Westport News

Click HERE to Download the Planning Board agenda for March 16, 2010

Posted by Lucy Tabit on March 11, 2010 | Go to page with just this entry on it.

Present:    Warren Messier (WM), Tony Vieira (TV), Hugh Morton (HM), Lisa Arnold (LA), Charles “Buzzy” Baron (BB), John Miller (JM), Bob McCarthy (BM), Jack Baughan (JB), and Tracy Priestner (TP).

1.    TV, Chair, opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. with the traditional salute to the flag.

2.    The reading and approval of the minutes from preceding meetings was postponed in order to convenience the department heads who were scheduled to present their proposed FY 2011 budgets.

3.     JM introduced Marta Montleon, Debbie Kenny, and Paul Jennings who, with him, presented the proposed budget for the Diman Regional School.  A Q&A period followed that focused upon the perceived unfairness of the Commonwealth’s use of a subsidy formula that resulted in Diman students from Fall River being subsidized in an amount that was over $8,000 more per pupil than the subsidy provided for Diman students from Westport.

4.    JM reported that no proposed budget had yet been set for the Bristol County Agricultural School since its board of trustees had not yet met for that purpose.

5.    TP introduced Westport School Superintendent, Dr. Carlos Colley and Melissa Sousa for the purpose of their presenting the proposed budget for the Westport Community Schools and made prepared introductory remarks that are attached to these minutes.  Dr. Colley led the FinComm through the extensive and detailed budget page by page and fielded questions.  The questions and answers dealt primarily with the large and unpredictable costs of special education programs mandated by the Commonwealth.  At the conclusion of the presentation of the proposed budget, TV noted that, since the matter of making up the FY2010 shortfall out of the Stabilization Fund had been last dealt with by the FinComm on February 9, a citizen petition had resulted in a Special Town Meeting being scheduled for March 9 at which the only warrant up for consideration would be one calling for authorization of such a move.  After some discussion of procedure that was aided by advice from the Town Moderator, it was moved by BB and seconded by TP that the FinComm recommend passage of that warrant.  After discussion of the motion by the members, it was passed by a vote of 5 to 4.

6.    JM introduced Jack Sisson and Sue Menard who, with him, presented the proposed budgets for the Highway Department and for Snow and Ice Removal.  It was noted that the proposed Highway budget would result in an increase in the amount of some $48,000 over the previous year but that the increase was necessitated primarily by preventive work required for roads that needed patching and by the need to purchase radio and signage equipment.  As regards the proposed budget for Snow and Ice Removal, discussion focused on whether the FinComm should continue its traditional practice of budgeting at an unrealistically low level in order to achieve a balanced budget in any particular fiscal year with the hope that overage could be covered out of Free Cash realized from the prior fiscal year.  In light of the fact that no Free Cash could be expected to be realized from FY 2010 and in light of the need to present Town Meeting and the electorate that might thereafter be asked to vote for a Proposition 2 ½ override with an accurate picture of the town’s financial situation, it was moved by BB and seconded by BM that we treat the proposed FY 2011 budget for Snow and Ice Removal in the same realistic fashion as we treat all other proposed FY 2011 budgets.  After some discussion, JB proposed an amendment to the motion that would nonetheless limit the proposed budget to $150,000.  The amendment not having been accepted by BB, the proposed amendment was moved by JB and seconded by BM.  After discussion, the amendment was defeated by a vote of 5 to 4.  Following further discussion, the original motion was passed by a vote of 7 to 2.

7.    BM introduced Wes Norman who presented the proposed FY 2011 budget for the Town Cemeteries.  Mr. Norman’s introductory remarks are attached to these minutes.

8.    BB presented the proposed budget for Street Lights in the absence of Denise Bouchard, who was suffering from laryngitis.

9.    JB presented the proposed budget for Water Enterprise.

10.    With the conclusion of the budget presentations scheduled on the night’s agenda, TV raised the question of whether there were any additions or corrections suggested for the minutes of February 9.  There being none, it was moved, seconded and passed by a vote of 8 positive and one abstention that they be approved.

11.    There then followed some discussion of steps to be taken to deal effectively with what appears to be a very strained revenue situation in FY 2011.  TV reported on a helpful meeting that the FinComm had had with the Board of Selectmen at the latter’s meeting the night before.  He reported that more such meetings were planned in order have everyone on the same page regarding steps that may need to be taken to cut spending as much as 5% over FY 2010 in order to make up for what, in the opinion of some, is likely to be a shortfall in the amount of around $1,500,000.00.  If this cannot be made up for by an override, we will have to come up with a balanced budget which makes reductions in that amount.  LA suggested that we take a positive view on the override possibility and do everything we can to make it a reality.  BB suggested that we implement a suggestion made by HM several meetings back that we conduct a campaign to educate the voters as to how the taxing and budgeting systems work and present them with a true picture of what they will all have to face in terms of service cuts if an override does not pass.  BB then moved and TP seconded a motion that the FinComm commit itself to implementing just such a program of voter education.  However, the motion was never voted upon.

12.    TV then mentioned that the Town Moderator had questioned the FinComm’s use of the Reserve Fund to cover shortfalls in its budget occasioned by overages in payment of fees for secretarial services.  BB moved and TP seconded a motion that, in light of the current revenue crisis, a member of the FinComm be designated to keep the minutes at each meeting.  After discussion, the motion was defeated by a vote of 5 to 3.

Adjournment and next meeting: There being no further business to come before the meeting, adjournment was moved, seconded and unanimously passed at 9:45 p.m.  The next regular meeting will be at Westport Town Hall on March 2nd at 6:30 p.m.
                            
Respectfully submitted,
Buzzy Baron, Recording Secretary, Pro Tem

Posted by Nicole Botelho on March 11, 2010 | Go to page with just this entry on it.

Present:    Warren Messier (WM), Tony Vieira (TV), Hugh Morton (HM), Lisa Arnold (LA), Charles “Buzzy” Baron (BB), John Miller (JM), Bob McCarthy (BM), Jack Baughan (JB), Tracy Priestner (TP)

1.    TV, Chair, opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. with the traditional salute to the flag.

2.    Minutes:    The minutes of 12/15 and 1/12 were presented for approval.  JB made a motion and WM seconded the motion to approve the minutes as amended.  The vote was unanimous in favor.  WM asked that the corrected minutes be emailed to members for their records.
            The minutes of 2/9 were discussed.  A few changes were made and BB was to send corrections to the secretary.  They were held until the next meeting.

3.    Moderator:    Steven Fors (SF), Moderator, asked to be on the agenda to discuss the letter that he sent the Fincom at a previous meeting.  He wants the committee to decide which rules to conduct the meetings by.  He stated this because the discussions tend to veer off topic and once there, there is no useful end to the discussion.  If there is a vote to be taken, discussion should be brief and to the point.  JB gave a memo to SF and discussed it at this venture. (See attached.)  After much discussion, SF pointed out how far off topic the committee was.  TV pointed out the roles of the Fincom that are posted on the web-site and from the handbook.   BB made a motion to appoint a subcommittee to look at different rules of order and come up with some for this committee.  TP seconded the motion and all were in favor of BB, HM and WM to be the subcommittee.

4.    Fire Department:    Brian Legendre (BL), Fire Chief, was in attendance to present his FY11 budget.  (See attached.)  He talked about the ambulance revenue being down per number of runs and rate of insurance payments.  He spoke on his budget increase to replace monies that were cut during the FY10 budget cuts.  He has 21 full time and 23 call men in the department.  He runs 2 ambulances 24/7 and has a 3rd for backup.  His two warrant articles are procedural only to restate the revolving funds.  BM commended him on his hard work and the number of grants the department receives every year.

5.    Fire Station Building Committee:    BL and WM spoke on this.  They handed out an expense report to date and to be spent.  (See attached.)  The project is at 70%, which is ahead of schedule.  A dedication ceremony is planned for July 24, 2010.  The Fincom had many doubts about the $500k that was slated for a training tower.  After much discussion, a motion was made by JB and seconded by BM for WM to ask and report back to the Fincom the necessity of the training tower.  WM had already expressed his concern regarding this to the Fire Station Building Committee and was told it was a necessity for training and ISO ratings.  JB and BM withdrew their motion.  BM then made a motion for Fincom to advise WM to go back to the Fire Station Building Committee and let them know that the Fincom is against the tower when they just voted against the $150k for the schools.  LA seconded the motion and all were in favor.  Michael Coughlin (MC), Town Administrator, felt the vote was premature because there are several other options being discussed and Fincom should let the Fire Station Building Committee do their job.

6.    Parking Tickets:    BB presented the Parking Tickets budget for FY11. (See attached.)  Denise Bouchard was not able to attend.  He went over the small budget, which is offset by fees collected.  He also mentioned that Tom Hancock is an appointed volunteer parking officer.

7.    Weights & Measures:    BB presented the Weights & Measures proposed FY11 budget.  He went over the small budget, which is offset by fees collected.  He also mentioned that the Sealer of Weights & Measures, Dennis Thibault, has been looking at raising the fees in the Town to make them more comparable to other towns in the area.  BB made a motion to send a letter to the BOS to ask them to consider raising the Weights and Measures fees.  BM seconded the motion and all were in favor.

8.    Town Administrator:    MC was in attendance to discuss the FY11 budget and Annual Town Meeting.  He said there were not too many $ articles to date for this year.  He told the Fincom that they are scheduled to meet with the BOS on February 22nd at the Town Hall Annex.  JM discussed the audit committee and asked for a vote of the Fincom if his efforts should continue.  JB made a motion that the audit committee should be a function of the Fincom and that JM should withdraw is efforts for a separate audit committee from the BOS.  WM seconded the motion and the vote was 8 in favor and 1 abstention.  BB made a motion that for the budgets for FY11, the Fincom should take the position of a balanced budget based on a realistic revenue projection now and adjust it up or down accordingly as the picture gets clearer.  LA seconded the motion and all were in favor.  

9.    Other:        TV asked about the location for the next meeting as the Superintendent was coming before the Fincom to present his budget.  TP made a motion and BB seconded the motion to move the meeting to the Westport High School cafeteria.  All were in favor of this move and the clerk was asked to post it.
            JB commented on the CIPC that a meeting was scheduled for this Thursday, Feb. 18th to discuss the $5 million requests.
            LA distributed a report on the Transfer Station.  (See attached.)  MC commented on the DEP report that said we should abandon the punch cards and go to a pay-as-you throw bag system.  He also mentioned that the BOH had already voted to increase the sticker fees to $30.  JM wanted someone to figure out the true cost to run the Transfer Station including overhead on the personnel.  
            Dick Lambert, audience member, asked if anyone had ever thought of privatizing some departments or about putting the town employees on Social Security instead of Bristol County Retirement.  TV said the committee would take it under advisement.
            TV had a request to transfer $1,500 from the Reserve Fund to cover the shortfall in the Fincom budget for personnel.  LA moved to sign this transfer.  TP seconded the motion and all were in favor.  A bill was also presented to pay the clerk her salary.  LA made the motion to approve the payroll.  TP seconded it and all were in favor.
            TV distributed a memo from BB and HM regarding the open meeting law.

Adjournment and next meeting: There being no further business to come before this meeting, BB moved and BM seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:00pm.  The vote in favor was unanimous.  The next regular meeting will be on February 23rd at 6:30 p.m. at the Westport High School cafeteria.
                            
Respectfully submitted,
Nicole Botelho, Recording Secretary

Posted by Nicole Botelho on March 11, 2010 | Go to page with just this entry on it.