Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Comm 01/26/1999Minutes of January 26, 1999 FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING lo Present: James Noris, Chairman Joseph Cutillo, Jr. Dennis Grady David McCarter, Selectman Betty Amicone, DPW Office Mngr. David Fields, Engineering Dept. Steve Bishop, Acting Water Mngr. GENERAL DISCUSSION EngineerinE Budget Gerald St. Hilaire Frank DelVecchio John D'Agostino, Town Manager Beatrice Kearney, Town Accountant Lee Azinheira, Town Engineer Kenneth Hackett, WPCF Mngr. Mr. D'Agostino presented the DPW Reorganization and outlined the changes from the current structure. He outlined the salary changes that would effect the FY2000 budgets. Mr. St. Hilaire inquired if Mr. D'Agostino had any concerns regarding the proposal of paying overtime to the Highway and Public Buildings/Special Projects Managers. Mr. St. Hilaire stated that it might cause some problems due to the fact that now department heads are currently being paid overtime. Mr. D'Agostino stated that the other department heads are being compensated for their overtime with compensatory time which �s calculated at time and one-half. Mr. Grady inquired about the Administrative Secretary salary range. He stated that he understood why the person would be paid the salary proposed, but perhaps it would be more prudent to have them in a different range because they would already have to be reclassified next year. Mr. D'Agostino stated that the salary was due to contractual constraints and that the contracts are due toberenegotiated at the end of FT2000. Mr. Cutffio inquired about the various job descriptions and if these positions would be filled from within, or if they will be advertised outside of the Town Hall. Mr. D'Agostino stated that a couple of the positions might be filled by existing personnel; however the DPW Director and Water Operations Manager positions will definitely be advertised. Mr. Noris inquired if the reorganization was already in the works due to the fact that the BOS had approved it at last Wednesday's meeting. Mr. D'Agostino stated that the reorganization process has begun. Mr. Noris stated that with the reorganization as proposed, an additional $63,000 would need to be funded. Mr. D'Agostino stated that the budget may be lower depending on the candidates qualifications. FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING Mr. Noris inquired if the overtime would be reduced due to the hiring of the new Highway and Public Buildings Managers. John stated that there might be some overtime cuts. Mr. D'Agostino stated that the deficit could be reduced by applying. $200,.000 that was released to the overlay account last week by the Board of Assessors to Capital Improvements. Mr. St. Hilaire stated that by using the $200,000 from the overlay now, it would reduce the free cash next year, therefore causing a shortfall in funding for next years Capital Improvements. Mr. DelVecchio inquired about the figures for the overlay account he had requested from the Assessors -Office. Mr. D'Agostino stated that he thought Ms: MacPhee had provided those figures. Mr. Noris had them with the mail and they were handed out. Engineering Budget Mr. Azinheira present the Engineering.Department's budget. Mr. Azinheira stated that he had moved $1700 from account #5381 to #5581 due to the fact that he was informed that he had been using the wrong account to buy equipment_ He stated that in the current year he had used this -funding to purchase a computer and some software. Mr. Grady inquired why he needed the additional money if he had already purchased the computer and software. Mr. Azinheira stated that he would like to buy some additional software and upgrade some of the software he is currently using for drainage and sewers. Mr. Noris requested that Mr. Azinheira explain.why he feels a full time secretary is needed for his office. He stated that the narrative said it was due to the Engineering Department not being near the DPW Office staff anymore. Mr. Azinheira stated that the explaination had not been changed from the previous year. He stated that a.full time secretary was needed due to the amount of work the office is currently generating with the ongoing projects. He stated that the secretary is working basically full time now and being funded partially through Capital funds. He stated that many additional duties have been added to the Engineering Department, such as researching the Foxboro Sewer billing and meters and assisting in the new Compost Facility Building. He stated that he and Ken Hackett had gone over the cost estimates for the job and found ways to save the Town a lot of money. Mr. Noris inquired if a full time secretary were funded would line item #5301 be reduced. Mr. Azinheira stated that the line item would not be reduced because there will always be a need for outside engineering services for technical assistance in order to free up time for other projects.. Mr. DelVecchio inquired about the reorganization chart shows 2 employees and the budget shows 3. Mr. Azinheira stated that the reorganization chart has the Town Engineer with another engineering working under him. Mr. Noris thanked Mr. Azinheira for his presentation. FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING Wastewater Budget Mr. Hackett present the Wastewater Departments budget. He highlighted the changes that were made from the current years budget. Mr. Hackett explained that the scheduled overtime was required and that 2 people were necessary for safety reasons. Mr. St. Hilaire inquired if any revenue was -being generated from the sale of compost. Mr. Hackett stated a minimal amount of revenue was being generated. Mr. St. Hilaire inquired on the time frame for the construction of the. new compost building. Mr. Hackett stated that it would be finished by the end of the year. Mr. Hackett stated that the narrative for account 5850 was not correct, it had not been updated from the previous year. He stated that the amount requested was the same and it would be to replace 5 dissolved oxygen sensors, raw and final samplers and purchase 2 portable flow meters for the I/I program. Mr. Noris thanked Mr. Hackett for his presentation. Water Budget Mr. Bishop present the Water Department_ budget. He highlighted. the changes from the present budget. Mr. Noris inquired if there was funding in the budget for well cleaning. Ms. Gauthier stated that there was funding for 1 well to be cleaned - in account #5241. Mr. Bishop explained the large increase to line item 5314 was due to DEP mandated wetlands monitoring. Ms. Gauthier stated that the documentation from DEP stating that this would be an annual requirement was not received until after the current years budget had been sent. She stated that she had the documentation with her. Mr. Cutillo inquired if the SCADA lines were leased lines. Mr. Bishop stated they were. Mr. Noris inquired about the reduction to line item 5850. Mr. Bishop explained that the hydrant extension program had been completed and would not have to funded for the coming year. Mr. Noris requested that Mr. D'Agostino have Mr. Boucher attend an upcoming meeting to explain the debt issues. Mr. Noris thanked Mr. Bishop for his presentation. Mr. D'Agostino stated that Ms. Kearney wouldexplain how the funding for the 53rd week would work. Ms. Kearney stated that she was handling the 53`d week according to DOR. DOR suggests accounting for the 53`d week as it is accrued and therefore creating a liability before it falls to free cash. Mr. Noris stated that there was a request for a reserve fund transfer from the Police Department in the amount of $10,000 for a matching.grant. He stated that the current balance in the reserve fund account is $224,000. FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MOTION: To transfer $10,000 from the. Reserve Fund to Violence. Against Women Grant. All in favor. PASSES. 11,:90 P.M. Signature Next meeting will be Thursday, January 28,. 1999,.7 p.m. jyj q Da of Jypproval --