Board of Selectmen’s Meeting
October 13, 2009
Chairman Bergstrom called the meeting to order with Mr. Sussman, Ms. Seldin and Town Manager Mr. Hinchey present.
Mr. Sussman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of the September 8, 2009 Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Ms. Seldin seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.
Mr. Sussman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of the September 22, 2009 Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Ms. Seldin seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.
Public Forum
1. Mr. Richard Shupe presented a petition signed by two hundred and forty people urging the Board of Selectmen to continue the operation of the golf course in the current configuration and other conditions they wish the Board of Selectmen to consider before signing a contract for the future operation of the Seaside Links golf course.
2. Mr. Robert Bowden, Mr. Earle Lewis and Mr. Frank Facchetti told the Board of Selectmen the boaters, voters, and taxpayers have raised $22,000 dollars or 90% of the estimated costs for permits necessary to perform dredging of the Morris Island Cut as voted at the July 7, 2009 Board of Selectmen’s meeting.
3. Mr. Dean Ervin, Chairman of the South Coastal Harbor Plan Committee, announced the Committee will be holding a meeting October 15th at 7:00PM at the Community Center to hear public comment on the draft Plan and encouraged the public to attend.
4. Ms. Darci Sequin encouraged the public to attend the West Chatham Village and Business Association meeting at the Eldredge Public Library on October 15th at 7:00PM. There will be a panel of speakers to discuss the West Chatham corridor.
Committee Update - Waterways Advisory Committee
Mr. Ed Conway, Chairman of the Waterways Advisory Committee, attended this meeting. Mr. Conway reviewed some of the projects the Committee has worked on the past year including the new break, Cockle Cove Beach erosion, haul outs at Ryder’s Cove and the Fish Pier dock.
The Committee voted to ask the Harbormaster to consider an extension of the grace period for the mooring renewals since the date for renewals had past and some mooring holders were unaware of the change.
The Committee discussed a “no discharge” zone for Pleasant Bay and voted to have the Town include the Morris Island cut in the next round of dredging permits.
The Committee will continue to discuss expansion of the Ryder’s Cove dock.
The Board thanked Mr. Conway for his report.
Chatham Garden Club Request for Signs on Town Property
Ms. Alice Duthie asked the Board of Selectmen to allow the Garden Club to place directional signs on Town property for the Christmas Festival at the Atwood House. Mr. Sussman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to grant this request. Ms. Seldin seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor. Mr. Bergstrom noted the sign requested for the Rotary needs to be placed in the triangle behind the Rotary. Mr. Bergstrom commended the Garden Club for the upkeep and plantings in the smaller islands around Town.
Traffic Study Committee Hearing “No Parking” Signs
Mr. Bergstrom read the legal notice that was duly published for this date.
Captain John Cauble attended this meeting representing the Traffic Study Committee. Captain Cauble said the Committee viewed several areas and in an effort to enhance public safety recommend the Board of Selectmen vote the following:
Ms. Seldin moved the Board of Selectmen vote “NO PARKING” signs (No Parking Either Side to Corner) be posted along the south side of Champlain Road from Stage Harbor Road for a distance of approximately 40 feet next to existing cement posts. Mr. Sussman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.
Mr. Sussman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to post “NO PARKING” signs (No Parking This Side) on the east side of School Street from Main Street to point across from Sunset Lane. Ms. Seldin seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.
Ms. Seldin moved the Board of Selectmen vote to post “NO PARKING” sign (No Parking to Corner) on west side of School Street, 25 feet north/back from the intersection at Eliphamet Lane. Mr. Sussman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.
Mr. Sussman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to post “NO PARKING” signs (No Parking This Side) on east side of School Street from the intersection of Hallet Lane to fire hydrant 40 feet north of Hallet Lane. Ms. Seldin seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.
Ms Seldin moved the Board of Selectmen vote to post “NO PARKING” signs (No Parking to Corner) on School Street at Sunset Lane, 25 feet north and 25 feet south of intersection.
Mr. Fairbanks, from the neighborhood, did not feel the 25 feet was enough at this intersection. Mr. Cauble said the Traffic Study Committee will consider the comments and view the area again. Mr. Sussman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.
Mr. Sussman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to post “NO PARKING” signs (Two (2) No Parking Between Signs) at point 20 feet west of Crosswalk and point 20 feet east of Crosswalk on Depot Road at School/Playground Crosswalk. Ms. Seldin seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.
Speed Limit Discussion
Police Chief Mark Pawlina attended this meeting at the Board’s request to describe the process for changing speed limits on Town roads.
Chief Pawlina said he reviewed Chapter 90, Section 18 of the Mass General Laws and the first step is to have an engineering study. This would be paid for by the Town. He said there are many factors that are considered including the surface, access points, accident history, volume, traffic control devices, sight distances, and compliance with current speed limits. The study would have to go to Mass Highway, the Registry of Motor Vehicles and then be adopted by the Town.
In some cases the speed could be increased based on the information collected.
Mr. Bergstrom suggested the Cape Cod Commission has assisted in traffic studies with the Cape towns.
Chief Pawlina said he has not received specific requests for a change in speed limit except for Seapine Road. After some further discussion, DPW Director Jeff Colby suggested the Town could place an advisory speed on a sign indicating a curve in the road on Seapine. The Board of Selectmen agreed this would be sufficient in improving safety on this road.
FY11 Fiscal Wrap-up/Directives
Mr. Hinchey presented the following memo:
At the beginning of this past summer, the Board of Selectmen began a more intensive review of the upcoming budget than they had ever taken before due to the existing condition of our local and national economy. During the course of the summer and early fall, the Board of Selectmen with the assistance of Town staff have reviewed certain cost centers within our annual Town spending in order to better understand the services provided and expenditures required for those cost centers.
Routinely each year as required by Charter, the Town Manager, with the Finance Director and department managers assembles an annual budget for the Board of Selectmen which incorporates the Town’s service needs for the upcoming fiscal year. This process normally begins in September and culminates in a budget for the Board of Selectmen’s consideration by the first of January. The Board of Selectmen, therefore, must immediately provide its budget directives, incorporating the budget perspectives gained over the course of the summer and fall.
In an effort to better enable the Board of Selectmen to give said directives, this memo will herein reiterate the fiscal perspective for FY11 and thereafter pose a series of questions to the Board, which if answered, will provide sufficient direction to the Town Manager to take the next step in the FY11 budget planning process.
FY11 Fiscal Planning Perspective
Available Revenue
2 ½ 540,000
New Growth 200,000
Total 740,000
Distribution Formula
Town 64% 473,600
School 36% 266,400
Total 740,000
Needs/Salary Freeze
Town Allowable 459,000 School Allowable 281,000
Health Insurance 250,000 Health Insurance 190,000
Pension 160,000 Pension 25,000
Salaries --325,000-- School Choice Asmt. 60,000
Total --735,000-- Salaries -- 400,000--
Total --675,000--
Total 410,000 Total 275,000
Ms. Seldin noted the School salary schedules had been modified and so they do not actually consider the changes cost of living increases. She had concerns that because of the structure of the School increases, there could not be equity in asking the School to reduce a “COLA” increase. Finance Director Jennifer Petit said there was clear separation between the salary schedule increases and other increases in the budget.
FY11 Directive Questions
The fiscal perspective information above demonstrates quite clearly that the FY11 budget challenge, unlike that in neighboring communities, can by summarily met by freezing wages. However, that is only one of many ways the Board may wish to give direction for the upcoming fiscal year. Answering the following questions may make the Board’s fiscal directive for FY11 clearer.
- Does the Board wish to offer 0% COLA for FY11?
It was the consensus of the Board of Selectmen not to offer the non-union employees a cost of living increase for FY11.
- Does the Board wish to, therefore, begin the process to rescind its contractual 3% COLA adjustment for the Fire Union membership for FY11?
- Does the Board wish to request of the School Committee to do likewise, thereby making a COLA “freeze” universal for all employees?
The Town Manager will request the School Department and Fire Union to open their respective contracts for further negotiation.
- Does the Board wish to freeze steps as well? Once again, for all employees including Fire and School?
Mr. Hinchey said he felt the budget could absorb the $125,000 in step increases. At this time the Board of Selectmen did not choose to freeze step raises. Mr. Bergstrom said if the deficit could be eliminated, he would not vote to freeze step raises.
- Does the Board wish to give any specific budget directives for cost centers reviewed this summer? Should some be explored for future fiscal years?
Ms. Seldin suggested holding on equipment purchases. She also said the conferences and travel expenses should be looked at very carefully – allowing only what is necessary.
Mr. Sussman said consideration of a reorganization of the Community Center staff should be looked at more closely to see if all of the coordinators are necessary and if there could there be more efficient use staff
Further discussion included looking at ways to cut seasonal employee costs. Also, to look at full time employees whose functions may only be necessary on a seasonal basis.
Regarding the dispatch, Mr. Hinchey told the Board of Selectmen the subject of dispatch needed much more consideration and evaluation and the status quo would remain for FY11.
- Does the Board wish to reduce the budget even more so, so as to not allow even 2 ½ growth allowed by law?
Note: As shown in the perspective charts, this could mean a reduction from FY10 spending anywhere from $620,000 to $1,200,000 depending upon the wage decisions above and FY11 School spending. Such a reduction, would, of course, require layoffs.
The Board members agreed to allow a 2 ½% increase in the Town budget.
- If the Town, through whatever mechanism keeps within its “formula distribution” (see attached) and the School chooses not to do so, should the resultant tax impact be funded by an override for the Schools, or offset by Town side cuts.
Ms. Seldin said she did not object to the School Department seeking an override. There was no objection from Mr. Bergstrom or Mr. Sussman.
Note: In FY10 School side spending did not result in an override due to deeper Town side cuts as demonstrated in the FY10 fiscal increases shown below.
FY10 Town Increases -0.50%
FY10 School Increases 6.99%
FY10 Insurance Increases 3.75%
FY10 Overall Increase 2.21%
- Does the Town wish to propose for adoption any revenue enhancement?
Note: Thus far the questions have been aimed at balancing the operating budget. The five year capital plan is funded annually by estimated receipts which due to the economy and tighter budgeting have declined. For example, in FY11 early projections indicate that less than $1M will be available for a budget which should be fully funded at a level of $1.5-2.0M annually. Increased revenue from meals taxes or hotel/motel taxes could be used to bolster this budget or could be used so that future wage increases could be afforded without a tax impact.
Estimated Annual Revenue Potential
Meals Tax Expansion $375,000
Hotel/Motel Tax 500,000
The Board agreed the Town should begin discussions and public hearings on the newest local option taxes as well as taxes to rental properties.
Mooring fee increases will also need further discussion.
- Should other budget reductions be considered such as the abolition of the CPA?
Note: CPA elimination would reduce a tax bill by 3% although no budget reduction would result.
Elimination of the Community Preservation Act will be the subject of discussion on an upcoming agenda.
- Should any large capital article be brought forward for funding in FY11?
Note: The Fire Department headquarters replacement is scheduled for FY11 on the Capital Facility Plan. The CPRC has just begun its assessment with staff. A question arose at the last meeting: if the recommendation by the CPRC is ready in time for the Annual Town Meeting warrant, shall we proceed with a funding request this year?
Mr. Sussman noted the Town has already begun the Wastewater expansion. Ms. Seldin suggested the Fire Station could be deferred for one year depending on the fiscal impact and the recommendation of the CPRC. Mr. Sussman feels the Fire Department Project should go forward.
Mr. Bergstrom noted most of the items in Mr. Whitcomb’s memo (submitted earlier) had been addressed.
The meeting adjourned at 7:00PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Ramona M. McDonald
Recording Clerk
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