Westport News

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

1.    TV, Chair, opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. and immediately asked for a vote for a change of venue or cancellation of the meeting due to the overwhelming support for Dr. Carlos Colley, School Superintendent.  Attendance was over 100 people and a member of the Fire Department shut down Town Hall because of over-capacity.  TP made a motion and BB seconded it to move the meeting to the Westport High School cafeteria.  The vote was 5-4 in favor of moving the meeting.  The meeting was then held in recess for everyone to move the venue.

2. TV reopened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.  BB made a motion to take off the table the motion, which had been tabled at the January 12th meeting.  The previous motion was regarding Dr. Colley’s request that the Fincom recommend for adoption a Town Meeting warrant article that would authorize covering from the stabilization fund a FY10 education budget shortfall in the amount of $150,000. The motion was seconded by TP and all were in favor of removing the motion from the table.  There was then much discussion on the January 12th motion.  A motion was then made by BB and seconded by TP to support the school in taking $150k from stabilization to cover the FY10 shortfall in the schools operating budget.  Dr. Colley spoke on this matter.  There were many in attendance that supported Dr. Colley.  Michael Coughlin, Town Administrator, also spoke on the matter.  The biggest problem was that without the $150k, Dr. Colley would have to lay off teachers right away.  After a lengthy time spent listening to audience support, a vote was taken.  The vote was 4-5 in opposition of supporting the school in taking this money from stabilization.   BM made a comment that stabilization is the last place to go for money, not the first.  There are 54 departments in town and the Fincom has only just begun.  He did want to commend Dr. Colley and the School Committee on their efforts and hard work.  

A brief recess occurred from 8:30 – 8:40 p.m.

3.    Budget Hearings:

a.    Building Department:    Ralph Souza, Building Inspector and Nelia Williams, Principal Clerk were in attendance and presented the proposed FY11 budget for the Building Department.  (See attached.) Mr. Souza talked about funding the Assistant Local Inspector position and part-time clerk.  He spoke about some new laws that require permits, which will increase his workload.  He did speak a little on the difference between the inspectors.  This position is part-time.  There was a brief discussion on the revolving account and the increase in revenue from the new permits.  
    
b.    Shellfish & Wharfinger Department:    Gary Sherman, Shellfish Warden & Wharfinger, was in attendance to present the FY11 budgets for the above departments.  (See attached.)  He started by telling everyone that the budgets were level funded.  He spoke about the shellfish gift account he uses for seed to repopulate the river and the recent grant he received to do this.  He also spoke on the new aquaculture regulations and fees to be charged that are set by the state. The Wharfinger is responsible for all town docks and is part of the Harbor Enterprise.  They are still paying back a loan to the town from several years ago.

    c.    Other:    BB spoke briefly on his departments.  JB asked that department heads be in attendance to discuss their departments.  TV said he would reschedule them.

4.    MC spoke on the financial crisis at hand and the FY11 outlook.  (See attached.)  He spoke about a field meeting on March 2nd that will deal with ending the library net spending for re-certification.  He spoke about a contingent budget pending an override.  He spoke on the bleak outlook for FY11 and forward and the problems yet to face FY10.

5. TV distributed a letter from Stephen Fors, Moderator, to all members.  (See attached.)  BB suggested that he put together a list of the more important Roberts Rules of Order to follow for the Fincom going forward.  TV thought that was a good idea.

Adjournment and next meeting: There being no further business to come before this meeting, BB moved and BM seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:10pm.  The vote in favor was unanimous.  The next regular meeting will be on February 16th at 6:30 p.m.
                            
Respectfully submitted,
Nicole Botelho, Recording Secretary