MEMBERS PRESENT: Wendy Ballinger, Chairman; Kathy Donahue Constantine Constantinides; David Grace; Joe Armstrong; Lisa Fenton; Paul Lemieux; Tony Vegnani. MEMBERS NOT PRESENT: Kevin Sparks. ALSO PRESENT: Mary Gallagher, Town Accountant; Anthony Antoniello, DPW Director; Mark Patterson, Acting Harbormaster; Rick Murray, Waterways Commission Chairman; Robert MacClellan, Capital Planning Committee Chairman; Marla Minier, Capital Planning Committee.

1.CALL TO ORDER. Chairman Wendy Ballinger called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. in the Scituate Town Library.

2. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA. On a MOTION by Mr. Grace, SECONDED by Mr. Armstrong, the agenda was accepted as written by unanimous vote (8-0).

3. REVIEW OF MUNICIPAL BUDGETS.
Dept. 64 Sewer Enterprise Fund. Mr. Lemieux summarized that 600 homes will be added to the Town sewer. Electricity has been increased by 14 percent for FY07. Mr. Grace said that there is a 22 percent increase in sewer use charges due to more homes being hooked up. He also said that sheets on the betterments and privilege fees had been handed out and that they should be looked at offline and any questions can be asked at a subsequent meeting, as the people who could answer these questions were not present at this meeting. Mr. Antoniello described the computerized function of the wastewater treatment plant. Mr. Vegnani asked why the budget for electricity is not being increased at the 20 percent level that has been used with other departments. Ms. Ballinger said there were some inconsistencies. Ms. Donahue said that there is not a lot of capacity left in the system. Mr. Antoniello talked about II (inflow and infiltration) and said that they had made some progress on this. Ms. Donahue asked about pipe replacements, and pointed out that part of the system is quite old; Mr. Antoniello said that pipe liners can be used. Mr. Grace said that retained earnings is $242,993. Mr. Constantinides asked what percentage of the Town is not on sewer now, and said that it had been suggested that there are areas that will never be on the sewer. Mr. Antoniello said that the entire Town cannot be sewered using the present treatment plan. He said that two more districts could be put on depending on the removal rate and whether the state will allow it. Mr. Vegnani said that he would like to have Mr. Agnew respond to the electricity budget question before voting; it was agreed that the vote would be held.

Dept. 65 Water Enterprise Fund. Ms. Fenton pointed out that while the budget shows an increase of less than one percent, there are three potential “budget busters” that have taken place in the last couple of months and are not reflected in the budget as presented; she said that personnel services have been calculated on the previous year’s contract levels; electrical rates are calculated at a five percent increase rather than 20 percent; and the cost of the purchase of water from Marshfield has increased by 25 percent. She said that Mr. Babin’s wish list includes a third storage tank. Mr. Constantinides asked about line 5344 postage and why it was down in 2005 and up again in 2006; Mr. Antoniello said that he could look into this. Mr. Constantinides also asked about line 5731 dues and subscriptions, which was low in 2004 and higher in 2005. Regarding the increase in water cost from Marshfield, Ms. Fenton said that the rate increase was systemwide. Mr. Armstrong asked about the permit allowance. Mr. Antoniello said that the Town has a water withdrawal permit and that they are working toward a new permit to increase the limit. Ms. Ballinger asked what Scituate’s rates are compared to Marshfield’s; Scituate’s rates are lower. Ms. Donahue said that therefore we are losing money on water for Humarock (paying Marshfield’s rates but charging Scituate’s). Ms. Donahue said that it should be noted that in five years we should be paying less. On a question from Ms. Donahue, Mr. Antoniello said that they have been preparing scientific studies of all the wells to determine withdrawal rates and to improve the yield; they are also doing corrosion control on all the wells. Ms. Donahue said that Scituate was the only South Shore town that did not support the Greenscapes program that teaches the public about water conservation. Ms. Ballinger asked that Mr. Babin be present at the January 26 Advisory Committee meeting.

Dept. 66 Waterways Enterprise Fund. Ms. Donahue said that the salaries line shows the two salaries of the Harbormaster and the Assistant Harbormaster, although Mr. Regan only charges an hourly fee. She said that the rates at the private marinas have been increased; the rates at the Town Pier are lagging behind a bit. She said that Mr. Patterson and Mr. Murray have done a good job. Mr. Murray said that the rates at the two Town marinas have been reconciled so that Town boaters are paying the same rate now. Mr. Lemieux asked about the electricity rate; Mr. Patterson said that they have not requested an increase. Line 5242 repairs and maintenance and line 5291 rubbish removal had had surpluses and so they have been reduced for 2007. Mr. Patterson explained line 5309 technical services and why FY05 expended is almost $48,000; this had to do with the purchase of the Scituate Marine Park and that amount was spread out over the rest of the line items. Ms. Donahue said that the revenues have not been tweaked, that Mr. Patterson is working on it. She said that elements of the lease agreement were not being fully realized. Mr. Patterson said that $51,432 was received in the first year of the lease, but that the amount is increasing (year to date it is $55,000 and further bills have been sent out to the lessee). Ms. Ballinger said that the Waterways Enterprise Fund (WWEF) is to go before the Capital Planning Committee and that while it did finally happen, the vehicle purchase was not included. She said that next year she expects that the budget will be fully vetted by Capital Planning before being heard by Advisory. Mr. Patterson said that the deployment and removal of the marina used to be outsourced but now they rent a machine and do the work inhouse. He said there is a request to increase seasonal salaries as well as for a part time clerk, whose 15 hours are meant to replace a full time clerk. Mr. Armstrong asked about the GIS implementation. Mr. Patterson said that the target is April. Mr. Constantinides asked why marina rates were lowered for Scituate residents; Mr. Murray explained that the rates are now equitable and how rates were raised or lowered to achieve this, and that it is revenue neutral. Mr. Patterson said that the state grant that has been awarded for Scituate Marine Park will not affect the lease area of the park. Ms. Donahue said that the Harbormaster’s job is being looked at again, as the job now includes more management than previously. Ms. Ballinger said that this budget will be held until January 26 when further budget numbers must be made available.

Capital Plan. Mr. Constantinides said that the total amount being requested is $3,959,000, and that the bottom line is similar to the past two years.
Non-Enterprise Fund projects:
Roadway Improvement Program: $343,000 (temp borrow)
Drainage: $225,000 (bond)
School Buildings – Wampatuck School restoration: $1,541,000 (bond) Also included a new bus ($66,000) and a van ($25,000)
Foreshore Protection: $300,000 (bond)
Fire Department: $235,000 (cash)
DPW Vehicles: $157,000 (bond)
Police Department: $78,000 (cash) For laptops and software to allow access to CJIS.
Total Non-Enterprise Fund: $2,879,000

Enterprise Fund projects:
Water: $80,000
Waterways: $100,000 (to replace railing at Cole Parkway)
Sewer: $900,000 (bond) This includes $400,000 for the II program and $500,000 for the development of a Wastewater Management Plan.
Total Enterprise Fund: $1,080,000

Regarding foreshore protection Mr. Constantinides said that the DPW projects the program would need an additional $1.5 million by FY12; he said that he would like to see the implementation schedule.

Mr. MacClellan said that the Selectmen had not voted on this yet as they are waiting for the Financial Forecasting Committee to advise about available funds. Ms. Minier said that a great deal more was requested than is being presented here.

There was a discussion about the amount requested for the development of the Wastewater Management Plan. Ms. Ballinger said that $500,000 seems like a large amount and that there is no backup material. Mr. MacClellan said that the plant is near capacity and that II is a problem. Ms. Donahue said there are grants available; and that 19 years of study were put in for the current wastewater treatment plant. Ms. Ballinger said that under last year’s capital plan $30,000 was allocated in Article 3 to study sewer alternatives; the Advisory Committee wants to see the scope of service before voting on this item. She said she will ask the Town Administrator for this and that Advisory would need to see this before voting.

Ms. Donahue asked about proposed expenditure for drainage; Mr. MacClellan said that the money needs to be put aside so that the improvement can be coordinated with the MBTA’s Greenbush roundabout plan. Ms. Donahue said the T would have to address any standing water problems there.

Regarding purchase of buses, Ms. Minier said there had been a request for the purchase of three, and it had been cut back to one. It is to replace a bus, not for an additional bus.

Ms. Donahue asked about the washdown facility at the DPW; Mr. MacClellan said that it is in final design stage.

Regarding seawall repairs, Mr. MacClellan said it takes more than a year to bid it out. There is typically a 50/50 state funding match, but it is not certain that this will be forthcoming.

4. TOWN MEETING ARTICLES. Ms. Ballinger said that CPC and Planning Board still have not finalized language for the warrant.
Article 1. Compensation of Certain Elected Officials. A MOTION was made by Mr. Grace to approve this article as written, the motion was SECONDED by Mr. Constantinides; in discussion Ms. Donahue asked whether these elected officials will be drawing retirement or health benefits; Ms. Ballinger said she didn’t think so but she would look into this; a vote was taken and this article was unanimously approved as written (8-0).
Article 2. Compensation of Elected Town Clerk. A MOTION was made by Mr. Grace to approve this article as written, the motion was SECONDED by Mr. Armstrong, a vote was taken and this article was unanimously approved as written (8-0).
Article 11. Stablilization Fund. A MOTION was made by Mr. Vegnani to approve this article as written, the motion was SECONDED by Ms, Donahue; in discussion Ms. Ballinger explained the way the Stabilization Fund works for the benefit of the new members of the committee; a vote was taken and this article was unanimously approved as written (8-0).
Article 12. MGL Chapter 91 Liability. On a MOTION by Mr. Armstrong , SECONDED by Mr. Grace, this article was unanimously approved as written (8-0).
Article 13. Conservation Fund. On a MOTION by Mr. Grace , SECONDED by Mr. Lemieux, this article was unanimously approved as written (8-0).
Article 14. Revolving Fund -- Council on Aging. On a MOTION by Mr. Grace, SECONDED by Mr. Constantinides, this article was unanimously approved as written (8-0).
Article 15. Revolving Fund – Planning Board. On a MOTION by Mr. Armstrong , SECONDED by Mr. Lemieux, this article was unanimously approved as written (8-0).

Ms. Donahue asked about Recreation Department fees.

5. OLD BUSINESS. There was no old business to conduct at this time.

6. NEW BUSINESS. Ms. Ballinger said that there will be three openings on the Advisory Committee next year, to replace Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Grace, both of whom will not be seeking reappointment, and Ms. Ballinger, who has said her term will end as of Town Meeting in March; Mr. Vegnani will be taking over as Chairman. She said that there will be a Special Town Meeting in the fall primarily about the fire stations.

7. A MOTION to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Constantinides, the motion was SECONDED by Mr. Vegnani, all were in favor and the meeting was ADJOURNED at 9:10 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Martin