Town of Becket Finance Committee
January 3, 2008 Minutes
Present: Mike Falk, Ann Spadafora, Jeremy Dunn, Steve Labelle, Amy Fyden
Absent: Richard Furlong
Also Present: Bill Cavanaugh
Present for 1st half of meeting: Bob Tensel, Susan Carroll, Jim Stankiewicz from CBRSD
The meeting was called to order at 7:01pm.
1. CBRSD presentation
Much information was presented to the Finance Committee, regarding CBRSD finances, enrollments, trends, expectations, etc.
Items discussed in detail:
a) $60,116 overage for Becket/Washington school
Option 1: return $ to Becket & Washington
Option 2: apply $ to future payments
A question remains whether the interest earned on payments to CBRSD, before the money was expended, will cause a reduction of the debt-excluded amount. To be discussed at a future FinCom meeting, and/or determined by CBRSD
b) 7-town Advisory committee meeting scheduled for 1/31/08 in the Library of Nessacus School
c) CBRSD 7-town agreement needs a few amendments
· list of schools is out-of-date
· pre-K now included in schools (1 mandated, 2 non-mandated)
d) Dalton is apparently considering withdrawing from some or all of the 7-town agreement
e) The School Committee will review the Wahconah HS building committee report in 1/24/08. Dalton may not be in favor of these expenses
f) Teachers union contract is in mediation.
Budget draft will make “reasonable” expectations for the outcome of these talks.
g) Projected large increases in FY09 budget:
· Health Care +12% (+~$650k assuming current employer share remains constant)
· Fuel Oil + 22%
2. Request to state legislators for assistance rebuilding McNerney Rd. bridge
Rep. Guyer replied that Mass. Highway was working on obtaining TIP funding, and it would be premature to consider other funding sources. Sen. Downing replied in the same vein
FinCom feels is it very unlikely the town will be able to get TIP funding; it’s very difficult to get to the top of the list. FinCom should continue communicating with the representatives
TASK: Mike to call both legislators in early March
3. Highway / Police facility.
No updates. Expectation is still for a presentation by engineering firm in time for ATM
4. Audit. In progress; no new information
5. Broadband
As of Jan 2, 2008, Utility.net may get term sheet from venture capital firm. If so, a contract with WMECO could be signed within 2 weeks. If so, Becket could be on-line in 4 months
6. FY09 Warrant
Mike met with Richard on 1/3/08 to begin warrant. Initial figures may be ready for 1/10/08 meeting
7. Health Insurance recommendations
Select Board has not yet reviewed the recommendation to increase employee share of health insurance costs 5% over two years. Will be discussed at upcoming Select Board meeting
8. Employee Salary comparisons
Collective bargaining agreements for Lee, Lenox, and Adams were reviewed. Becket is paying competitive wages.
9. Transfers. None this evening; deferred to 1/10/08 meeting
10. Minutes of 12/6/07 FinCom meeting approved without modification
11. FinCom comments for Town’s Annual report.
TASK: Mike to draft comments; circulate to FinCom for review; discuss at 1/10/07 meeting.
There was no public input.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:27pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeremy Dunn
Clerk
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