Town of Otis
Finance Board/Selectboard Dept. Budget Review Meeting
April 16, 2011
Present: Donna Thomas, Andy Pyenson, Joy Brown, Gary Thomas, Irene Rowley, Chris Morris, Nancy Levin, Howard Levin, Tom Ragusa, Anita Weinstein, Barry Weinstein, Sandy Pinkham, Don LaBombard, Gail Palmer, Larry Gould, Terry Gould
Meeting called to order at 9:00 am.
Purpose: Review several department Budget proposals for Fiscal Year 2012 that are still under discussion
Assessors: Revised budget reflects a reduction from 32 hours to 24 hours with Elaine’s rate. The new hire is expected to make less per hour than what Elaine currently makes. Chris presented the revised budget with the new figure for the Clerk that he discussed with the Assessors chairman – Approved as presented.
Group Insurance: State plan will not allow town to opt in not until October, so the town will have more time to look into it. The value plan will be presented as an option to the employees for July 1st. Budget assumes status quo for next year – Approved as presented.
Heating/Furnace: Maintenance has been reduced ($2200 less) now that we have new gas furnaces – Approved with presented adjustments.
Historical Commission: Conference line item was for learning how to list buildings on the State Historical Register. Per Tom, this is open-ended and is just a number – Approved as presented.
School: Don Hawley proposed reduction of this budget at the April 2 joint meeting by moving some of the expenditures as capital expense items, and he met subsequently with Sandisfield Board of Selectmen. Sandisfield did not feel this was worth pursuing as their budget deficit is much larger than Otis’ (Otis would get two thirds of any tax savings). Sandisfield will have to put out an override and it probably will not pass. Chris thought moving some capital expenditures out of the operating budget was a good idea and is still worth pursuing this year, as well as in the future, in the event the override does not pass. The school budget used to be 47% of the town’s budget and is now up to 52%. Regarding Otis doing the plowing for the school, Andy is
still hopeful we can come to some kind agreement with the school next year. Anita pointed out that the school already has a plowing contract for next year. Pass over – we still need to discuss this with the school.
Community Celebrations: This would be a Community Day and more than the Taste of Otis. The committee expects to set up their game plan at their meeting on April 21st. Joy asked if this could be a new line item for the Celebrations budget. Donna suggested seed money of around $200 to $300. Joy then suggested we bring Celebrations up to an even $4000 from the approved $3000, and designate it for the new committee. If it is set up as a special warrant article, then the money not spent should still be available for future use. Andy suggested we issue $1000 as a separate line item under the Celebrations account, and any unused money will be returned to the General Fund. Celebrations account unanimously approved with
changes.
The Fire Department came to the Select Board meeting last Tuesday looking for money for new gear. The current gear is about ten years old, and gear technically shouldn’t be used after ten years. The department received an estimate of approximately $1600 - $2200 per firefighter. There is currently $6200 budgeted for equipment for FY2012. The itemized estimate is the estimate preferred by the fire department. Andy requested that Sandy come back with a calculated total as soon as possible so this can be put on the warrant as a capitalized expense or a transfer. Andy would prefer to have the total for the next Select Board meeting. Andy also stated that the emergency truck won’t be voted on this year, but they should still compile a list of what they want and get prices so
this can be addressed in the future.
Joy asked what the deadline was for getting warrant articles pulled together. Chris Morris determined that May 3rd at the latest would be good to get the warrant posted by May 10th. Joy suggested we aim for the end of April. Chris presented a list of articles that may go on the town warrant, but not all are expected to be completed in time. Chris will try to have all warrant articles completed for the next Select Board meeting, but he may not have all figures in by then. Joy suggested maybe the two boards get back together for April 30th to review all articles and their wording so Russ can post the warrant in a timely manner.
Gail Palmer asked if Otis had a rescue boat and was informed that we got one about four years ago. It is kept in the East Otis firehouse.
Chris Morris stated the overall deficit was $80,920.40 with all adjustments made with today’s decisions.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:52 am.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa D’Orazio
Selectmen’s Secretary
Town of Otis
List of Documents
Revised drafts of the department budgets to be discussed were provided to all voting members of the Select Board and Finance Board.
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