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Finance Committee Meeting Minutes 6/14/22 - 7pm

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, June 14, 2022

JOINT FINANCE COMMITTEE & SELECT BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Meeting Date:  6/14/22

Finance Committee Members Present:   Michele Miller, Chair, and Frank Abbott

Finance Committee Members Absent:  Fitzpatrick

Select Board Members Present: Justin Makuc, Chair and Susan Cooper

Others present: Shawn Tryon

Also present remotely:

Meeting opened at: 7pm

JOINT MEETING:

AGENDA:

Discuss process for use of ARPA Funds. FC had recommendations. Rescue Vehicle and Ambulance Requests.

ARPA: Propose Form for Uniform Application Process and Consideration to be given once all applications are submitted.

JM:

Parks Commission: Playground: Refresh or Reconstruct. Spend a little 8-10K or spend a lot 80-100K. 3/29 submission. Waiting for results on Septic Tank Inspection. Is it in the Capital Plan?

Concerns about Condition of Town Hall: Submit List

Monterey Community Center: 20x40 Pavilion: $85 does not include site work: up to $100K.

Mary Makuc: Re: MCC pavilion 20x40 800sq ft. 8 vendors inquired. “Local” estimates 6 months to completion. $5900/yr for tent rental.

JM envisions a back and forth rather than concrete proposals. Putting things “out to bid”. Select Board will be asked to decide. Doesn’t think we need to nail things down. SC: Making a proposal can be overwhelming but a form can help applicants improve the proposal. Ask for #’s to support requests.

MM: Stresses the need for hard facts in order to evaluate. When do we get to allocate $276K +. Urges caution in decision making.

JM:

Fire Co: Rescue and 4-wheeler, but has withdrawn 4-wheeler. Fire Chief: “Willing to drop it”

5/18 submission from MCC:

SBA: 17,979 towards new ambulance. For a total of $250,000

REWG: Renewable Energy Working Group: for consultant.

5 submissions to date.

Will Town request ARPA funds for Town Hall? Submit List. Tryon: ½ roof replaced in 2017 for est. ($30K)

Furnace: Fire Hazard. Mini-Split serves as dehumidifier in basement. See attached. Grant for feasibility study by Town Administrator. The town has not been able to fund these.

 JM wonders if this is a time to use Stabilization Fund rather than ARPA funds. Prefers to do something for the “Community”.  Opposes use of ARPA for Town Hall.

MM: We are finding out that there are a number of worthy projects which must be considered.

FA: True the Capital Plan which is incomplete. Due diligence on Town Hall needs.

MM: Deliverables from Finance Committee for consideration by Select board.

JM: Summarized discussion on ARPA Process.

FA: Who is Project Manager when projects are approved? Tryon says “It gets dumped in his (Director of Operations) lap”.

Move on Immediate Requests: Discussion of Rescue Trade UP. Not on Capital Plan.

Regionalization is ahead for many small town fire companies.  Maintaining Fire Co. has to be a priority.

JM: 3 Police Vehicles: 2016 (1270) Gareth uses will go for Bridge training with defensive driving: “beat up old vehicle.” 2 are on the Capital Plan. 2019 to be replaced? New vehicles have a long lead time and additional costs.

Discussion of Schedule: Posting. Attempt 5pm Joint. 6/22 Agenda: Review Capital Plan and Financial Policy. Especially as regards Reserve Funds and Stabilization Funds.

Finance Committee Members plan to meet with Department Heads. Schedule site visits.

Finance Committee will resubmit suggestions for Select board Code of Conduct.

Finance Committee adjourned. Select board adjourned.