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Board of Selectmen, Joint Meeting with Advisory Committee, March 29, 2010
MINUTES OF MEETING

BOARD OF SELECTMEN & ADVISORY COMMITTEE JOINT MEETING

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2010

Present / Board of Selectmen: Joseph P. Norton, Chairman; John F. Danehey, Shawn Harris,
Richard W. Murray, Anthony V. Vegnani

Present/ Advisory Committee: Robert DeLorenzo, Chairman; Scott Roberts, Karen Connolly,
Lisa Fenton, Vice Chair; Maura Curran, Anthony Antoniello and Mark Sandham

Patricia A. Vinchesi, Town Administrator

Press: Scituate Mariner

1. Mr. Norton called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM.

2. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA

Mr. Harris made a MOTION that the Board of Selectmen VOTE to ACCEPT the Agenda for March 29, 2010. SECONDED by Mr. Danehey. No discussion. Unanimous vote. (5-0)

3. DISCUSSION/ VOTE/ FY2011 BUDGETS & ARTICLES

Mr. Norton welcomed the Advisory Committee and Ms. Mary Gallagher, Town Accountant, to tonight’s meeting. He explained that this “joint meeting” is a requirement of the Town Charter. Mr. Vegnani gave a summary of the Financial Forecast that would soon be completed by the Town Accountant and will detail the “roll out” for the next four years. Discussion on State Aid percentages being possibly reduced from 10% to 4% and the Town estimating State Aid at a conservative 6%. Ms. Vinchesi stated that the Plymouth County Health Insurance group recently met and it appears there will be a 10+% increase in health insurance next year. Co-payments will most likely be increased in January 2011 for individuals whose contracts have not yet been settled. At this time, the Town is facing a $297,000 health insurance deficit. Ms. Vinchesi noted that the Town side of the budget was out of balance by $11,000, which was rectified by taking those funds out of the Department of Public Works budget. Mr. Vegnani believes that financially next year will be bad, but hopefully for the five years following, everything will return to a “good level”.

Mr. Norton asked for questions from the Board of Selectmen and the Advisory Committee. He also noted that the numbers being discussed this evening do not take into account any employee pay increases. Mr. Murray asked how the Financial Forecast Committee took into account “new growth”? Mr. Vegnani stated that they got “new growth” information from the Director of Assessing. New growth decreased from the previous year. State Aid and Local Aid trends were discussed. Mr. DeLorenzo, Chairman of the Advisory Committee, thanked the Town Administrator and the Department Heads for the “quality and depth” of information contained in the budget submittals. “The whole process worked very well.” Mr. Norton stated that the Board of Selectmen “echoes” Mr. DeLorenzo’s sentiments. Mr. Vegnani thanked the Advisory Committee for their excellent job on the Advisory Committee booklet.

Mr. Norton recused himself from this discussion and vote because his employer, Rockland Trust Company, does business with the South Shore Regional Technical High School.

Article 20 – So. Shore Regional Technical High School Repair of Roof & Window Systems

Mr. Charles Homer, Superintendent of the South Shore Regional Technical High School (SSRTHS), Mr. Tom Hickey, Principle of the SSRTHS, and Mr. Jack Manning, Scituate’s representative for the SSRTHS, were present at tonight’s meeting. Mr. Homer explained that the scope of this project includes a new roof (and structural pieces), heating system and new windows. The School was built in 1959 and has never had a new roof. They have been working with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) and approximately 52.6% of the total $3.3 million project cost will be reimbursed by the State. The eight communities involved with the SSRTHS must approve this project. If one community does not support the project, it does not go forward. Mr. Harris asked if the SSRTHS had received an estimate from engineers as to the energy cost savings realized from such a project? Mr. Homer answered that Bay State Gas estimates a $400,000 savings over SSRTHS current utility bill and the school will possibly be eligible for a $50,000 grant towards the project, as well. The debt will be $2.5 million over a ten-year period. Scituate’s contribution will be approximately $14,000 for each of those ten years. Mr. Vegnani noted that the savings would just about cover the debt.

Mr. Vegnani stated that the Town of Scituate has a “non-existent” capital plan and its budget keeps going down each year. He noted that the SSRTHS budget goes up every year. Mr. Manning noted that Scituate’s assessment went up for FY2011 due to an increase in Scituate students at the School. Mr. Vegnani stated that the Town’s budget “cannot go up. We are laying off teachers – this is kind of a disconnect.” Mr. Homer stated that of the eight towns, four assessments went up and four assessments went down. The assessments are determined by student enrollment according to the State formula. Mr. Murray complimented the SSRTHS students for their recent work on the Scituate Maritime Center. He explained that the Selectmen are “practicing due diligence with the finances”. Mr. Murray asked what they anticipate for the School’s five-year budget plan? Mr. Homer explained the importance of School Committee representatives from each of the eight towns obtaining input from their respective towns on issues such as this. The SSRTHS budget is a “bare bones, level funded budget with 0% increases for staff. It purely driven by assessments.” .

Mr. Danehey thanked the gentlemen for their presentation this evening. He wants to make certain that the MSBA reimburses this project. Scituate ultimately benefits from the project and he (Danehey) sees this as a separate issue from the School’s operating budget. “It is hard to say ‘no’ to a 52% reimbursement from the State.” Mr. Harris asked about enrollment costs for students who are from outside of the district? Mr. Homer stated that it is a flat fee and when out of district students attend the school, it helps to keep the assessments down. Mr. Vegnani stated that next year it would be helpful to the Selectmen to see the SSRTHS total budget in advance of the budget review. What is the total cost per student for Scituate? Mr. Homer answered that it is $12,400. “Every town is different. Your assessment is based on your town’s ability to pay, property values and income level.”

Mr. Danehey made a MOTION that the Board of Selectmen VOTE to SUPPORT
Article 20 – South Shore Regional Technical High School Repair of Roof and Window Systems. SECONDED by Mr. Harris. Discussion – Ms. Lisa Fenton, Vice Chairman/

Advisory Committee, believes it is a good idea for the entire Town to be able to vote on this Article. Mr. Murray agreed. No further discussion. Unanimous vote. (4-0)
Murray, Danehey, Harris and Vegnani voted in favor of the motion. Mr. Norton did not vote.