Finance Committee Minutes
Wellfleet Finance Committee
Minutes of Meeting of April 20, 2016
Council on Aging, 7:00 PM
Members Present: Sam Bradford, Kathy Granlund, Arlene Kirsch, Janet Loewenstein, Fred Magee, Linda Pellegrino, Stephen Polowczyk, Chair,
Members Absent: Robert Wallace, Ira Wood, Liz Sorrell
Also Attending: Administrator Harry Terkanian, County Commissioner Sheila Lyons
Chair Polowczyk called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
County Government and Wellfleet's Contribution
At the invitation of the Finance Committee, County Commissioner Shelia Lyons was present to discuss County Government. She reviewed the structure, consisting of the three Commissioners, the Assembly of Delegates and the many departments, including the Cape Cod Commission. She explained their connections to town issues such as Proposition 2 ½, energy, water, wastewater and other issues that transcend town boundaries. Town Administrator Harry Terkanian expanded on many of the shared procurement items for utilities, transportation. County Government works at consensus with the Cape towns and stays transparent in their work, she stated. They offer a voice to advocate for the region. Their money comes from town assessments and registry fees and other grants. Ms. Lyons suggested that Finance Committee contact the Commission if they have a topic of concern that could use their expertise.
Minutes
Janet Loewenstein moved to approve the Finance Committee Minutes of 3/23/16; Linda Pellegrino seconded; the motion passed 7-0.
Correspondence
Stephen Polowczyk reported on items in the correspondence file.
Review of 2016 Warrant Articles
Town Administrator Harry Terkanian said the budget had come in higher because of a recent bill. This can be absorbed by Free Cash, he said. He has process issues with an amendment the Cultural Council plans to make to increase their budget line from $2,000 to $4,000 at Town Meeting. Arlene Kirsch said she will address the process issue at Town Meeting.
Harry Terkanian said that Article 2 will need further adjusting because the “vacation buyback” line is going to change. These numbers will be ready for the Finance Committee meeting immediately before Town Meeting.
The Town Administrator did not have agreements yet with the Teamsters or the Wellfleet Employees’ Union. If either is settled by Monday, he will let the Committee know at their meeting before Town Meeting.
Harry Terkanian had submitted a request that Finance Committee revisit their vote on Article 51on energy net metering credits. He explained the scope of the proposal and included some Cape Light Compact comments on future pricing. Article 51 would give the Town Administrator and Board of Selectmen the authority to enter into an agreement without going back to Town Meeting, he said. Finance Committee, however, was hesitant to enter an up-to-30 year agreement and reluctant to do so with another Town Administrator. Harry Terkanian said that he chose this time to present the idea while net metering is still an attractive offer to the Town, but he would not be able to put an agreement together before he retires in June.
Sam Bradford moved to rescind their vote to not recommend Article 51.
Janet Loewenstein seconded, and the motion failed 3-4.
Article 26 and Other Articles
There was some further discussion of Article 26 on dredging, but the Finance Committee recommendation was firm. The Committee also noted their recommendations that diverged from the Selectmen’s and their negative recommendation for the fireworks Article.
Financial Advisory Services Under Consideration by Town Treasurer
The Town Treasurer had provided some information on possible Financial Advisory Services which will be needed now that the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank will no longer be providing this service.
Agenda for April 25, 2016
Items for the April 25, 2016 meeting immediately before Town Meeting will include recommendations for Articles 1 and 2 with the new amounts and Articles 7, 8 if the contracts are settled by then.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 PM.
Public Records of 4/20/16
2016 Wellfleet Town Warrant available at www.wellfleet-ma.gov
Memo from Harry Terkanian dated April 5, 2016
UniBank Fiscal Advisory Services Prospectus dated 3/30/16