Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting, Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Judge Welsh Hearing Room, Town Hall, Provincetown, MA 02657
Present: Chair Sue Buerkel, Tom Thurston, Rick Holland, Gail Enos and Ruth Gilbert
Meeting was called to order at 4:07PM
Also present: Town Manager, Keith Bergman
Minutes of March 18, 2003 meeting were not available for review.
Continued Review of Special and Annual Town Meeting Articles
ATM-7 Home Rule Petition/Charter Amendment/Preparation of the Town Meeting Warrant (Richard Olsen)
This article would push Town Meeting to 2nd Monday of April while keeping other current deadlines the same. It is being proposed so as to give voters more time to review warrant, which would be mailed to voters prior to Town Meeting at an estimated cost of $5500 for postage. This would eliminate the need for the Town Meeting Times and allow town staff to write about articles in plain English instead of legalese as is currently in Town Meeting Times. Question as to whether it could be published in The Banner rather than mailed to voters. Ruth Gilbert questioned the timing and whether it would conflict with restaurant openings and school vacations. Tom Thurston thought that more voters might be in town since it was later in the season. Rick Holland thinks that the spirit behind the article is a good idea.
Motion to accept the article as written. Rick Holland moved, Gail Enos seconded and it passed. 4:0:1. (Rick)
STM-16 Accept MGL C.59, 2A9(a) to Add New Growth Properties to Tax Base Six Months Earlier (Dana Faris, Principal Assessor)
Motion to accept as written. Tom Thurston moved, Rick Holland seconded and it passed unanimously. 5:0:0. (Sue)
STM-17 Accept MGL C.59, 5, clause 41C for Adjustments to Eligibility Requirements (Dana Faris, Principal Assessor)
Dana Faris recommends separating each eligibility requirement as he thinks only income limits should be adjusted. It was suggested that this article be tabled until next year when it would be written as four separate articles.
Motion to reserve recommendation. Ruth Gilbert moved, Gail Enos seconded and it passed unanimously. 5:0:0;
STM-1 Low Interest Loans for Repair, Replacement and Upgrade of Septic Systems and Sewer Connections - $200,000
Motion to accept as written. Rick Holland moved, Tom Thurston seconded and it passed unanimously. 5:0:0. (Rick)
ATM-5 FY 2004 Revolving Accounts - $20,000; $2,500; $10,000
Motion to accept as written. Tom Thurston moved, Rick Holland seconded and it passed unanimously. 5:0:0. (Tom)
ATM-6 Personnel By-law Amendments/Classifications & Compensation Plan
A. $57,800; C. $29,601
Motion to accept as written. Ruth Gilbert moved, Rick Holland seconded and it passed unanimously. 5:0:0. (Ruth)
ATM-8 General By-law Amendment, 4 1 1 – Town Meeting Start Time
Motion to accept as written. Rick Holland moved, Tom Thurston seconded and it passed unanimously. 5:0:0. (Rick)
ATM-16 Rescind Designation of Clothing Optional Beach at Spaghetti Strip
Issue here is to control legal costs which so far are $10,000. Town Meeting voted on this without understanding the financial implications of lawsuits against it.
Motion to accept as written. Ruth Gilbert moved, Rick Holland seconded and it passed unanimously. 5:0:0. (Ruth)
ATM-19 Authorize 10-20 Year Leases for Wireless Telecommunications Facilities at Water Tanks and Wastewater Treatment Plant Site.
ATM-20 Easements for Electrical Service to Mt. Gilboa Water Tank
This is a proactive move to put revenue generating towers on town property and avoid further legal costs.
Motion to accept both articles as written. Tom Thurston moved, Ruth Gilbert seconded and it passed unanimously. 5:0:0. (Tom)
ATM-30 Expenditures from the Tourism Fund - $180,000
Motion to accept as written. Ruth Gilbert moved, Rick Holland seconded and it passed unanimously. 5:0:0. (Ruth)
ATM-31 Apply Shuttle Funds to Reduce FY2004 Tax Rate-reduced by $50,250
Motion to accept as written. Ruth Gilbert moved, Tom Thurston seconded and it passed unanimously. 5:0:0. (Sue)
ATM-33 Use of Parking Fund to Reduce FY2004 Tax Levy-reduced by $1,200,000
Motion to accept as written. Ruth Gilbert moved, Rick Holland seconded and it passed unanimously. 5:0:0. (Sue)
Next meeting Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at 4PM
Motion to adjourn. Gail Enos moved, Rick Holland seconded and it passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 5:55PM
Respectfully submitted,
Phyllis Lutsky
Recording Secretary