04/28/1994 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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2. SPECIAL TOWN MEETING ARTICLES Mr. Goggin indicated that he had spoken to the Executive Secretary prior to the meeting and discussed the Warrant. Mr. Whritenour issued a copy of the attached document for the Finance Committee to review. Mr. Goggin explained that it was the feeling of the Executive Secretary that the surplus amount in medical insurance should be used to offset the budget, as well as free cash, stabilization, unemployment insurance and interest inside 2 1/2. Ms. Sullivan asked why there was such a surplus in medical insurance? Mr. Goggin informed the Committee that he had spoken to Diane Rommelmeyer, Town Accountant, that morning and she indicated that the town only had to pay for 11 months this year. The Committee mentioned that they were very uncomfortable touching stabilization. However, Mr. Goggin felt that it may be essential to fund all of the contracts from stabilization so that the teachers would not be isolated. He also explained that stabilization could only be used with a 2/3rds vote at Town meeting. Ms. Sullivan strongly suggested funding the teachers from stabilization, but have the funding for police come from medical insurance, as Mr. Whritenour recommended.' She believed that it was two totally separate issues. She went on to explain that the Police were unaware that the contracts would settle and did not budget money for this purpose. However, the School Department was funded for FY94 with sufficient monies as to pay the teacher's increases, but chose to spend the money elsewhere. Ms. King supplied a document for the Committee to review called Budget Guidelines, which was given to the Finance Committee last year by the School Department. Number 4 on the document states that step increases for staff will be approximately $101,210, which is the amount the Finance Committee is alleging that Dr. DeMoura spent elsewhere. Ms. King also agreed that the Teachers' Contract was a separate issue from the Police Contract and should be subject to a 2/3rds vote. Ms. Greelish stated that she would rather spend Falmouth Tuition than Stabilization. Mr. Goggin concluding the discussion, asked what the Committee wished to do if everything on the Special town Meeting Warrant was voted yes? The Committee agreed that if Article 4 fails, school budget $200,000) then Article 8 (teacher contract) and Article 19 (Town Hall Study) would come out of Falmouth Tuition. If Article 4 passes,' then the Committee will recommend funding from Stabilization for all contracts. The remaining Articles on the Warrant appeared to be funded from an account which the Committee could agree. TOWN HALL EXPENSE AND STUDY The Committee voted in regard to the request for $15,000 for the .Town Hall study. : - Denise Sullivan MOTIONED to NOT recommend this Article to compl-ete.-.the.:study. Marcia King seconded :the Motion and .. members voted unanimously 5-0 in favor of not recommending this.