Provincetown Finance Committee

Public Hearing

May 13, 2004

3:00 p.m.

Members Present: Sue Buerkel, Matthew Clark, Gail Enos, Ruth Gilbert

(Chair), Mark Leach, Ann Maguire, Virginia Ross,

Thomas Thurston, and Robert Vetrick.

Members Late: Virginia Ross and Tom Thurston – both arrived around

3:30 p. m.

Also in attendance: Betty Steele-Jeffers, Town Moderator

The meeting was called to order at 3:05 p.m.

The chair announced that the first order of business would be minutes, then reorganization, and finally, goals.

Motion: Robert Vetrick made a motion to accept the February 17^th, 2004 minutes. Ann Maguire seconded the motion and it passed 7-0-0.

Motion: Robert Vetrick made a motion to accept the March 16^th, 2004 minutes; Ann Maguire seconded it and it passed 7-0-0.

Motion: Robert Vetrick made a motion to accept the March 22^nd minutes. Sue Buerkel seconded the motion and the vote was 7-0-0.

Motion: Ann Maguire made a motion to accept the March 18^th minutes. Robert Vetrick seconded the motion and it passed 7-0-0.

Motion: Matthew Clark made a motion to accept the March 30^th minutes. Robert Vetrick seconded and the motion passed 7-0-0.

Motion: Robert Vetrick made a motion to accept the minutes of the April 12, 2004, 8:00 a.m. meeting, as amended (the amendments mainly consisted of corrected misspellings); Mark Leach seconded the motion and it passed 7-0-0.

Motion: Matthew Clark made a motion to accept the minutes of the April 12^th, 5:30 p.m. meeting, as amended (once again the amendments corrected some spelling errors); Robert Vetrick seconded the motion and it passed 7-0-0

Committee Reorganization

Motion: Robert Vetrick made a motion nominating Ruth Gilbert for chair. Ann Maguire seconded and the vote was unanimous 7-0-0.

Motion: Robert Vetrick made a motion to nominate Sue Buerkel for Vice Chair; Ann Maguire seconded the nomination and it passed 7-0-0.

Motion: Matthew Clark made a motion nominating Thomas Thurston to serve as Clerk; Sue Buerkel seconded the motion and it, too, passed 7-0-0.

Other Business

There was some discussion regarding an article that appeared in the Cape Cod Times. It evidently cautioned that e-mails passed between members of committees must be for informational purposes only. No opinion should be sought – just information disseminated. The group agreed that this is what they do anyway. Ruth concluded by suggesting that the group use the format that the Town Manager uses, i.e., send a memo and then an attachment for informational purposes. All agreed.

Ruth Gilbert read a letter into the minutes sent from Alice Foley, a former member of the finance committee. It basically covered the subject of the school budget and expressed concerns about the viability of the middle and high school programs in light of the decline in enrollment and other concerns. (The letter is contained in the Finance Committee files.)

Another letter was read from Cyndi McGonagle regarding the poor conditions of the streets with many specifics. The Committee, by consensus, decided to give the letter to Sandra Turner.

Goals

Discussion then ensued on priorities and goals for the Finance Committee for the upcoming year. Topics included developing a better understanding of the school budgets, revolving accounts, free cash calculations, and quarterly performance against budget – as well as monitoring progress on benefits costs, and the Manor. Before any definitive list is made, Ruth Gilbert will ask for an appointment with Keith Bergman to seek his thoughts and will report back to the committee at its next scheduled meeting.

Next Two Scheduled Meetings

Thursday June 10^th 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday July 13^th 3:00 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Evelyn Gaudiano

Evelyn Rogers Gaudiano

Approved by ____________________________on ______________, 2004

Ruth Gilbert