1983/01/13Board of Finance
Meeting of January 11, 1983
Recreational Services. Mr. Clinton stated that the baseball games which are held at Sage Park
cost about $20/night for electricity. (See Minutes of January 8, 1983, page 4.)
The meeting was adjourned at 10:O6 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Alexandra D. Dempsey
Secretary
Members Present:
Others Present:
MINUTES
BOARD OF FINANCE
Regular Meeting
January 13, 1983
Joseph A. Bernardi, Blanche J. Delaney, Dr. John P. Mclntosh, Angelo J. Tiezzi, i
Kenneth L. MacKenzie, Steven Vandrilla
Gary S. Clinton, Finance Director; Deborah Matta, Chairman, Youth Services
Advisory Board; Florence Barrell, Director, Commission for the Aging; Joseph
Murphy, Chairman, Commission for the Aging; Charles C. Davis, Social Services
Director
The meeting was called to order at 8:16 P.M. by Chairman Bernardi.
MINUTES
Motion was made by Mrs. Delaney, seconded by Mr. Tiezzl, and VOTED to approve the Minutes of
January ll, 1983.
OTHER BUSINESS
BUDGETS 1983/84
Commission for the Aging. Mrs. Barrel1 and Mr. Murphy appeared to pre~ent this budget.
Dr. Mclntosh commented that Account #2501, Senior Director, was not the r~ght amount of increase
for part-time personnel. Mr. Clinton stated that this should be $9,878.00, Mrs. Barrell stated
that she had not seen this budget, as accepted by the Execotive Board, until just prior to this
meeting.
Discussion turned to Account #2507, Transportation. Mrs. Barrell stated that $500.00 was reimbursed
from Chevrolet as a result of the breakdown which incurred last year. She stated that approximately
S160-175/month is expended for gas and $425/month for the dri~e~. She also stated that $1,0OO.O0
has been included in this account as an annual cost for the bus which is being turned back to the
Town for a replacement of the mini-bus.
Dr. Mclntosh questioned if the Senior Center would be her responsibility? Mrs. Barrel1 replied,
yes, and her office would be there.
Dr. Mclntosh questioned what would happen to the Upson House. Mr, Murphy replied that he has had
some suggestions.
Dr. Mclntosh questioned if the heating costs for Percival School had been included in the budget.
Chairman Bernardi stated that this would be figured into the budget.
Social Services. Mrs. Matta and Mr. Davis appeared to present this budget,
Mr. Davis stated that Account #2755-2757, Miscellaneous Grant Program, will be funded this year
and the figures will remain the same as last year. He stated that the approximate figures are
$7,000, Social Worker; $1,500, Miscellaneous Grant Program (seed money for programs for Park
and Recreation); and $3,700 for the Wilderness Program. He stated that they might like to drop
the Wilderness Program and suggested that this figure be entered in the budget as one lump sum.
Mrs. Matra stated that tuition is only paid for children who are borderline; some children pay
the entire cost.
Mr. Davis stated that during the 1981/82 year he averaged six people/month on workfare which
equals 3,18i hours. During the period 7/1/82-12/31/82 he averaged 11 people per month which
equals 3,810 hours for a total of $12,841.00. Mr. Vandrilla questioned if these people are as
effective as Town employees. Mr. Davis replied that with some it is ~ore work for the supervisor~
than what they get out of them. Others we count on a great deal. We receive I00% reimbursement.
Mr. Davis stated that Account #2758, Welfare, is increased because of hospital expenses. He
stated that he, and Corporation Counsel Jackaway, are fighting three cases in court now and they
expect to win. These three cases total $20,OOO. He cited a pending bill which will change the
hospital paying level. They will not receive a notice from the hospital and upon discharge the
individual will go directly to the Town Hall to apply for payment of bill.
Board of Finance
Meeting of January 13, 1983
Capital. He stated that he had requested a computer at a cost of $6,OOO. He is projecting the
cost in about two-three years. This is needed so that he can interact with the State records to
keep track of people. He also requested dictation equipment so that the records could be kept
up better.
He stated that he had requested a Youth Worker, however, this was eliminated from his budget.
He cited the work involved with welfare, thereby detracting from the youth services. In conjunc- ~
tion with the Social Worker they handle about 300 cases/year. Mr. Clinton questioned how the Youth/
Services Officer in the Police Department fits into this picture. Mr. Davis replied that they
handle arrests, crimes committed by juveniles -- they are not trained counselors. They do work
together. Mrs. Delaney questioned if the school system still had a social worker, Mr. Davis
replied, no.
He stated that there was a tremendous increase for energy appllcations this year. He stated that
Marjorie Moore Fund gave money this year and they have gone through about S1,OOO.OO of that al-
ready. He hopes that this money will be repaid so that the fund can be kept going.
He stated that although he had requested a meeting with the Executive Board he did not have one
in order to explain his needs for clerical help. He emphasized that clerical help for two to
three hours/day would be a tremendoes help. This would involYe confidential work relative to
welfare. He stated that he keeps track of all his money and writes IO0-150 checks/month. ~e
stated that at the State Auditor's request this function was moved to his office. Mrs. Barrell
is the only other person who can write checks. He stated that if additional help is not forth-
coming he contemplates leaving the Town employ by 1984.
He stated that he has also requested that his office be moved across the hall to Park and Recrea-
tion and be located in the spare room there. He suggested that the Secretary there be used as a
buffer when he is in conference with a client. The chairs there could be used as a waiting room.
Chairman Bernardi questioned if the Executive Board was cognizant of the manpower problem. Dr.
Mclntosh commented that they need a whole reorganization which would include a clerical and car
pools. Mr. Vandrilla stated that he would hope that the Personnel Director could reorganize in
an effective manner.
Water Control Commission. Mr. Clinton stated that about three to four years ago th;s Commission
use to pay rent for the segment of the building which they occupied. At that time they agreed to
pay one-third of the Director's salary and fringe benefits instead of rent. Mr. Clinton stated
that this should be picked up plus the square footage which they occupy as well as the telephone
service. He stated that they presently occupy 995 square feet and Mr. Scheyd suggested that
they be charged $18/square foot. Mr. Clinton stated that this would approximate S17,910.O0 for
the General Fund plus reimbursement for the telephone service. He stated that they pay for the
utilities at the Town Garage location.
Dr. Mclntosh stated that tBis concept is not good. They are still in the Town Government.
Mr. Clinton replied that they are suppose to be self-sustaining,
Chairman Bernardi stated that the E~ecutive Board can enter into an agreement with the Water Contr)l
Commission. He stated that he thought that the idea is all right,
Collection Rate forComputation of Taxes. Mr. £1inton stated that .the ten year average is 97.929.
Last year we used 98%. Over the last ten years the Tax Collector has come in over six times and
under four times.
It was agreed that 98% be used.
Personnel Accounts. Mr. Cllnton suggested that in departments where two or more clerks are
involved; i.e,, Finance, Town Clerk, Tax Collector and Assessor, that this figure be combined
into one account, under Personnel. This would give some flexibility.
Chairman Bernardi replied that he does not see any problem as long as this Information is avallabl,
at the Town Meeting.
It was the consensus of the Board members that this be done.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Alexandra D. Dempsey
Secretary