Westport News

Present:    Bob McCarthy (BM), Hugh Morton (HM), John Miller (JM), Marybeth Ferrarini (MF), Jack Baughan (JB)

Late:    Warren Messier (WM) (arrived at 9pm)
 
Absent:    Mark Carney (MC), Tracy Priestner (TP), Charles “Buzzy” Baron (BB)
    
1. HM, Chair, opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with the traditional salute to the flag.

2. Dottie Silvia, Gene Clapin and Liz Collins were in attendance to discuss the budget for Elections & Registrations.  (See attached.)  This budget decreased by $7k for FY12 due to a decrease in elections.  

3. Marlene Samson was in attendance to discuss the Town Clerk budget.  (See attached.)  The budget increased slightly due to an increase in the Assistant Town Clerk pay scale.  

4. Carol Borden was in attendance to discuss the Tax Collector budget.  (See attached.)  The budget increased slightly to bring the clerks back to full staff, the Assistant Collector pay scale increase and postage costs, including a rise in tax takings.

5. Deborah Kenney, Paul Jennings and Marta Montleon were in attendance to discuss the budget for Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School.  (See attached.)  They do not ask any more from Westport than be mandated by the State calculations.  This year, the increase is almost $49k.  

6. JM spoke briefly on the budget for Bristol County Agricultural High School.  (See attached.)  The current FY11 budget is $61,446 for 38 students.  We currently have not received the budget for the FY12 school year.  JM said it is a wonderful school and everyone should go visit it if they get the chance.

7. Eileen Sheehan was in attendance to speak on the budget for the Personnel Board.  (See attached.)  This is a level funded budget.  They are currently working on an employee handbook to be in place next year.  There is some warrant articles to clean up some outdated job descriptions.

8. JB presented the level funded Data Processing budget.  (See attached.)  JM would like to draft a memo to the BOS to request they finish upgrading the phone system.

9. Sharon Connors was in attendance to discuss the level funded Historical Commission budget.  (See attached.)  This is just a small amount of working capital.  They take in much revenue from hearing fees to cover this budget.  The Historical district is from the Point to 1813 Main Rd.  They also have jurisdiction over historical inventory: buildings, cemeteries, etc.

10. HM presented BB’s memo to the BOS regarding legal.  BM made a motion and JM seconded it to send the memo as written.  All were in favor.

11. JM spoke briefly on the fact the roads in town have been updated with the DOT thanks to Sue Maynard of the Highway Department.  This increases our overall road miles and allows us to get more $ in Chapter 90 funds to repair and restore them.  After the town meeting, JM would like the Fincom to go over their plan to use the Chapter 90 funds and also the Snow & Ice strategy going forward.  

12. HM spoke briefly on the level funded Town Beach budget.  (See attached.)  He stated that we could take it into consideration again if WM wishes.

13. JB mentioned that he was concerned of the figure from the Highway Department of $904k for upgrading equipment and would like to have a second set of eyes look at it, such as another Highway Surveyor from a neighboring town.

Adjournment and next meeting: There being no further business to come before this meeting, BM moved and JB seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:05pm.  The vote in favor was unanimous.  The next meeting will be on April 26th at 7:00 p.m. at the Westport Town Hall.
                            
Respectfully submitted,
Nicole Botelho, Recording Secretary