MEMBERS PRESENT: Tony Vegnani, Chairman; Constantine Constantinides, Scott Roberts, Lisa Fenton, Tony Villani, Dick Cook, Karen Connelly, Bob DeLorenzo, Paul Lemieux ALSO PRESENT: Rick Agnew, Town Administrator, John Bowman, Chairman of the CPC

1. CALL TO ORDER. Chairman Tony Vegnani called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. at the Scituate Town Library.

2. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA. On a MOTION by Mr. Vegnani, SECONDED by Mr. Constantinides, the agenda was accepted as written by unanimous vote (9-0).

3. REVIEWED BUDGETS.
Budget-122 Board of Selectman. Particular attention was paid to changes in the budget based on the addition of a part-time administrative position to handle workload. A current part-time employee fills position and benefit costs remain unchanged. Focused on postage costs. Mr. Agnew told of recent effort on the part of all departments to account for postage. Discussion of the legal line items including the increase of $15K for specifically needed for ZBA projects and discussion of outstanding litigation matters (Pier 44 and Proving Grounds) On a MOTION by Mr. Vegnani FY09 budget for $247,061 was accepted by unanimous vote (9-0).

Budget-123 Town Administrator. In response to a question directed by Mr. Constantinides, Mr. Agnew provided justification for an increase in his salary based on comparisons to surrounding towns’ town administrator salaries. MNA Conference fee was scrutinized. Discussed labor counsel budget and decreased from prior years that had major issues. Discussed $20k in Salary adjustments which encompasses future pay increases for non union employees and part-time. On a MOTION by Mr. Vegnani SECONDED by Mr. DeLorenzo FY09 budget for $228,738 was accepted by vote (8-0-1).

Budget 141- Board of Assessors. Steve Jarzembowski gave a synopsis of the Board of Assessors responsibilities. Mr. Vegnani raised the question of why there were no pay increases in the budget. It was explained that the union has not yet done collective bargaining for union employees. Mr. Villani asked about IT procedures and in particular wondered if individual departments do contracts with vendors. Mr. Agnew explained that Scituate is part of a South Shore Consortium. New software in the budget was discussed as well as Technical Services $8500 for software maintenance. On a MOTION by Mr. Roberts SECONDED by Mr. DeLorenzo FY09 budget for $178,082 was accepted by unanimous vote (9-0).

Budget 171- Conservation. Mr. DeLorenzo pointed out that the technical services number jumped out at him. Considerable time was spent discussing the IT needs of this area. The GIS system software and IT support were outlined. A conversation ensued on the overall need to build a budget for technology for the Town and that a highly trained IT staff person was needed. Discussed $5k article for Conservation and balance of the Driftway fund ($55K) and the Conservation fund ($28). On a MOTION by Mr. Roberts SECONDED by Mr. Cook FY09 budget for $118,729 was accepted by unanimous vote (9-0).

Budget 149- Town Administration. Discussion centered on treasurer software costs for repair and maintenance and the copy machine. Discussed salaries which are for part time secretaries of smaller boards, repair and maintenance for collections software $35K for accounting, opinion and phone. Asked about expected telephone saving and told it has been spent to buy needed equipment. On a MOTION by Mr. Roberts SECONDED by Mr. DeLorenzo FY09 budget for $106,049 was accepted by vote (8-0-1).

Budget 135- Town Accountant. The software and IT support package in this budget was analyzed. There is some possibility that the $3000 budgeted for HR software will not need to be spent. On a MOTION by Mr. Cook SECONDED by Mr. Villani FY09 budget for $170,709 was accepted by unanimous vote (9-0).

4. CPC Chairman John Bowman attended the Advisory Committee meeting to give feedback, answer questions and learn more specifically how to work with the Advisory Committee toward a common end. Ms. Fenton provided Mr. Bowman an historical perspective on the workings of the CPC and the Advisory Committee and gave some suggestions on ways they could work together better. Mr. Bowman said that moving forward there would be quarterly reports instituted and a member assigned to each project to closely monitor progress. Mr. Vegnani requested that the CPC share financial spreadsheets with the Advisory Committee and Mr. Bowman agreed. Mr. Bowman said that attention would be given to ascertaining if funds were spent on what they were supposed to be. He also talked about affordable housing (one of the mandates of the CPC). Ms. Fenton asked if it would be on mission to appropriate CPC funds toward educating the public on this matter. Mr. Bowman said yes it would.

5. OLD BUSINESS. None.

6. NEW BUSINESS. Mr. Vegnani crafted the schedule for the December 6th meeting in terms of budgets to be tackled. Mr. Vegnani asked if anyone had further comments to the financial projection spreadsheet. The committee agreed that technical services should be its own line item and noted on the cover letter to go with spreadsheet.

7. On a MOTION by Ms. Fenton, SECONDED by Mr. Constantinides, the Minutes of the Meetings of November 15, 2007, were unanimously approved (9-0).

8. ADJOURNMENT. On a MOTION by Mr. Vegnani, SECONDED by Mr. Cook, the meeting was adjourned at 9:31 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Heather Dwyer.