Finance Committee Meeting

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Caucus Hall,Town Hall, Provincetown, MA 02657

Members Present: Ruth Gilbert, Ed Gage, Walt Winnowski, Robert Vetrick, Mark Leach, Ginny Ross, Gary Delius and Sue Buerkel

Members Excused: Gail Enos, Tom Thurston and Matthew Clark

Staff Present: Keith Bergman, Town Manager

Meeting called to order at 4:25 p.m.

ATM-30 Fourth of July Fireworks (Sandy Turner, Deputy DPW Director)

Sue Buerkel made a motion to recommend that $19,850 come out of VSB budget for fireworks, overtime and barge. Ed Gage seconded. Robert Vetrick stated his opposition to motion. He thinks that town should cover these costs as VSB already contributes over $400,000 to General Fund. Mark Leach agreed with Robert Vetrick. The motion passed 6:2:0. (Sue Buerkel and Robert Vetrick) Sue Buerkel withdrew this motion.

Sue Buerkel made a motion to recommend that $3,025 be spent from General Fund for Fourth of July parade. Ed Gage seconded. Sue Buerkel withdrew this motion.

Sue Buerkel made a motion to recommend $23,000: $20,000 to be spent from VSB for Fourth of July fireworks, barge and overtime and $3,000 to be spent from General Fund for Fourth of July parade. Ed Gage seconded and it passed 6:2:0. Sue Buerkel withdrew this motion.

Further discussion will be had at joint meeting with BOS and Town Manager.

Gary Delis made a motion to approve budget of $23,000. Sue Buerkel seconded and it passed 7:1:0.

STM-4 Stabilization Fund Appropriation

$418,000 is amount proposed.

Gary Delius made a motion to recommend. Ginny Ross seconded and it passed 8:0:0. (Gary Delius)

STM-6 Conveyance of PHS Annex property, 5 Holway Avenue

BOS will be voting to accept Center for Coastal Studies bid to buy building for $800,000.

Robert Vetrick made a motion to recommend. Gary Delius seconded and it passed 8:0:0. (Ruth Gilbert)

STM-8 Increase Length of Borrowing from 10-20 years for SBA-Reimbursable School Buildings

Sue Buerkel made a motion to not recommend. Mark Leach seconded and it passed 8:0:0. (Mark Leach)

Discusssion will continue at joint meeting with BOS.

Robert Vetrick made a motion to approve minutes from March 24, 2005. Mark Leach seconded and it passed 4:0:4

Review of which Finance Committee member will speak on each article at Special and Annual Town Meetings.

Continued meeting at 6:00 p.m. with BOS in the Judge Welsh Hearing Room.

Joint Public Hearing on proposed 2006 Fiscal Budget

Division I General Government

BOS recommends $1,105,509/FinCom recommends $1,060,509

Difference is in Town Manager Personal Services budget for Assistant Town Manager position. Sarah Peake spoke in favor of FinCom’s recommendation. Michelle Couture spoke in favor of BOS recommendation stating that Town Manager is already over-worked. Richard Olsen is in favor of $60,000 for Assistant Town Manager position. Mary-Jo Avellar spoke of her concern that there is no back-up if Town Manager leaves position.

Division II Finance Committee

BOS recommends $6,598,123/FinCom recommends same.

Ruth Gilbert spoke of FinCom’s concern about rising costs in employee benefits. Barbara Rushmore spoke about her concern that VSB has not yet been paid back. Sarah Peake asked that this be taken up when VSB is on agenda later.

Division III Public Safety

BOS recommends $3,076,575/FinCom recommends same.

Division IV Public Works

BOS recommends $2,125,464/FinCom recommends same.

Division V Public Services

BOS recommends $3,444,914/FinCom recommends $3,444,914

Ruth Gilbert stated concern about Tourism Budget (699) and FinCom’s questions regarding funding for Fourth of July activities. Sarah Peake suggested that business community be responsible for paying some of these costs. Michelle Couture disagreed. Robert Vetrick suggested approving the article as is with the understanding that this issue be addressed at a later time.

ATM-32 Expenditures from the Tourism Fund.

Ginny Ross made a motion to recommend $406,073. Walt Winnowski seconded. Ginny Ross withdrew motion.

Division VI Public Schools

BOS recommends $4,270,848/FinCom recommends same.

Ruth Gilbert spoke to increase in Cape Tech costs which have just about doubled. Also spoke about declining enrollment, cost per child and long term issues.

Mary-Jo Avellar thanked Finance Committee for their cooperation.

Sarah Peake questioned FinCom’s statement to voters.

ATM-5 FY2006 Enterprise Funds

Robert Vetrick made a motion to recommend budget of $1,947,521. Gary Delius seconded and it passed 8:0:0. (Gary Delius)

Meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Phyllis Lutsky

Phyllis Lutsky