Finance Committee Meeting

February 15, 2005

Judge Welsh Hearing Room, Town Hall, Provincetown, MA 02657

Members Present: Ruth Gilbert, Chair, Sue Buerkel, Mark Leach, Walt Winnowski, Matthew Clark, Ed Gage, Tom Thurston, Ginny Ross and Gary Delius

Members Excused: Gail Enos and Robert Vetrick

Also Present: Keith Bergman, Town Manager

Meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m.

Approval of Minutes

Mark Leach made a motion to approve minutes as amended from February 9, 2005. Tom Thurston seconded and it passed 7:0:1.

Gary Delius arrived at 3:25 p.m.

FY 2006 Budget Review Hearings con’t.

Division III-Public Safety Budget

231-Ambulance Service (Steven Roderick, James Meads and Paul Silva)

31% increase

Provincetown and Truro contract with Lower Cape Ambulance Services. Provincetown contributes 70% and Truro contributes 30%, which is based on number of calls. Salaries have been elevated to that of Police Department and hours have been decreased to 2 days on and 2 days off. Four full time positions have been added. This was done to make job more competitive and stem employee turnover.

Mark Leach made a motion to approve budget of $216,300. Ginny Ross seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

220-Fire (Mike Trovato-Chief)

3% decrease reflects lack of success of rescue squad pilot program, which was budgeted at $48,000 for FY2005 and will only be budgeted at $10,000 for FY2006. Issue of being paid for training time was raised. Raising yearly stipend was discussed. Paying Chief a salary was discussed.

Ed Gage made a motion to approve budget of $410,135. Tom Thurston seconded and it passed 9:0:0. Board commended Chief on job well done regarding St. Peter’s Church.

210-Police (Ted Meyer, Chief; Warren Tobias, Staff Sergeant; and Andrea Poulin, Admin. Asst.)

9.5% increase, which reflects wage increase of 12%. This budget request includes hiring of 13 summer positions. Sergeants are now a separate bargaining unit. Negotiations will begin soon with Patrolmen for a new contract. Ruth Gilbert expressed concern about rising health insurance costs and urged Chief to assist in education efforts to have employees switch medical plans. Matthew Clark questioned overtime projections and possibility of grant revenue. Chief responded that it is always difficult to project overtime (7 staff openings, now) and that government has drastically reduced grant funding. Ruth Gilbert questioned TSA funding and expenditures.

Tom Thurston made a motion to approve budget of $1,641,102. Ginny Ross seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

211-Police Station (Ted Meyer, Chief and Andrea Poulin-Admin. Asst.)

47.4% increase reflects increases in utility costs and needed repairs.

Mark Leach made a motion to approve budget of $39,200. Matthew Clark seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

240-Inspections (Doug Taylor-Building Commissioner)

2% increase. Two full-time inspector positions and two part-time electrical and plumbing inspectors. Revenues are currently in step with other Cape towns.

Gary Delius made a motion to approve budget of $142,375. Sue Buerkel seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

241-Community Development (Doug Taylor-Building Commissioner)

5% increase reflects step increases for employees.

Gary Delius made a motion to approve budget of $$105,759. Walt Winnowski seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

296-Shellfish (Tony Jackett)

5.8% increase reflects increase in fuel costs for boats that supply shellfish stock as well as a return to historical levels of stock purchased. Fees have been increased.

Ginny Ross made a motion to approve budget of $39,038. Ed Gage seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

299-Parking (Ted Meyer-Police Chief and Pat Benatti-Parking Clerk)

5.1% decrease. Elimination of parking administrator position, replaced by 2 part time positions in the winter and full time in summer, with only 1 positions receiving benefits. System is completely auditable except for parking meters. Parking fund has a balance of about $349,000 (considered local receipts by DOR) and may be spent prospectively; spend next year’s funds for next year’s budget. Parking revenues were down from last year.

Tom Thurston made a motion to approve budget of $346,113. Ginny Ross seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

294-Harbor Committee

Level funded for costs of contracted Recording Secretary.

Sue Buerkel made a motion to approve budget of $1,553. Matthew Clark seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

295-Harbormaster

7% decrease

Mark Leach made a motion to table budget of $124,565. Gary Delius seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

291-Emergency Services

Gary Delius made a motion to approve budget of $0. Matthew Clark seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

Information requested from School Committee was handed out to be reviewed so that meeting could be rescheduled.

Meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Phyllis Lutsky

Phyllis Lutsky

Recording Secretary