Finance Committee Meeting Minutes

 

Members                         Absent                                    Other                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Shaun Galliher                                                                Bart Collins, Select Board member                                                                                                                                                                                 

Jim Chivers                                                                     Susan Rathbun, Chief of Police

Heather Brown                                                                Elizabeth Zipp, Police Sargent

Russ Parks  

Bonnie Conner

Mary Rice

Tracy Lussier

Sara Baumann

 

The meeting was opened at 6:30 pm. 

A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes of the October 6, 2022 meeting as written. The motion passed unanimously.  A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes of the November 17, 2022 meeting as written.  The motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Galliher and the Committee reviewed the Expense Report.  Two accounts involving Water and Sewer Administration were explained as being done differently  for accounting purposes and will not run over.

 

Bob Graves reported that Berkshire Regional Planning is working on centralizing Building Permits for Berkshire County.  This would make the process easier and more consistent for all the small Towns.  It was unclear if this would include Special Permits.  All Towns would still retain their Inspectors and budgets but this is expected to make the process easier and save the Towns money.  They will also be working on IT issues that are different in all the Town.  If they can get most Towns on the same software they could secure State Funding to offset costs to the Towns.

 

The Committee discussed the Transfer Station.  The Contractor will be back in the Spring to do some re-seeding fix some areas that were eroded due to water runoff.  Approximately 7K has been held to complete this work. Bart Collins reported seeing weeds coming up through the blacktop, and this will be looked into. The Committee discussed raising the fees to help offset the costs related to its operation.  Bob Graves reported that the Select Board is in the process of assessing all the Town fees for possible increases.

 

The Committee also discussed the problem with the new State order that no mattresses can be accepted at the landfill.  Two were found just up the road and it cost the Town $125. each to dispose of them.  Another problem is textiles that must now be recycled, noting that the drop box at the Congregational Church as been packed recently.  There is a central location for mattresses being set up at the Dalton Landfill otherwise they have to be taken to Gardner Ma.  Bob Graves reported that there are several new businesses being started to deal with these issues and Northern Berkshire Waste is providing that information to us.

 

Jim Chivers, School Building Committee, reported that there are a few issues left that are on schedule to be finished.  He said the Track project has been started by assessing drainage issues and maintenance requirements going forward.

 

Bonnie Conner, Seven Town Advisory Committee, reported that she was unable to attend the last meeting and has heard nothing about any future meetings.

 

Mary Rice, Water Sewer Committee, had no report for this meeting.

 

Bob Graves reported that the Fire Department is working on the financing portion for the new Tanker. The Federal Government does not have the funding yet for the USDA loans, and the Grant request for 35% funding is being worked on.  They do require proof of three bids.  They also stipulate, that if the Grant is awarded, the Town pays their portion first before any Grant funds are released. This would require a Special Town Meeting to approve the funding for either event.  As it is now, the Tanker must be paid in full upon delivery, which is expected in two to three years. At this time, we only have the 57K approved at the ATM.

The Fire Department Reserve Fund request for Fire Engine Pump Repair is on hold for more information.

 

Chief Rathbun reported that, in her opinion,  the potential Police Merger should not go forward and that she is not in favor of it.  Although she said she initially supported it, she does not think that it would work for our Town for various reasons. The Chief and the Committee discussed options that are still in the early stages.

 

In other business, Chief Rathbun attended this meeting to request more funds for her Officers in a attempt to keep them here.  She reported that several local Towns are offering cash incentives to lure qualified Officers such as bonuses and pay increases and she may lose two Officers because of this. Chairman Galliher said that increasing wages has been our goal and we have been working in that direction for the past several years.  The Committee discussed this issue and are in agreement that we need to increase wages, at this time,  in order to retain Officers.  We will be gathering wage and benefit information for Towns of our approximate size and needs  and continue this discussion at our next meeting.  Any increase in funds would need to be voted on at a Special Town Meeting and if approved, the current Contract would need to be revised.

 

Chief Rathbun also reported that our Cruisers are putting on a lot of miles and are having issues and increased repair costs. 

 

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 6:35 pm, the motion passed unanimously.  The next regular meeting of this Committee is Thursday, January 5, 2022 at 6:30 pm in the downstairs Community room at Town Hall.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Mary A. Rice, Secretary