Joint Finance Committee & Select Board Meeting Minutes 2/14/23
Joint meeting of the Select Board and the Finance Committee
Minutes of the meeting 2/14/23
Meeting Date: Tuesday February 14, 2023
Meeting Opened at 5:01 pm
Select Board members present: Susan Cooper, Scott Jenssen, Justin Makuc
Other individuals present: Mickey Jervis, Cheryl Zellman, Judy Kaminstein, Rebecca Wolin, John Higgins, Shawn Tryon, Frank Abbott, Michele Miller, Ilene Marcus
Other individuals present remotely: Melissa Noe, Ken Basler, Mary Makuc, Scott Steibel
Call to order at 5:01pm
Agenda items to be discussed:
MEET WITH FIRE CHIEF
Michele asked if anyone had specific questions for Fire Chief, Shawn Tryon. Susan asked about the decrease on the Med 9 budget request. Shawn said they were trying to be able to utilize that truck more. Shawn reported that the vehicle they were originally going to buy was unavailable; however, they were able to do some research and find a combination of two vehicles that would meet the need and might be less expensive. He discussed ongoing problems with diesel vehicles and repair, transitioning to a gas vehicle and options for a brush truck, and discussed options for the brush truck. Shawn reported that many individuals are building houses that are difficult for the Fire Department to access, so the Fire Department is working on strategies to ensure that they are able to access these houses. Justin inquired about the $375,000 figure, which Shawn reported was for a 550 pickup truck. Justin clarified that Shawn was inquiring about obtaining an SUV for a medical vehicle and another vehicle for a brush truck. Shawn said that hopefully they will have their pricing within the next few weeks to a month to determine the more feasible option. Michele inquired about deferred maintenance and how everything was balanced out. Shawn said he would be able to get that number to them. Melissa recommended that due to the wait time on obtaining new vehicles, the Fire Chief should keep his repairs listed in the budget until he is able to secure the new vehicles and have a time frame of when he can obtain those vehicles. Frank noted that the Fire Department only spent half of their estimated budget in the first six months, and Shawn explained that compensation numbers were down due to a loss of active fire fighters and resultant unfilled shifts.
Shawn said that at some point he would like to discuss Chief, Deputy Chief, and Captain’s salaries. Frank said that the Finance Committee could assist him with this area and recommended an open discussion. Scott inquired about whether the stabilization request for $30,000 was realistic and asked if it should be moved to approximately $50,000. Melissa said that they got rid of the stabilization department last year and combined it into the general stabilization account.
Justin reported that the Select Board discussed the stabilization fund and came to a general consensus of approximately $1,000,000 as a goal. Michele recommended putting this on the agenda for next week.
Susan said that she will be talking with the Southern Berkshire Ambulance Service and representatives from the other towns served by SBAS next week.
Unanticipated Topics
John Higgins, Chair of the Library Board of Directors, announced that the Library will be having an open house this Saturday. John said that their objective is to clarify their budget and he wanted to ensure that this will be what will appear on the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. Micky discussed a letter from the Library Board of Trustees regarding a request to add sick time into the budget, and to make the library Director position a salaried position. Melissa asked whether the sick pay policy will be amended for other part- time employees. Melissa reported that this would add approximately another $7,000 to the budget to include sick pay for all part-time employees. Melissa reported that they had a policy where they were paying individual’s sick time for COVID related illness.
Justin recused himself from the part time employee compensation discussion due to family being part time town employees.
The Finance Committee said that they are supportive of what the Library Board of Trustees has requested and will continue to look at the budget for the Library. Ilene reported that everything will be completed by March 14th, and the Finance Committee will look into the requests made by the library to determine if they are able to give sick time to all employees. Susan clarified how working on the budget entails gathering more information and conducting additional research in order to be able to make an informed decision.
Susan inquired about the Tree Warden expenses and reported that there are multiple ash trees that will need to come down. Justin recommended working on more of an incremental increase for the tree removal. Justin said that tree warden identifies areas where trees need to be removed and John Field will remove the marked trees.
Justin said that they need to figure out the two positions Office Assistant and the Planning Board clerk and discussed the need for an analysis for Select Board Secretary wages due the figure having been more of an estimated salary. Justin also mentioned that they are trying to hire a Town Clerk for which they are offering $35 per hour for 10 hours per week for the position if the individual is a qualified, certified candidate. The Select Board and Finance Committee also discussed the position of the beach monitor and the funding for this position. Several remaining salaries and budgetary items that still required discussion included: HR Director, debt payment for the two loans, lifeguard payroll, lawn maintenance, town counselor litigator and expenses, health insurance, fire department equipment and maintenance, reserve fund, Southern Berkshire Ambulance, Assessors expenses for 5 years reevaluation, and the Parks Commission general account. The Finance Committee is waiting to hear from the Police Department, DPW, Parks, fuel rates, use of Chapter 90 funds, and Town Hall.
Michele said that there are 2 more meetings and two more joint meetings until the end of the month. Frank recommended they have a discussion pertaining to what they want to spend on Capital. Ilene suggested looking at other options for decreasing expenses and increasing revenue.
Michele made a motion to adjourn the finance committee at 6:13pm. Frank seconded
Call a vote: Ilene- yes, Frank- yes, Michele- yes
Justin voted yes to adjourn the Select Board meeting; Scott voted yes.