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Link Name:	Minutes	Description:	
Subject/Title:	January 26, 2004	Subtitle:	
Keywords:		Review on:	
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FINANCE COMMITTEE – TOWN OF STOCKBRIDGE


MINUTES OF A MEETING - January 26, 2004 at 7:00PM        


·	Merit Increase Proposals (by Selectmen) Mr. Irsfeld presented a proposal to grant merit salary increases of 6% to Chief Wilcox and Highway Supt. Schneyer. After discussion, the Committee decided to defer a decision until receipt of the peer review scheduled for late February and review of any additional merit proposals from the Selectmen.

·	Minutes of previous meeting  - December 1, 2003 – Accepted as amended (corrected spelling of  “Saturday”). Mr. Rousseau was requested to resume efforts to schedule on-site visits of the Committee with selected Depts. 

·	FY 2005 Budget Preparation Process – Review of Department presentations – Upon review of budget presentations, the Committee made the following recommendations:

1.	Accountant – deferred - queries – 1/ Can $2,500 for School Training be reduced in light of repeated failure to spend the budgeted amount? 2/ Please explain meaning of and justification for $1,000 Fixed Asset Expense

2.	Assessors – approved (also approved warrant article)

3.	Board of Health – approved

4.	Emergency Management – approved

5.	Fire – not approved  question on “purchase of replace” (approved warrant article)

6.	Gas Inspector – approved

7.	Information Technology – approved with one dissent and one abstention

8.	Library – not approved – recommend $87,000 - increase to be limited to 1/3 (approximate Town share of Library budget) of a 2 ½% salary increase – balance level funded in conformance with Town Budget guidelines.

9.	Parks – approved – (deferred on warrant article pending further clarification)

10.	Police – approved - (also approved warrant article)

11.	Plumbing Inspector – approved

12.	Sewer – approved with one dissent

13.	Water – approved - (also approved warrant article for water tower subject to review of final amount as budget is developed) (deferred action on radio water meters pending further discussion of need/staffing effect/cost benefit) 

14.	Treasurer - approved 

15.	The Committee requested Mr. Rousseau to research and report back the current composition of the Stabilization Fund with respect to amounts set aside or earmarked for future capital acquisitions

·	GASB 34 Status Report – Mr. Rousseau reported he has completed compilation of Town properties (except for infrastructure) and will meet with Dept. heads to confirm historical costs and age by item. Expects to complete in time for submission with Town Report.

·	Capital Projects Status Report – Mr. Rousseau distributed a revised version of Town Capital projects (existing and proposed), showing proposed sources of funding and annual budget impacts over next 8 years. Noted that 2005 budget impact of capital programs will increase by approximately $1,000,000 from current year.

·	Old Business - Sexual Harassment Policy Procedure – Mr. Rousseau distributed Town policy statement to those who had not received it and reminded all that they are required to sign the acknowledgement form and return it to the Town Secretary.

·	New Business – Mr. Blair raised the issue of severe delays in payment to Town police officers for road safety work done on behalf of contractors. He indicated that the present balance overdue is approximately $6,000. On his motion, the Committee resolved unanimously to 1/ recommend that the Police Dept. submit a request for an appropriation from the Reserve Fund of $6,000 to pay the delinquent amounts immediately; 2/ recommend that Town Counsel write a demand letter to the offending contractor with copy to the Turnpike Commission; and 3/ recommend that a warrant article be drafted to create a revolving fund in the Police Dept. budget to provide for timely payment to officers retained for such work with a further proviso to ensure that steps are taken to ensure prompt payment to the Town for all such work.

·	A reminder was given that the Committee will meet jointly with the Selectman for further Department budget reviews at 4:00PM on Friday, January 30 and February 6. 

·	Next meeting of the Finance Committee was scheduled for Monday, February 9 at 7:00PM.

·	Meeting Adjourned at 8:40 PM