Back to Advisory Committee Minutes
October 28, 2010 Meeting Minutes
Hingham Town Hall
Present: Committee Members Manning, Asher, MacCune, Dwyer, Ellison, Farrell, Friedman, Innis, Marwill, Mooradian, Power, Pyles
1. Call to order
Chair Jack Manning called the Advisory Committee meeting to order at 7:35 PM.
2. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the October 5, 2010 and the October 14, 2010 minutes were unanimously approved.
3. Update from Sub-committees
At the request of the Chair, the following sub-committees reported on preliminary discussions on the fiscal 2012 budget and any potential warrant articles:
• General Government-It was reported there are no "icebergs on the horizon" but it was noted that a 2% budget cut from FY 2011 funding would likely result in layoffs. It was noted that Hersey House litigation costs would exceed the 2011 legal budget. It was also noted that an unbudgeted mailing would be required if the 2010 census results in redistricting due to the loss of one or more congressional seats in Massachusetts.
• Public Safety-Due to rollover in personnel (i.e., senior employees retiring and being replaced by less experienced employees at lower rates, the Police Department expected that level funding would result in level services. A 2% cut in funding would result in headcount reduction of 2 FTEs. Expenditures to get regional dispatch up and running could represent a "smaller iceberg". In response to a question from Mary Power as to when savings from regional dispatch would be realized, Ted Alexiades reported that the space will be ready in January 2011, but not expected to be operational until July 1, 2011 and that a full year of savings could be expected for FY 2012.
• Community Planning-it was noted that several budgets were being merged together as a result of the reorganization of this department last year and that some savings were expected to be realized.
• Sewer-No issued noted as the Sewer Department is user rate funded.
• Recreation-It was noted that only the Recreation Department director's salary is funded by the Town. The department hopes to avoid a cut in the director's salary (i.e., be level funded). It was noted that the proposed skateboard park could create additional expense without generating any revenue.
• DPW-Potential savings from the new SEMASS contract should cover any unanticipated items for 2011 and allow for a 2% funding cut in 2012. It was noted, however, that the deferred maintenance on Town roads totaled approximately $60 million.
• Schools-Amy Farrell deferred until the next meeting pending further analysis by the School Department of first quarter numbers. It was noted that level services for 2012 would be based on reduced services from a pre-2009 level of services and that both level funding and a 2% reduction in funding would result in headcount reductions, larger class sizes and possible reduction or elimination of programs.
There was brief discussion as to whether or not the level-funding benchmark should include "one-time" federal stimulus funds that were included in the FY 2011 budget. Dennis Friedman stated that it was his understanding that the Committee agreed back in March 2010 that $961,000 of general ARRA and IDEA funds would supplement the budgeted total to fund Education in the amount of $36,426,176. Concern was expressed over the hazard of budgeting based on a "one-time" event; however, it is expected that—depending on the results of the November 2010 state election—the state would replace the federal stimulus funding.
4. School Department Master Plan
Amy updated the Committee on the report of the School Department's Master Plan Review Committee which was presented on October 25, 2010. Highlights include:
• The expectation that enrollment will continue to rise, reaching a peak in 2016.
• All current facilities, with the exception of the Middle School, were capable of handling the increased enrollment.
• The Town is eligible for MSBA funding even though the debt related to the Middle School science wing is still being paid down.
• The Middle School is not eligible for the green building initiative due to the age and condition of the building, but can be considered for the model middle school program.
• Interim solutions to the Middle School's needs were presented including expanding the cafeteria by knocking down the music room wall, adding to the gymnasium, additional modular classrooms and adding an exterior corridor.
• Longer-term solutions include a new or substantially renovated school.
Dennis Friedman suggested that the School Committee needed to inform the Town as to the School Committee's intended long-term solution so that the Townspeople can properly evaluate any proposed interim solution. Dennis also noted that the costs go beyond the physical plant and include other costs needed to operate an expanded school (e.g., additional staffing).
5. DPW Update
The scale is up and running and generating revenue. It was noted that a number of transactions at the scale were being paid in cash. While acknowledging the preference and expectation of all that the scale was intended to be a non-cash operation, Ted stated that he believed the volume of cash transactions was very low, that it would decrease as more users became aware of the policies and procedures and that appropriate controls were in place to manage the risk of theft.
6. Country Club Update
Andy Mooradian updated the Committee on the Country Club's plans for situating a cell tower on the property. The location near St. Paul's cemetery has been ruled out due to abutter issues and the Club is currently reviewing options that include the flag pole and the cupola on top of the clubhouse. Andy thought there was a 50% chance of a warrant article related to this matter.
Other items discussed were the continued enhancements to existing club facilities including the opening of a sports bar and an indoor golf simulator. Andy also noted that the golf cart fleet needed to be replaced in the near future.
7. Legal Letter Update
Jack initiated a discussion of the letter to the Board of Selectmen drafted by Karen Johnson regarding AdCom perspectives on the Town's handling of legal matters and the related costs. It was noted that the letter had been reviewed by the other attorneys on the AdCom and they had no objections. Accordingly, it was agreed that the letter should be forwarded to the BOS.
8. Potential Warrant Articles
Jack reminded the AdCom of the desirability of identifying potential warrant articles as soon as possible. It was also suggested that parties presenting warrant articles for consideration need to do a thorough job of drafting the proposed article to avoid significant reworking of the article by the AdCom.
Possible warrant articles known at this time include:
• An article from the League of Women Voters to make the Town's legislative process more efficient and encourage increased participation
• An article to reduce speaking limits at Town Meeting
• An article related to raising revenue from the Transfer Station
• An article to disband the Water Supply Committee
An article (recurring) to approve Light Plant PILOT funds was ready for AdCom consideration. It was noted that the Traffic Committee did not expect to present an article for the 2011 Town Meeting, but it is possible that the Board of Selectmen might depending on the Traffic Committee's final report.
9. Recap of Association of Town Finance Committee Annual Meeting
Jack provided a brief summary of information presented at the meeting and committed to providing a written summary at a future AdCom meeting. Jack noted that topics that generated significant interest were GIC participation and Open Meeting Law compliance issues.
This led to brief discussion of having an "Open Forum" item on the published agenda. Ted reminded the Committee that this should be used carefully and not be abused to circumvent the Open Meeting Law requirements.
10. AdCom Correspondence
Jack invited the attention of the Committee to a letter he received from Ed Siegfried (which was also published in the Hingham Journal). Jack stated that he believed the content of the letter was outside the scope of the AdCom's responsibility, but Jack felt it was proper to acknowledge publicly that the letter had been received.
11. Open Forum
Interim Veterans' Services Officer: Jack informed the Committee that Keith Jermyn had been appointed as interim Veterans' Services Officer due to the departure of Michael Cunningham.
Ward Street Fields: The Committee was informed that a scaled-down version of the lacrosse fields project with natural turf and no lights was proceeding forward. It was noted that a warrant article was not required with respect to this project in its current form.
Fund Balance: Ted led a discussion of a memo he presented that was prepared by Sue Nickerson, Interim Town Accountant, related to the increase in Fund Balance for the year ended June 30, 2010. It was noted that of the $4.6 million increase in Fund Balance, approximately $2.2 million was realized from operational efficiencies and other savings, that $0.5 million was from a transfer from the Light Department and $1.9 million was the result of a premium related to bond issuances in October 2009. Ted went through the mechanics of the bond premium, and it was noted that the impact on Fund Balance resulting from the bond premium was temporary as the premium amount would ultimately be paid to the bond holders over the 20-year term of the bonds.
AdCom Handbook: It was noted that the Handbook was ready to go pending resolution of one open comment.
12. Next Meeting
The next meeting of the AdCom is scheduled for November 16th, 2010 at 7:30 PM.
13. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 10:11 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Greg MacCune, Secretary