Back to Advisory Committee Minutes
February 1, 2011 Meeting Minutes
Hingham Town Hall
Present: Committee Members Manning, Asher, MacCune, Farrell, Eldredge, Innis, Marwill, Power, Pyles, Johnson, Ellison, Kirven, Dwyer
1. Call to order
Chair Jack Manning called the Advisory Committee meeting to order at 7:08 PM.
2. Update on Benchmarking
Jack Manning updated the Committee on the status of the benchmarking initiative noting that the intern that had been brought in was no longer working for the Town. There was discussion as to how much work needed to be done, who could be expected to do it and when it might be completed. It was noted that the School Department, the Library and some of the smaller departments had done benchmarking on their own and that Ted Alexiades was considering alternatives to move forward with the other departments. It seemed unlikely that the benchmarking initiative would be completed in time to add substantial value to the 2012 budget cycle; however, there was consensus that the information would be useful even if it would not be available until later in the spring. Jack will follow-up with Ted.
3. Budget Hearings
The Committee heard FY 2012 budget presentations from the following departments (no votes were taken):
Department |
% Change from FY11 |
Comments |
Sewer Commission |
-3.17% |
Level services. Slight decrease in expenditures. All expenditures are charged back to the rate payers. |
Police Department |
-3.37% |
Level services. Slight decrease in expenditures. Additional request of $510,000 to increase manning and overtime. AdCom considered increase of approximately $100,000 to add two positions. |
Dispatch |
0.00% |
Level funding representing placeholder for this department pending completion/implementation of regional dispatch. |
Animal Control |
+4.46% |
Level services. Increase for step increase. |
Department |
% Change from FY11 |
Comments |
Fire Department |
+1.91% |
Level services. Slight decrease in expenditures. Additional request of $1,650 for office supplies. |
Emergency Management |
+1.54% |
Level services. Slight increase ($179) in payroll. |
Public Safety Utilities |
-2.95% |
Level services. Slight decrease in expenditures. |
Weights and Measures |
0.00% |
Level services. Level funding. |
4. Televising AdCom Meetings
There was a continuation of the previous discussion of the pros and cons of televising meetings.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the members present voted 7-5 to not televise meetings of the AdCom.
5. Town Forum
Jack informed the Committee that the Town Forum was scheduled for Sunday, February 13, 2011. There was a brief discussion of topics that might be discussed at the meeting.
6. MSBA Update
Karen Johnson provided a brief update on the School Department’s recent meeting with the MSBA regarding the Middle School. Karen noted the need for a feasibility study and the need to approve funding for same at Town Meeting.
7. Next Meeting
The next meeting of the AdCom is scheduled for February 3, 2011 at 7:00 PM.
8. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 10:37 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Greg MacCune, Secretary