Finance Committee Minutes
Wellfleet Finance Committee
March 21, 2018 7:00PM
Wellfleet Senior Center, 715 Old Kings Hwy
Present: Chair, Janet Loewenstein; Ira Wood; Vice Chair, Fred Magee; Kathy Granlund; Stephen Polowczyk, Jeff Tash
Absent: Linda Pellegrino; Robert Wallace
Others Present: Town Administrator, Dan Hoort, Justina Carlson, Curt Felix, Alex Hay
Chair Loewenstein called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
Transfers-No transfers to note.
Discussion-Water Resource Director
The Committee discussed the Annual Town Meeting article which requests $150,000 for salary, benefits and office space for a new Water Resources Director position. The Committee members received a proposed job description for the position. Carlson, Felix and Hay responded to Committee questions. The Comprehensive Wastewater Management Planning Committee (CWMPC) is in the final stages of the Wastewater Management Plan. A staff position is needed to administer and monitor the plan.
The Cape Cod Commission and the Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) set the deadline for the plan. The CWMPC is currently waiting to hear comments back from the DEP.
Nitrates and salt water are contaminating private wells in Wellfleet, the Town needs a professional staff person to monitor the situation. The alternative is to provide town-wide water and a town-wide sewer system which the Town is trying to avoid due to prohibitive costs.
Annual Town Meeting Warrant-
The Committee reviewed the Capital Improvement Budget which totals $670,267, not including debt service plus the approximate $1.6M for the White Crest Beach parking lot expansion.
- Polowczyk moved, Magee 2nd to recommend article 3 – Capital Improvements. Motion passed 6-0
- Polowczyk moved, Granlund 2nd to recommend article 1 – FY 2019 Operating Budget. Motion passed 6-0
- Polowczyk moved, Magee 2nd to recommend article 2 – Budget Transfers. Motion passed 6-0
- Committee reserved recommendation on articles 6 & 7, police union contract funding.
- Polowczyk moved, Magee 2nd to recommend article 8 – Non-union and other personnel salaries and compensation. Motion passed 6-0
- Polowczyk moved, Granlund 2nd to recommend article 9 – Chapter 90 Funds. Motion passed 6-0
- Magee moved, Polowczyk 2nd to recommend article 10 – OPEB Contribution. Motion passed 6-0
- Magee moved, Polowczyk 2nd to recommend article 11 – Marina Enterprise Stabilization Fund. Motion passed 6-0
- Polowczyk moved, Granlund 2nd to recommend article 12 – Stabilization Fund Transfer. Motion passed 6-0
- Polowczyk moved, Magee 2nd to recommend article 13 – Create Capital Improvements Stabilization Fund. Motion passed 6-0
- Polowczyk moved, Magee 2nd to recommend article 14 – Create Maintenance Dredging Capital Improvements Stabilization Fund. Motion passed 6-0
- Polowczyk moved, Magee 2nd to recommend article 15 – Transfer to LCCATV Fund. Motion passed 6-0
- Magee moved, Polowczyk 2nd to recommend articles 16 through 24 – Community Preservation Articles. Motion passed 6-0
- Wood moved, Magee 2nd to recommend article 25 – Renovation of old COA building. Motion passed 6-0
- Wood moved, Polowczyk 2nd to NOT recommend article 26 – Petitioned article requesting ole COA building be used only for housing. Motion to NOT recommend passed 6-0
- Committee unanimously consented to reserve recommendation on article 27 – White Crest Beach parking lot expansion
- Magee moved, Tash 2nd to recommend article 28 – Increase marijuana sales tax. Motion passed 6-0
- Wood moved, Magee 2nd to recommend article 29 – Water Resources Director. Motion passed 6-0
- Wood moved, Polowczyk 2nd to recommend article 30 – Increase Selectmen Stipend. Motion passed 6-0
- Wood moved, Polowczyk 2nd to recommend article 54 – Room Occupancy Tax. Motion passed 6-0
- Polowczyk moved, Wood 2nd to approve minutes from January 24th and February 14th. Motion passed 6-0
Committee Liaison Assignments
The Committee discussed liaison assignments for the upcoming year. Tash accepted role as liaison to Police Department. Polowczyk accepted role as liaison to Human Services.
Polowczyk encourage volunteers for Personnel Board.
Loewenstein reminded members that the Committee would have officer election and liaison assignments on the agenda after Town meeting.
Magee updated the Committee on the Strategic Plan and Wellfleet Harbor dredging.
Correspondence: Tabled to a future discussion
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:01 pm.
Public Record: Draft: Annual Town Meeting & Annual Town Warrant