Finance Committee Meeting

March 13, 2006

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

 

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

Members Excused: Alice Foley 

Also Present: Keith Bergman, Town Manager     

 

Meeting was called to order at 3 p.m.

 

Public Hearing: Capital Improvements Budget

Opened at 3:05 p.m. Closed at 3:35 p.m. as no members of the public came to address the committee.

 

Special Town Meeting Article Review

STM-1   Wastewater Optimization and Expansion-Borrowing Authorization: $1.5 million 

Tom Thurston made a motion to recommend. Sue Buerkel seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

STM-2   Community Preservation: Acquisition of 90 Shankpainter Rd for Community Housing Purposes

Robert Vetrick made a motion to recommend subject to amended language requiring the Town to assess the site’s remediation liabilities prior to actually closing on the purchase. Sue Buerkel seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

STM-3  Land Bank-Open Space Acquisition of 74 Harry Kemp Way: $340,500 borrowing

Gary Delius recused himself as he is a member of the Conservation Trust. Ruth Gilbert expressed reservations of locking this property into open space leaving no option for possible affordable housing.

Matthew Clark reminded the committee that it had voted not to recommend any further Land Bank purchases until the Open Space Committee published a map of Town-owned properties and showing available walking trails. On the principle that public monies should be spent on public benefits, he made a motion to reserve recommendation until Open Space Committee provides a report on their progress in terms of trails and mapping. Tom Thurston seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

STM-4  Land Bank Pre-acquisition Expenses: $30,000 transfer

Gary Delius recused himself as he is a member of the Conservation Trust.

Matthew Clark made a motion to reserve recommendation until Open Space Committee provides a report on their progress in terms of trails and mapping. Tom Thurston seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

 

Gary Delius returned to meeting

 

STM-5   Perfecting Land Transfers

Gary Delius made a motion to recommend. Ginny Ross seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

STM-6   Cape End Manor FY 2006 Supplemental Appropriation: $550,000

Prop 2-1/2 override covers $350,000 and $200,000 comes from anticipated revenues from Manor.

Robert Vetrick made a motion to recommend. Ed Gage seconded and it passed 8:1:0

STM-7   Cape End Manor Building Repair Costs: $200,000 borrowing

Ruth Gilbert had previously suggested that this amount be reduced.

Gary Delius made a motion to recommend at a reduced amount of $100,000. Ginny Ross seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

STM-8   FY2006 Budget Adjustments

Tom Thurston made a motion to table recommendation until Town Manager provides final numbers. Ed Gage seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

STM-9   Increase Length of Borrowing from 10-20 years for SBA-

Reimbursable School Building Improvements

Motive is to reduce amount of yearly debt service payment.

Matthew Clark made a motion to recommend. Robert Vetrick seconded and it passed 8:1:0.

STM-10   Insurance Proceeds: Harbormaster’s Boat Repairs: $45,655 transfer.

Gary Delius made a motion to recommend. Tom Thurston seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

STM-11   Cost of living increase adjustment to 17D Surviving Spouse, Minor Child, or Elderly Person exemption for FY 2006

Robert Vetrick made a motion to recommend. Ginny Ross seconded and it passed 9:0:0.


ATM-15   Tax Relief for Income Eligible Seniors

Raises the exemption from $500 to $1,000 which is state limit; decreases minimum age and increases whole estate limit.

Tom Thurston made a motion to reserve recommendation until Council on Aging reports on financial implications of proposed changes. Ed Gage seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

ATM-16 Discount on Sewer Bills for Income Eligible Seniors.

Robert Vetrick made a motion to not recommend. Ed Gage seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

STM-12  Fireworks: $32,100 transfer.

Mark Leach made a motion to reserve recommendation. Sue Buerkel seconded and it passed 9:0:0.

 

Meetings scheduled for Friday, March 17, 2006 from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2006 from 1-4 p.m. and Friday, March 24, 2006 from 1-4 p.m.

 

Finance Committee continued in a joint budget meeting with Board of Selectmen.

Finance Committee adjourned at 7 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Phyllis Lutsky

Phyllis Lutsky

Recording Secretary

 

 

Approved by_______________________________on_____________