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Finance Committee Meeting

Meeting date: 
Thursday, October 15, 2015

 TOWN OF HARWICH

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

Harwich Community Center

Thursday, October 15, 2015

6:00 P.M.

 

Present:  Chair, Dana DeCosta; Rich Larios; Noreen Donahue; Ed McManus; Larry Ballantine, and Mark Ameres

Not Present: Pam Groswald and Jack Brown

 

I.Call to Order

Dana DeCosta called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

 

 

II.Approval of Minutes

Motion made by Ed McManus to approve for the record that the Meeting of Wednesday August 20, 2015 was cancelled due to lack of quorum.  Seconded by Mark Ameres

VOTE: Yes 6, No 0

 

 

III. Reserve Fund Transfer

Request for Transfer of Funds from the Reserve Fund for $15,100 to cover the demolition and removal of a structure destroyed by fire that presented a hazard to the neighborhood. Motion made by Ed McManus to approve the transfer of $15,000 for building demolition.  Seconded by Noreen Donahue.

VOTE: Yes 6, No 0, Abstain 0

 

Discussion of other Transfer of Funds in the Works:

 

  • Police – Records Updating ($8,000 - $10,000)
  • Library – Outside front columns ($39,000 probably from CPC)
  • Discussion regarding other funds available for police and library (Trust Money, etc.)

 

 

IV.FY 17 Finance Committee Budget

Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)

 

Discussion:

 

  • $450 in expense budget
  • $200 for dues
  • $39 for supplies
  • No money in budget for Finance Committee Members to go to MMA
  • Chairman DeCosta encourages all members to go and would like the registration and fees budgeted for the MMA show in FY 17.
  • This year if members go, it will be necessary to transfer monies.
  • Ed McManus is a delegate and is going.
  • Larry Ballantine and Mark Ameres would like to go.
  • Dana DeCosta stated that he will e-mail information to members, and if they fill out an application to go, he will transfer funds to cover costs for probably three people.

 

Motion made by Larry Ballantine to include MMA costs for Finance Committee Members in the preparation of next year’s budget.  Seconded by Noreen Donahue.

Voting: 6 Yes, 0 No.

 

V.Review and Assign Liaisons

 

Chairman DeCosta handed out a draft of Finance Committee Liaisons for FY2016

 

The following revisions were made:

 

Library                                                                                                Mark Ameres

Community Services Dept. (replaces Community Dev. Dept.)          Ed McManus

Permitting (replaces Recreation & Youth)                                          Jack Brown

Police (added)                                                                                     Dana DeCosta

 

Motion made by Rich Larios to appoint Dana DeCosta to the Capital Outlay Committee.  Seconded by Larry Ballantine.

Voting: 6 Yes, 0 No. 

 

Motion made by Larry Ballantine to accept the revised list of Finance Committee Liaisons.  Seconded by Noreen Donahue.

Voting: 6 Yes, 0 No

 

Chairman DeCosta will provide a complete updated List of Liaisons at the next meeting.

 

VI.BOS Budget Message

 

Copy of a Letter to Chris Clark from the BOS dated October 5, 2015 (copy attached to Minutes) was handed out to Finance Committee Members.  The letter referred to balancing the budget without use of transfer funds.

 

VII.TA 5 Year Projection and Schools 5 Year Projection (Copies attached to Minutes)

 

Discussion of Handouts and Schools in particular.  Noreen Donahue said she would like the Finance Committee deal with the School Committee.   Rich Larios said he would like the School Committee come to a Finance Committee Meeting (including Chatham and Harwich “Monomoy”).  Chairman DeCosta said he anticipates a discussion with Chatham Finance Committee Chairman.

 

 

VIII.New Business

 

  • Next Meeting – Get ideas (goals) from individual committees
  • Rich Larios would like to discuss impact of Fontaine and ambulance issues as well as manpower.
  • Noreen Donahue suggested changing e-mails to “town e-mail” for getting in touch with committee members.   Dana DeCosta will investigate options with the town (group such as Fin. Com.)
  • Next scheduled Meeting of November 19th to be changed to November 12th due to Jack Brown not being available.

 

Motion made by Larry Ballantine to change date of next Finance Committee Meeting to Thursday, November 12, 2015 at 6:00 PM, at the Community Center.  Seconded by Rich Larios.

Voting: 6 Yes, 0 No.

 

IX.Adjourn

 

Motion made by Rich Larios to adjourn at 7:30 PM.  Seconded by Noreen Donahue.  All in Favor.

 

 

Minutes transcribed by Marie Hickey, Board Secretary