HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-10-10-AC-min
Appropriation Committee Meeting
Thursday, October 10, 2002-7:45 pm-Police Guard Room
Present: D Brown, P Hamburger, R Pawliczek, E Michelson, S Spector, R
Eurich, K Dooks, A Levine, A Nedzel, J Ryan
Also Present: W Hadley, S Stolz
* PAYT refund issue discussion.
* P Hamburger indicated that the TMMA felt that if there were
to be a refund then there should be an appropriation by Town Meeting for
that purpose.
* MOTION: The Appropriation Committee is not in favor of
issuing refunds for the PAYT program. Approved by a majority (5-4). Those
voting in favor of the motion were A Levine, D Brown, P Hamburger, R Eurich,
and K Dooks.
* General discussion of what should be subject to a refund if
the BOS were to implement such a policy.
* MOTION: Appropriation Committee recommends that if the BOS
were to implement a refund policy for PAYT the citizens who purchased a
barrel label for the period January to June 2001 should receive a refund
equal to ½ of the cost of the six-month barrel label cost. All citizens who
present for redemption unused bag stickers will be refunded the face value
of the stickers presented. There should also be a specific time period in
which all citizens can make application for a refund, both barrel label and
tags. No refunds will be made unless requested. Majority in favor (7-2).
* General discussion of the need for an appropriation for this
purpose if the BOS were to approve a refund policy.
* MOTION: The Appropriation Committee recommends that the BOS
call for a Special Town Meeting as soon as possible in order to appropriate
funds for this purpose. Unanimous.
* P Hamburger discussed what took place at the TMMA Executive
Board meeting on October 9, 2002. They want to wait and see what position
the AC takes on the PAYT issue. The idea of seeking legislation that would
exempt health care costs from Proposition 2 ½ was discussed. Nothing has
been proposed or filed at this date.
* Discussion of the Early Retirement Incentive legislation.
Information from Buck Consultants was presented and discussed. The 15
employees who have the most creditable service are currently earning
approximately $700,000. If the Town were to accept the legislation, Buck has
determined that there would be an added cost to the Retirement Board of
approximately $300,00 per year for seven years. If not positions were filled
there would be a savings of $400,000 per year. That savings would be reduced
by the amount of each position that in fact did get filled. With the looming
issue in 2004 it was felt that this is an opportunity to attempt to reduce
staff without layoffs.
* MOTION: The Appropriation Committee will recommend that the
BOS adopt the Early Retirement Incentive legislation, granting the five-year
option to add to age and or creditable service. Majority approved (7-1).
* Solid waste seems to be on target this year.
* The landfill closure will be an agenda item at the ATM and
is projected to cost between $350,000 and $500,000.
* The Electric Utility Ad-Hoc Committee will seek $150,000 to
study municiplaization.
* AC notified that "free cash" has been certified at
$2,135,507.
* Liberty Ride update. Currently running at a deficit of
$17,600.
* MOTION to adjourn