Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
December 17, 2009
Regular Session
Present: Laura Burns, John Riley, Bruce Rabuffo, Selectmen
Kevin Paicos, Town Administrator
1. Bathing Beach – Mr. Foley from the Bathing Beach Trustees explained the effect on staff of the 5% budget cut. It is hoped that the Farmer’s Market will donate sufficient funds to restore the reduction in lifeguard staff.
2. Library – Dennis Corcoran explained the loss of one library staff position (by attrition) and the reassignment of staff responsibilities required by the 5% budget cut. The Board asked a number of questions regarding options to the proposed cut including regional library services.
3. Recreation – Mark Thorell and the Town Administrator explained that the Recreation Department’s 5% cut was being made by a transfer from the revolving fund to the salary account as the only funding left in the budget is the Director’s salary. The Board expressed the hope that the Director’s salary might one day be funded entirely by the revolving account.
4. Annual Independent Audit – James Powers of the firm Powers and Waite presented the CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report) to the Board. Following the presentation acceptance of the CAFR was tabled until the meeting on December 22, 2009.
5. South Shore Country Club – Jay McGrail presented the Country Club budget which has been level-funded for FY ’11. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding current and future programs.
6. Accounting/Debt Service/Employee Benefits/Insurance – Ted Alexiades presented the accounting budget and the reductions he has proposed as noted in his cover memo. The Town Administrator presented the differences in his recommendations, noting a reduction he recommends in personnel and the elimination of the $5,000 celebration funding. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the two recommendations. Mr. Alexiades also reviewed the debt service, insurance and retirement budgets.
7. Selectmen- The Town Administrator explained the reductions made in this budget as noted in his cover memo in the budget book. Personnel Board members Nelson Ross and Michael Puzo commented to the Board that they opposed the reduction of the Human Resources Director beyond the 4 hours proposed. The Board had a brief discussion regarding the proposed reductions. The Town Administrator then presented his recommendations on the Town Hall, Legal, Town Meeting, Engineering and Unclassified budgets.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
Kevin Paicos, Town Administrator
Clerk pro tem