is $161,124 still unexpended. Deirdre mentioned the Finance Committee's goal of placing $250,000.in the Stabilization Fund toward replacement of vehicles and equipment. Bob said he fully supports that, but feels the real management effort will take place in the Capital Improvement Program Committee. Its purpose will be to create a 6-year capital program, regular capital needs and major capital projects, which is the most crucial, issue facing us. CIP bylaw requires a Finance Committee member. Deirdre asked Selectman Caffyn to place an article on the warrant to modify the town bylaw that disallows Finance Committee members from serving on any other body, to make an exception for the Capital Improvement Program Committee.