Westport News

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

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

2.     Minutes:    WM made a motion to accept the minutes of March 23rd, April 6th and April 20th as presented.  JM seconded the motion and all were in favor with HM abstaining from March 23rd and JM abstaining from April 6th.

3.    Budget Subcommittee:    HM reported on the meeting of the Budget Subcommittee.  They agreed on a deficit of $1,569,239.52.  They made no decision on how to share the shortfall.  LA stated that it is no longer a question of how much the deficit is but who will take the hit.  Someone needs to step up and make a decision.  Terry Provencal, Town Accountant, handed out a revenue projection sheet for FY11.  The only problem would be the $135k for the local option tax if it doesn’t pass at Town Meeting.  Michael Coughlin, Town Administrator, weighed in on this subject.  He is discussing with the BOS the option of reorganizing positions, i.e. Dog Officer and IT.  He also mentioned legislation regarding cuts to the Library not affecting certification.  All decisions need to be made soon so we have adequate time to inform the voters before Town Meeting.  Steve Fors, Moderator, said the by-law governing the time frame has never been strictly adhered to.  On May 3rd, the school will present their cuts to the BOS.  May 5th is a Budget Subcommittee meeting and May 6th is a joint meeting with the School Committee, BOS and Fincom.  LA said she would like the budgets to come from those who actually prepared them.  BM said the biggest impact of the cuts would be the closing of the Transfer Station.  LA made a motion and JB seconded the motion that the split of the deficit would be 50/50 between the Schools and the Town.  HM amended the motion and JM seconded the amendment to allow TV and HM to take the recommendation to the Budget Subcommittee and allow them to negotiate as they see is justified.  The vote was unanimous on both motions.

4.    Other:    TV reminded everyone that all are welcome to attend the Budget Subcommittee meeting on April 28th at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall and the BOS meeting on April 29th at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall Annex.

Adjournment and next meeting: There being no further business to come before this meeting, HM moved and TP seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:10pm.  The vote in favor was unanimous.  The next meeting will be on May 4th at 6:30 p.m. at the Westport Town Hall.   A continuation of meetings will be posted on May 5th and 6th at 6:30 p.m. if needed.  
                            
Respectfully submitted,
Nicole Botelho, Recording Secretary