Board of Selectman
Monday, September 12, 2005
Joint meeting with Wellfleet, Eastham, Orleans, and Brewster.
Present:
Attending from Wellfleet: Dale Donovan
Attending from Eastham: Linda Burt, Joy Brookshire, Peter Whitlock, and Russ Sandblom. Also, Town Administrator Sheila Vanderhoef
Attending from Orleans: John Hinkley, Margie Funcher, Jon Fuller, David Dunford, staff John Kelly
Attending from Brewster: James Erhart, James Foley, Ed Lewis, Peter Norton, staff Lisa Souvae, Finance Director, Town Accountant, Charles Sumner
The meeting began at 5:30 PM at which time introductions were made.
Brewster Selectman comments:
We have begun looking at liabilities such as heating oil, gasoline, and electric. These accounts are out of order. The town is requesting a budget of $100,000.00. Health insurance costs are up, this problem needs to be dealt with within a budget year. Retirements are increasing throughout the county. There is a discussion among the Brewster Selectman but no vote, as to whether they need to request Level Funding.
Orleans Selectman comments:
Commented that, FY07 there will be a $700,000.00 deficit, and it is continuing to grow. We are starting to look at possible alternatives.
Wellfleet Selectman comments:
We need to start looking at what can be done in regards to salaries? And what are the financial projections?
Level Funding is OK this year. We have five different Union contracts on the table. We do not need an override this year, but is it a possibility next year, we don’t know. There has been an addition to the budget of $60,000.00 to handle costs such as oil, electric, etc.
Brewster Selectman comments:
We are looking at exempting part of the economic structure of Prompt 2 1/2 . Some employee contracts are up, and we need to start focusing on those. Believe that the State will have to start looking at individual towns liabilities that are out of control, and it should be up to this organization to start getting the state to realize that there is a problem. We need to start looking at how healthcare contracts are negotiated, municipal healthplans. These costs are going to start becoming an issue if we don’t try to control them. We have to control the costs involved with education. Raising the real estate taxes is an issue because it will make people leave making this a second home area, which no one wants to happen.
Eastham Selectman comments:
It is time to start fighting on a local level to make sure that our regional schools get what they were promised. Town employees deserve healthcare, they work hard for their benefits and we have to do what we can keep it for them. If we can regionalize and provide the same services it will help us all to save money. What if all of the towns got together to provide the necessary services?
Wellfleet Selectman comments:
We have implemented GPS systems in all of the town vehicles, and you would all be amazed at how much money is saved in regards to fuel. I do not think think it is possible to do away with Prompt 2 ½.
Brewster Selectman comments:
Perhaps certain costs such as heating oil, electric and other costs associated with the Town should not be included. We should be responsible for the things that we can control, not responsible for the things we cannot control.
Wellfleet Selectman comments:
The purpose of Prompt 2 ½ is not to constrict, but to make sure that the taxes do not get so out of control and escalate to a rate that is not feasible. There is no real limit to taxes. We need to levi taxes on seasonal residential properties. There needs to be new source of revenue otherwise taxes will have to be raised in order to provide necessary services. There has to be a decision made in regards to whether there should be fewer services or higher taxes?
Orleans Selectman comments:
Managing the services is what needs to be done more efficiently. Budgets for Nauset Regional High School is 15% of the total budget. Orleans schools and Tech are 30% of total budget. We need to focus on what is happening within school populations and school budget. We hear the private sector talking about efficiency and productivity and there is no reason why we can’t focus on that also. We need to demand efficiency and productivity of our employees. We need to start looking at the whole picture, not anything in particular.
Brewster Selectman comments:
The state makes requirements such as No Child Left Behind and MCAS but they need to start providing adequate funding for them.
Town money that goes off Cape needs to start coming back, for example to the Lottery.
Brewster Selectman comments:
The legislature looks at the Cape as a very wealthy area, and being a wealthy area that we are not willing to contribute our fair share of funds. This is a problem that we need to try and work out, but how? We need new sources of revenue, can we go after the state or federal government? Also, we have to create new revenue streams within the area. Any revenue streams that can promote and improve without going to the taxpayers will be best. We have to somehow get the money so that services that people expect can continue. What can be done to adequately fund the school without bankrupting the other departments? Estimated amount of $1,800,082. Students need to be educated, staff needs to be paid, this is something that will need to be constantly monitored. There is a huge E
and D account.
Orleans Selectman comments:
Over the last six years the number of students in the region has declines 5%. However, the operating budget has increased 38% in that same time period. The school age population can be expected to decline 20 to 22% in the next two to three to four years. Some programs within the school system need to be discussed. What programs might be minimized or prioritized? We don’t want to prioritize at the cost of cutting back programs, however. We need to look at how useful some programs are, and do they still add value?
Eastham Selectman comments:
There are more and more programs that are being added because more and more parents are not home. These programs cost money. We have to look at the idea that we are becoming babysitters to these kids. The needs of the children are changing socially.
Brewster Selectman comments:
Total regional budget $21 million.
We also have to take care of our capital cost. We told them to ignore capital and focus on operating. (?) We need to maintain the tennis courts, track, these are all part of the school capital. We have let these things go.
Looking at the state and federal perspective. What about getting state and federal candidates to focus on our issue?
No Child Left Behind and education reform and local mandates. We should work on changing those mandates. Need to make it less adversarial. Don’t need a lecture from town representatives at the school committee meetings. Where do we go from here? Why don’t we wait for the school and then get together?
David Dunford:
School has a more accelerated budget cycle, communications decision process. Need to come up with a focus process. They start in October, but budget and finance meets and the it rolls. Maybe we can ask if there is a set date?
Mike says there is no date set for budget and finance. October 2 and the third week and give subcommittee last week.
Set next meeting. Columbus Day. Tuesday the 11th, Brewster meets. Last week of October 12, 13, 18, 19, 20th budget and finance will meet. Follow up meeting to set policy to mail to school committee last week.
We need to provide some kind of guideline, but before we do we need to know what their budget is, a pro formo, business plan. We need to get to those bottom lines. They need to share all their evenue streams, but we need to know where we’re at. What is the next meeting for?
I agree with John Hinkley. We need to give more than just a number. There needs to be more than 2-3%. It would be better to look at the schools identified needs.
Asking to meet with Mike early? I still personally feel that instead of four towns banding together, each town needs to send a rep to work with the school and not make speeches. We are so different in our timetables, I don’t think that much can be done. I don’t see the purpose of this.
John Hinkley:
I was directing my comment to process. However, it is done ok, at school committee or here. No matter. I agree that we have tried to do this before and it has ended as fragmented issues. I think their information is key.
Tim Smith, the charter in Wellfleet does not require the budget policy unitl after administrators budget is set. We need to wait for Mike Gradone.
Meeting adjourned at 6:45 PM
| 
