Town of Becket Finance Committee
March 6, 2008 Minutes
Present: Mike Falk, Ann Spadafora, Steve Labelle, Amy Fyden
Absent: Jeremy Dunn
Also Present: Richard Furlong
Present for 1st half of meeting: (Town Employees) Kathy Hayn Burtt, Elizabeth Will, Susan Donnelly and Nina Weiler
The meeting was called to order at 7:12pm.
1. Minutes of Jan 10th meeting (Amy) – not ready
2. Transfers from Reserve Fund – none
3. Update on Yokum Pond Bridge repair - $230K Est. not including engineering costs
-does not have to pass town meeting because it does not effect the budget
-has to pass selectmen vote 2/3 to be put on the ballot (vote – debt exclusion)
-if over-run funds will come from chapter 90
-Engineering cost also come from chapter 90
4. Review of 2009 Warrant with changes this week. Discuss possible Prop 2½ override.
-School operating budget – s/b 3% increase
-This year the avg town increase is 6.32% and Becket is considered a wealthy town so its share is 8.74%.
The budget must be approved by 5 towns – the school district has planned for budget cuts if this request is denied.
-Adjustments made – winter roads, legal, tax title
5. Chief Bill Elovirta to present Police Department proposals
-Request toad a police person / Bill reviewed # of overnight calls on an avg. year.
FinCom response – Sorry we cannot be more receptive but this year we will have to pass – due to lack of money. We would like to re-look at this request next year or if something changes in the current budget.
6. Free Cash Certification update – no change
7. Elected vs. Appointed Treasurer and Tax Collector positions update
-Mike spoke w/ Brad Balzer, Deputy Director of the Office of Campaigns and political finance. As long as we are not spending tax dollars it is OK to take a position – as to give guidance to our voters.
8. Revision to Wage Classification ranges – correction made (town clerk)
9. Berkshire South Community Center letter requesting $1200
-Becket has never given monies in the past and it looks like we will have to pass on this request but we will list the request as a line item.
10. Discussion of town employees suggestions – differ this item until after the insurance meeting.
11. There was no public input.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:04 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Fyden
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