Minutes
Finance Committee
715 Old King’s Hwy, Conference Room
7:00 PM Wednesday March 27, 2019
Meeting Minutes
Members Present: Janet Loewenstein, Chair; Kathy Granlund, Linda Pellegrino, Stephen Polowczyk, Robert Wallace, Ira Wood, Jeff Tash
Members Absent: Fred Magee
Others Present: Dan Hoort, Town Administrator; Helen Miranda Wilson, Select Board Member; Nancy Civetta, Shell Fish Warden; Rebekah Eldridge, Committee Secretary
Chair called the meeting to order 7:03PM
Mike Flanagan - Harbormaster
- Fuel Tank Estimates – Article 23 on Warrant
Chair Loewenstein began discussing with Flanagan the accurate estimates for new fuel tanks, he explained concrete slabs were more than originally expected. Disposing of the tanks will be a large sum of money as well. Discussion of where the new tanks would be placed. 3 Kendrick Ave was discussed and not a viable place, so the location where the current tanks are will be used for the new tank location. Discussion about having the gas tanks there will save the town money allowing the town vehicles (police, fire, etc.) to fill up at the harbor verses going to another town makes sense. Questions were asked if sand could fill in where the old underground tanks are being held, Flanagan explained that tanks had to be removed to make sure there has been no leaking. They will have to be disposed of at an off-cape location. The board discussed with the removal of the tanks is there a liability for the town. Flanagan explained that the engineer that removes the tanks will make sure the site is safe and secured.
Hoort expressed to the group that the insurance company for the town will insure the town for another year knowing that the town is moving forward with new tanks.
Polowczyk moved to recommend Article 23 Pellegrino seconded
Passed 7-0-0
- Harbor Dredging – Article 12 on the final warrant
The chair asked Flanagan about details on dredging. What is the is the process once everything is settled with the grant. Flanagan expressed that within a year the dredging should begin. Tash asked if there was anything the town could do proactively so that this doesn’t happen. Hoort explained that the county is looking into purchasing a dredge that would work for Wellfleet, he wasn’t sure how fast. Discussion about dredging took place and how to keep the harbor from getting this bad again. Discussion about what the plan could be. Flanagan explained the town would have to prove there is need for dredging, surveying would have to take place before dredge plans could be made up. Wallace asked if the county would dredge around the breakwater, the sand that comes from Indian Neck and put it back where it came from. Flanagan said the town could ask and believes they might because Wellfleet is so tidal; using pipes to pump it back. Flanagan said it has been in his capital plan for years. The board thanked Flanagan for his time.
Moved to recommend Article 12 for dredging the harbor
Moved: Polowczyk Seconded: Wood Passed: 7-0-0
Granlund asked if this would be another problem in fifteen years. Hoort explained that if the town continues to do maintenance there won’t be a need for such a big project.
New ATM Warrant Articles
- Purchase of Map 34 Lot 17 from HDYLTA Trust – Article 13
Hoort explained the Select Board is withholding recommendation for this article until town meeting. Chair asked Wallace if there was anything he would like to add. He expressed he had heard there was an anonymous donor who would be donating a million dollars for the purchase of this property. Hoort confirmed that. He explained to the board that his suggestion would be to separate the land that can be used for shell fishing and the land that can’t be used could be donated. He suggested the Conservation Commission. The board expressed on how fast this article came up and presented to the town, expressing it was a lot of money for the town to pay. Granlund asked why this is suddenly so important. Dan explained this wasn’t brought to his attention until two weeks prior. His understanding for the sense of urgency is the people who own the trust has now decided they want to sell this property, they have sold some to shell fishermen who are buying the land that they work. The idea behind why the town should own this property is that the harbor and everything in it should be owned by the municipality. They don’t want a situation where a cooperation or large group buys the large trust and tosses off shell fishermen off the land or charge rent to use the land. By the town owning the land they can control what happens to the land. He explained it is the fear of the unknown, if the town doesn’t purchase it who will and what could happen to that land if they don’t. The board talked about what the land is assessed at. Hoort told the board it is assessed at $220,000 he said the assessor based this on comparable sales. The tax payers tax bill will increase if this land is purchased. Wallace expressed he doesn’t want to town to operate under fear. Hoort explained right now he would like to see the 3.4 million dollar asking price for this land come down. He does have a commitment from someone who is willing to give a large gift, he then wants to look to see if there are parts of the land that will never be used so he can move forward and get an open space grant from the state allowing the town to do that. Wood asked if it was a debt exclusion, Hoort said yes it would be an extra $79.28 for a median single-family home over the course of twenty years and the interest cost would go down as the town pays off the principle. Hoort told the board the on April 10th the Wellfleet community forum will hold a public forum at the Wellfleet Public Library to discuss this topic only.
Moved to reserve recommendation for Article 13 to town meeting pending a written opinion from town counsel.
Motion: Polowczyk Seconded: Wood Passed: 7-0-0
Miranda Wilson expressed to the board if they have any questions about this matter to please get in contact with her or Nancy Civetta with any questions or concerns. They have helpful information. Civetta will send a memo to Eldridge to be dispersed to the Board with helpful information, she expressed to the board that she supports the purchase of this land.
ATM Warrant Articles
- New Information (if any) from Town Administrator
- Article 2 – Transfers
Hoort told the board he expects to be under the total for the year.
Moved to recommend Article 2 - Transfers
Motion: Polowczyk Seconded: Granlund Passed 7-0-0
Moved to recommend Article 9 – Additional Funding for Collective Bargaining
Motion: Polowczyk Second: Pellegrino Passed 7-0-0
Articles 14 & 15 – Additional Fire Department Positions
Motion: Polowczyk Second: Pellegrino Passed: 7-0-0
Moved to recommend Article 17 – Scholarship for Firefighter
Motion: Polowczyk Second: Wood Passed: 7-0-0
New wording for this article was discussed with Hoort. The need for a consultant to help the Water Commissioners figure out their financial model right now and don’t have the extra funds to do that. Abstaining from this vote was discussed.
Move to recommend Article 36 – Municipal Water System and Wastewater Funding
Motion: Loewenstein Second: Pellegrino Passed: 5-2-0
Minutes
- Chair asked that all the minutes with warrant articles be checked and updated to current warrant articles.
- March 6, 2019 – Granlund moved to approve minutes Pellegrino seconded
Passed 7-0-0
Strategic Planning
Discussion about what the report will look like. Chair will work with Magee on the wording. The board agreed there is a benefit to a report. Maybe changing the wording to “Anticipated financial needs”.
Liaison Reports
None
Agenda Items for Upcoming Meeting(s) and Other Concerns
Meeting before Town Meeting will be in the Library at the elementary school at 6PM.
The Chair reminded the board that a reorganization of the board will need to take place at the May meeting.
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:35PM
Moved: Polowczyk Seconded: Wood Passed: 7-0-0