Printer Friendly Layout

News/Events - Meeting Minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT: Lisa Fenton, Vice-Chair, Constantine Constantinides, Scott Roberts, Anthony Antoniello, Maura Curran, Tony Villani, Bob DeLorenzo

ALSO PRESENT: Rick Agnew, Town Administrator

1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Ms. Fenton called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. at Scituate Town Library.

2. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
On a MOTION by Mr. Constantinides, SECONDED by Mr. Roberts, the agenda was approved by unanimous vote (7-0).

3. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
On a MOTION by Mr. Roberts, SECONDED by Ms. Curran the minutes from 12.15.08 were approved as written by unanimous vote (7-0).

4. REVIEW BUDGETS
Budget 691 – Historical Buildings

• Ms. Fenton provided detail on the Historical Society budget. Ms. Betty Miessner, Chair and Mr. Dave Ball represented the department.

• Budget for 2010 is $6,000 and is for the alarm systems and heat for the six Town owned buildings.

• Accomplishments include readying the Marine Park buildings for the sailing classes and completing repair work at the other properties.

• In the even of a 10% cut the only option to reduce costs would be to reduce the heat and alarm systems.

• Approximately $17K is available from the MBTA Historical Fund to cover unforeseen problems.

• Mr. Constantinides wanted to know if there was ongoing communication between this department and the Historical commission and was told that they meet twice yearly and Betty Miessner, Chair is also a member of the Historical Commission.

• Mr. Constantinides asked if there were supplemental resources? Private donations? These six buildings are Town owned. There are six other properties owned by the Society, which receive supplemental funding.

• Mr. Ball praised the working relationship with the recreation commission… to get boatyard ready. Excellent overall working relationship with the Town.

• The Town Report will be dedicated to Paul Miles.

On a MOTION by Mr. Constantinides, SECONDED by Mr. Roberts Budget-691 for $6,000 was approved by unanimous vote (7-0).

Budget-510 Board of Health

• Mr. DeLorenzo provided detail on the Board of Health budget. Ms. Jennifer Sullivan represented the department.

• Expenses were $184,999 and a 2.4% increase from last year. Increase in salaries of 2.8% accounts for increase in total budget.

• Losing massage establishment overtaken by the state.

• Mr. DeLorenzo pointed out a drop in technical services. Driven by change in food inspection fees as that process is now managed as a revolving account.

• 2009 accomplishments include the mutual aid agreement… in emergency or epidemic work together with 27 surrounding towns within MA’s Northeast Region

• Ms. Sullivan will work toward getting expenses to 2008 level to save money.

• The Selectmen voted in favor of computer software that the department is anticipating.

• $8,325 is maintenance of technical services.

• Mr. Constantinides wanted the 1% contribution in the Personal Services line explained and Mr. Agnew told him it was the 401 contribution.

• Ms. Curran asked about the specifics of the office supplies since there was a jump. Ms. Sullivan explained they anticipated buying computer.

On a MOTION by Mr. Roberts, SECONDED by Mr. DeLorenzo, Budget-510 for $184,999 was approved by unanimous vote (7-0).

Budget0-541 Council on Aging

• Mr. DeLorenzo provided detail on the Council on Aging budget. Ms. Florence Choate represented the department.

• $234,644 budget representing a 6% increase. Primarily driven by contractual and union salary increases that require 8% increase.

• Purchase of services is primarily maintenance repair of the existing building

• Window replacements account for quite a bit of the $11,000 appropriated in 2009

• Electricity and heat going up so the budget must allot for that.

• Old vans constantly in need of repair

• $5K from repair of property added $1K to electricity and $1K to natural gas in budget

• Added $700 for vehicle services. 23% increase in use of vans from last year.

• Pick up seniors and transport from Scituate to Plymouth and Braintree for medical appointments.

• Link gets fee of $5 for rides

• Council on Aging is 65% social services today.

• The 2,600 newsletters to Scituate residents are responsible for much of the postage.

• $11,000 for repair and maintenance… $5,100 has been spent to date this year

• $25,000 of State funds provides for part-time social worker and part-time van driver

• They receive a grant for isolated elders

• Ms. Choate praised her staff.

On a MOTION by Mr. Roberts, SECONDED by Mr. Constantinides, Budget-541 for $234,644 was approved by unanimous vote (7-0).

Budget-433 Transfer Station

• Mr. DeLorenzo provided detail on the Transfer Station budget. Mr. Al Bangert represented the department.

• $65,000 surplus is forecasted given the Fiscal 2010 revenue projections against the expense forecast.

• Reduction in the Personal Services Expense line in head count is coming down by (1) full-time laborer.

• There was a reduction in expenses of approximately $16K due to the handling of yard waste by the Green Connection. Transfer station is one of better in the State.

• $600 blue bags sales predicted in 2010 due to the recent price increase.

• The bulky waste rate for “take it or leave it” items will cover the operation costs.

• The bottom dropped out of recycle market however they still encourage recycling to save on shipping to other places

• Mr. Agnew identified the difference between the department budget and administration. Composed of $5K in method of calculating salary increase and the reduction of $10K in yard waste expense as the contract with the Green Connection was just approved.

• Mr. Antoniello asked about contracts for hauling bulky waste to learn if the contract was bid every year. Mr. Bangert responded that it was not bid or required to be bid every year. However, there is a new contractor for this year. Northeast Recycle agreed to haul bulky waste at a potential $28K savings.

• Mr. Villani inquired about change in employees. Mr. Agnew and Mr. Bangert explained the changes in DPW structure accounted for the reduction in headcount.

• There will not be a cost benefit analysis of “take it or leave it”. It will be kept as a community service and recycling effort.

On a MOTION by Ms. Curran, SECONDED by Mr. DeLorenzo, Budget-433 for $1,238,483 was approved by unanimous vote (7-0).

5. OLD BUSINESS – none.

6. NEW BUSINESS

• Ms. Fenton wanted direction on where the Committee should be documenting indirect costs. Ms. Gallagher and Mr. Roberts will meet to discuss.

• Mr. Agnew and Mr. Tony Vegnani are working on the revenue projection sheet and the latest numbers have been sent to the Committee.

• The Committee reviewed it briefly.

• Logistics for approving budgets were discussed. The Board of Selectmen will vote the budgets. Advisory will adjust as they go along.

• Reviewed Schedule Changes

1/15/09
o 630 Recreation

Enterprise Funds
o 65 Water
o 66 Waterways
o 61 Golf Course
o 64 Sewer

1/22/09 Public Safety
o 241 Inspections
o 295 Shellfish
o 310 Library
o 543 Veterans

Public Works
o 400 DPW
o 423 Snow and Ice
o 424 Street Lights

On a MOTION by Mr. Constantinides and SECONDED by Mr. Roberts the meeting was adjourned at 9:09 p.m. (7-0).

Respectfully submitted by Heather Dwyer