Finance Committee Minutes

Wellfleet Finance Committee

Minutes of Meeting of November 19, 2014

Senior Center, 7:00 p.m.

Present: Stephen Polowczyk, Chair; Sam Bradford, Janet Loewenstein, Linda Pellegrino, Sylvia Smith, Liz Sorrell, Ira Wood

Regrets: Thomas Reinhart, Robert Wallace

Chair Stephen Polowczyk called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Police Facility Presentation 

Police Chief Ron Fisette was present to discuss the conceptual plans for a new Police Facility.  He said he had material available besides the PowerPoint slide show and print out if anyone wanted to study it further.  Chief Fisette explained renovation plans and decisions for the finished floor plan.  He said there would be a Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) hired to oversee construction.  He discussed the timeframe that included an approval of an architect design at the next Town Meeting.  Finance Committee members discussed cost saving measures by moving ahead as fast as possible and energy efficient features.  Liz Sorrell suggested using pre-packaged bidding which the OPM could help the Town prepare. 

Loewenstein moved to send memo of support including a message of urgency to the Board of Selectmen.  Smith seconded, and the motion carried 7-0. 

Pre-School Program

Liz Sorrell commented on the difficulty of a Town managing a program that is not part of the school.   The goal, as it is understood, is to create a voucher program that allows a choice of pre-schools.  The Wellfleet Elementary Pre-School through Nauset Regional is only available to a limited number of students, mainly Special Needs.  Sam Bradford said the Truro Elementary School has a free half day pre-school for all children with the option to pay for the rest of the day.  Liz Sorrell said she would speak to the Selectmen and the School Committee about pre-school options for Wellfleet children. 

Liaison Reports

Finance Committee liaisons had planned to attend a number of Budget discussions between department heads, the Town Administrator and the Town Accountant.  Fire Department has been rescheduled, Janet Lowenstein said.  Linda Pellegrino said that DPW Budget had decreased a little.  The Town has been saving on the new street light fixtures, she reported.  There was also discussion of building a new Swap Shop at the Transfer Station, she said.  Sam Bradford said the Marina was level funded although there was a loss of revenue because of the need for dredging the Harbor.  Liz Sorrell reported that Wellfleet Elementary School has maintained its Level 1 status.  The School Budget will be submitted in 2015, she said.  Sylvia Smith said the Police Budget was kept in line.  Steve Polowczyk reported progress on the Personnel Board manual.  Sam Bradford will attend the Water Commissioner Budget meeting. 

Review of Route 6 Safety Study

FinCom members are following the Route 6 Safety Study. 

Budget Policy

Finance Committee had received the Budget Policy and discussed reactivation of the Charter Review Board and the Charter change necessary to move the due date for the Capital Improvement Plan from June to fall.

Minutes of 10/22/14

Lowenstein moved to approve the minutes of October 22, 2014.  Smith seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

Agenda for Next Meeting

Agenda for the December 16, 2014 joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen will address the major Department Budgets.

Adjournment

Loewenstein moved to adjourn. Polowczyk seconded.  The motion carried 7-0. 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

__________________________                          __________________________

Mary Rogers, Committee Secretary                      Stephen Polowczyk, Chair

Finance Committee approved these minutes at the meeting held 1/21/15.