Westport News

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

1.    TV, Chair, opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. with the traditional salute to the flag.

2. The minutes of meetings on May 25th, June 8th and June 9th were presented for approval.  JM made a motion to accept the minutes as presented.  BB seconded the motion and all were in favor.

3. End of the year transfers was presented to the Fincom for approval.  
1. The Highway Department for $5,750 from personal services to general expenses.  A motion was made by WM and seconded by JM to approve this transfer.  The vote was unanimous in favor.
2. The Fire Department for $6,312 from general expenses to overtime.  A motion was made by BB and seconded by WM to approve this transfer. The vote was unanimous in favor.
3. The Water Enterprise for $4,000 from personal services to general expenses.  A motion was made by BB and seconded by WM to approve this transfer.  The vote was unanimous in favor.  JB questioned was the current rate was from Fall River and it was stated that the rate is $3.26 per cubic foot and we increase 15%.  Michael Coughlin (MC) was in attendance and volunteered that a new contract with the City of Fall River is in the works.
4. The Tax Collector for $1,200 from Regional Schools surplus general expenses to the Tax Collector’s line item for tax takings. Discussion ensued regarding this and it was determined that this would not be signed without written notification/approval of it legality.

4.    An invoice was presented and signed by all for the annual stipend due the Fincom members.  Checks were also distributed at this time.  Six members turned back their stipends leaving the balance of the actual payments to $300.

5.    A payroll voucher was presented to TV for payment of the clerk through June 9th.  All signed and was in favor of this.

6.    An encumbrance form was submitted for some office supplies that were purchased but invoiced in FY10.  The amount was $85.

7. TV began discussion by distributed a copy of the most recent cherry sheet from the state.  He explained the amounts for those who misunderstood.  MC joined in the discussion and spoke on the trade off between aid and assessments.  He said he briefed the BOS the night before.  He has determined that we will need a fall special town meeting to tweak the budgets in order to set the tax rate.  He said the town has done a good job controlling spending in FY10 and hopes it will continue through FY11.  TV said we need to look at what is being turned back at the end of this fiscal year.  The Fincom asked MC to give them the balance of what is owed for legal at the end of the year.  JM questioned the dog officer’s six-month budget and the unfunded police career incentive.  The police career incentive (Quinn Bill) started out funded 50/50 and now we may be liable for 100%.  The Fincom feels there should be a role for their members in the union negotiations.  HM thinks a Fincom member should be on any committee that costs the town money, example-the wind turbine project by the Alternative Energy Committee.

8. BB made a motion to thank the outgoing chairman for all his hard work and dedication over his time on the Fincom, especially during the difficult budget processes.  All were in favor and everyone applauded.

Adjournment and next meeting: There being no further business to come before this meeting, WM moved and BM seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:30pm.  The vote in favor was unanimous.  The next meeting will be on July 13th at 7:00 p.m. at the Westport Town Hall.
                            
Respectfully submitted,
Nicole Botelho, Recording Secretary