HomeMy WebLinkAboutFin Comm 03/12/1979FINANCE COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING
March 12, 1979
Members present: Ms. Cheney and Messrs. Benson, Flannery
and Houghton.
The purpose of the meeting was to attend the Public. Hearing;,
on the School Committee Budget which commenced at 7:30 PM in
the High School Library. This Committee made a presentation
at the Public Hearing (see charts appended to these minutes),,
concerning the status of our budgetary review process.We
placed the burden on the School Committee to cut $325,000
from their budget to enable the Town to live within the pro-
posed expenditure cap.
Chairperson Cheney explained to the audience that, if the
School Committee's requested increase of ,470,00 was not
reduced, other Town Departments would probably request their
proposed budget increases and she quoted a resulting tax rate
estimate of $$113.00.
The Public Hearing ended at 8:30 PM at which time this Committee
met with the School Committee and presented certain proposed
y, budget reductions aggregating $280,000. Such recommendations
are enumerated in the Minutes of our March 11th meeting.
The School Committee's posture appears to be that their recom-
mended budget represents the necessary level of service.
Passage of the proposed expenditure cap legislation would be
the only factor which would influence their decision.
The School Committee meeting ended at 9:15 PM and this Committee
adjourned to Town Hall to discuss the following matters:
Moved by Ms. Cheney; Seconded by Mr. Flannery and Approved 4-0 -
that the salary recommendation for the Town Clerk be increased
from $13,700 to the original proposed salary of $$14,000.
The Committee reviewed a draft copy of "Analysis of Municipal
Operating Budget" to be included in the Committee's Annual
Report - Moved by Ms. Cheney; Seconded by Mr. Flannery and
Approved 4-0.- to approve the above-named Analysis.
Mr. Flanneiy motioned to adjourn - Seconded by Ms. Cheney and
Approved 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 11:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Joseph F. Houghton, Jr. Secretary
FINANCE COMMITTEE
MINUTEB OF MEETING
s
March 19, 1979
Members Present: Ms. Cheney, Messrs. Benson, Cooney, Flannery,
Houghton and Powers.
Mr. Benson called the meeting to order at 10:15 PM.
We discussed the School Committee Budget in general terms
and identified maintenance, Junior High sports, transporta-
tion, project Spoke, etc. as particular areas of emphasis in
our review.
Members of the Finance Committee had met previously with repre-
sentatives of Peat, Marwick and Co. and discussed the apparent
error in computing the tax levy for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1979. The auditors gave tentative concurrence that
an error had, in fact, occurred.
We agreed to send a letter to the Town Manager with copies
to Selectmen and Town Clerk.
Such letter will request that Town Officials investigate the
error, review it with the State Bureau of Accounts, and provide
this Committee with the results within one week. Mr. Powers
volunteered to write the letter, a copy of which is appended
to these minutes. Mr. Powers moved to adjourn; Seconded by
Mr. Cooney; Approved 6-0.
Meeting adjourned at 11:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Joseph F. Houghton, Jr. (/
Secretary
FINANCE COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING
J
- April 16, 1979
Members Present: Ms. Cheney, Messrs. Benson, Powers, and
Houghton.
Mr. Benson called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.
Mr. Powers moved for reconsideration of Special Town Meeting
Article #6; Seconded by Ms. Cheney; Approved 4-0. Our concern
is that the Article may remove the Water/Sewer Department from
Town Meeting control as is the present situation with the
Electric Department.
Mr. Benson brought forth the following requests for transfer:
Account 162-5 Consultants Services - Board of Health $850
and $550. Ms. Cheney moved, Seconded by Mr. Houghton;
Approved 4-0. We will contact the Board of Health with
the understanding that we will not honor future requests
if the Town Engineer does not perform such services.
Account 751-0 Airport Maintenance Expenses $2,212.7.7.
Ms. Cheney Moved; Seconded by ,.r. Houghton; Approved 4-0.
We received a letter from the Board of Selectmen requesting a
meeting with the Finance Committee on Sunday April 22, 1979
at 10: 00 AM.
We discussed the applications for appointment to the Finance
Committee. Mr. Powers Moved; Seconded by Ms. Cheney that
David Clemmey be recommended to fill the unexpired term of
Matthew Williams. Approved 4-0.
We then discussed the proposed 4/ budget cap.
Mr. Powers Moved; Seconded by Mr. Houghton to adjourn; Approved
4-0. Meeting adjourned at 10:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Joseph F. Houghton, Jr.
Secretary