Westport News

Present:    Bob McCarthy (BM), Warren Messier (WM), Tony Vieira (TV), Hugh Morton (HM), Jack Baughan (JB), Charles Baron (CB), John Miller (JM)
Absent:    Lisa Arnold (LA), Tracy Priestner (TP)

1.    TV, Chair, opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. with the traditional salute to the flag.

2. Special Town Meeting:    

Article 8:    This article is to amend the inclusionary by-law.  There may be changes to the percentage but that hasn’t happened to date.  TV said he would be more comfortable with 10 than 15 and that this should be on the annual not special town meeting.  CB said that based on the public hearing, this seems to be a necessary item to the Planning Board and the town.  JB made a motion to recommend Article 8 as written.  HM seconded the motion and the vote was 5-2 with 2 absent.

Article 2:    This article is to increase the meal tax to 7%.  BB made a motion to reconsider the previous recommendation.  WM seconded the motion and much discussion ensued.  BM questioned whether the Economic Development Task Force has any conversations with businesses to get their feelings on the increase in tax.  Michael Sullivan from that committee was in attendance and said that they are not set up as a committee to accomplish that.  They are set up to bring businesses in to town.  They did, however, speak to a few and had no response from Lafrance Hospitality regarding the tax.  Mr. Sullivan also spoke as a School Committee member as to why the School Committee put this article on the warrant.  They feel this will help fill the gap in revenue.  This is not a business tax but a consumer tax and the .75% should not effect the bottom line of business not distract customers.  However, the School Committee would be open to other options for revenue should they become available.  HM made a motion to not recommend Article 2.  BB seconded the motion and the vote was 6-1 with 2 absent.

Article 6:    This article is to vote to send the 99-year lease with The Trustees of Reservation for Town Farm to the state legislature for approval.  BB said after all his research, this is a win situation for the town.   Jen Holske from TTOR was on hand to field questions and gave a little more background of TTOR.  (See attached information.)  Geraldine Millham, a volunteer for many years in town and at Town Farm, was on hand to give an emotional plea in favor of this article.  Many questions went around the table as to the value of Town Farm and why this couldn’t wait for the annual town meeting in the spring.  CB made a motion to recommend this article.  BM seconded the motion and the vote was 4-3 with 2 absent.

3.    Budget:    Michael Coughlin, Town Administrator, was in attendance to speak on the budget issues facing the town.  He distributed his budget strategy going forward.  (See attached.)  He said the state closed FY09 and did not use any more stabilization.  He also said that if we are hit again in December, we should not wait until the spring to make cuts.  JM said one big problem is going to be snow and ice since we have no free cash.  MC is also looking into non-monetary tools from the state to assist.  Terry Provencal, Town Accountant, said that with no free cash for FY11, assessors overlay and snow and ice, we are looking at approximately a $1 million deficit.  JM questioned if the Fincom liaisons could help departments with the budgets.  TV said we are not here to micro-manage, just to advise.

4.    Other:    TV reminded everyone that the Annual Meeting is on October 24th and everyone is encouraged to attend.  
        TV said there is a SRPEDD meeting on November 4th at UMASS Fall River.  He is co-chairing the event.  Everyone is encouraged to attend.
                            
 Adjournment and next meeting: There being no further business to come before this meeting, JB moved and BM seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:30pm.  The vote in favor was unanimous.   The next meeting will be the Special Town Meeting on October 27th at 6:00 p.m. at the Westport High School.
                            
Respectfully submitted,
Nicole Botelho, Recording Secretary