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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 1-30-1989BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JANUARY 30, 1989 PRESENT: Chairman Harrington; Selectmen Levine, Dunn, Tartufo; Members of the Finance Committee; Town Accountant The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M.. Chairman Harrington reviewed the January 25th meeting of the Board of Selectmen concerning the budget, then turned the meeting over to the Town Manager to explain his format. Tom said he and the Town Accountant had worked out a detailed accounting code for all departments, and capital outlay was broken out. He has also included a detailed personnel count /staff levels and a revenue budget. He said he tried to present a little more streamlined budget to the Town Meeting. The existing budget only shows categories of expenditures - i.e., Personnel Services and Other Expenses. Tom said he wants extra flexibility within the accounts. He wants the ability to transfer money between accounts with Selectmen and Finance Commit- tee approval; he is presently waiting for the Bureau of Accounts approval. Chairman Pasquale of the Finance Committee said he feels Tom has done a great job of breaking down the budget and his committee likes the format. He said the Town is a $25 million business and he is being paid to runiit that way. His committee agrees with the department total by department total, but recognizes that Town Meeting will still want to see some breakdown, such as a sample Tom presented tonight. They have asked Tom for a breakdown of all new positions - salary, fringe benefits, etc., and they want a report on fee increases. Selectman Dunn said he approves the breakdown, but does not want to see money moved from one account to another; he wants it specified for each account. Chairman Harrington said he likes the capsule form, but does not want too much change at one time, then another year go for a different type of control over transfers. Selectman Levine said policies are made by the Board of Selectmen, but Tom has brought policies into the budget. If they do not "fly ", there are no options. The Reserve Fund is the only fund the Finance Committee has only say on; others they can only recommend. Tom's suggested policy is not acceptable. Discussion followed on what Tom's budget has proposed. Selectman Levine felt he should have come to the Board prior to putting it into the budget. Selectman Dunn sum- marized the discussion by saying "It appears that the Selectmen are not in sup- port of the proposed policy." Selectman Tartufo said he felt boards and committees would like to be listed separately; they are not endorsing the budget., He brought up what he had advised the Board last week about the new proposed positions. * MOTION: To adopt the policy that is before us labeled "Draft Policy Concerning Transfer of Budgeted Funds. Dunn / Tartufo Selectman Dunn said if this is voted down they would be voting against presenting department totals only. FAILED: 4 -0 DRAFT VOTE CONCERNING TRANSFER OF BUDGETED FUNDS Resolved that no transfer of funds shall occur among the functional categories of Personal Services, Other Expenses, Capital Outlay and Internal Services Expenses within a budgeted departmental account without a majority vote of both the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee, said request to be initiated by the Town Manager. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JANUARY 30, 1989 ( PAGE 2 Discussion followed concerning presentation of the budget itself in the format as presented or some other. Selectman Levine suggested a little greater detail than what is shown in Tom's sample. She said his sample seems "veiled "; she wants more detail. Both the Finance Committee and the Selectmen seemed to agree that Town Meeting must have an opportunity to discuss various line items. * MOTION: To adopt the schedule that is presented for the Warrant and make sure that the background information goes with it. Dunn /Levine Selectman Levine asked that an item remain listed with just one name. Both she and Selectman Tartufo avant to see department heads and assistant department heads broken out. Tom was asked to break down "management" with a listing under it. Discussion then turned to departments. The Finance Committee members approve of Tom's suggested "Community Development plan, lumping three department /commit- tees together (Planning, Conservation, Zoning Board). Tom suggested changing the former Planning Director title from Community Development Director to Plan- ning and Development Director which would aptly describe the duties. * MOTION: Make an amendment to break out Community Development into three: Planning, Conservation Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. Tartufo /Dunn VOTED: 2 -2 ( The decision was to bring this up again at the Selectmen's regular Wed- nesday meeting when there would be a full Board. * MOTION: To vote on the break down as proposed with the exception of the posi- tion of Community Development. Dunn /Levine VOTED: 2 -1 Levine abstained The Finance Committee then said it wants to know what positions the Board of Selectmen will support; salary position; concept of user fees; depreciation concept or capital improvement; will the Board consider review of renewal fee - it needs to consider /discuss whatever the amount - user fee vs. taxes. The Fin - Com needs answers ASAP. Chairman Harrington asked if the Board could meet next Monday to continue the budget discussion; it was agreed. Chairman Pasquale said he was encouraged to see Selectmen attending the FinCom meetings this year. The Town Manager suggested moving Town Meeting date forward a few weeks, advis- ing State figures are pretty murky right now. The Finance Committee said they will be meeting every Thursday in February, with the exception of the first Thursday. It was suggested that a School Committee member be invited to attend the Capital Improvement Committee; the Selectmen ap- proved. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JANUARY 30, 1989 PAGE 3 MINUTES APPROVED: