MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Wednesday, January 10, 2007 - 2:30 p.m.
Work Session
Location: Timothy Smith Room
Present: Selectman~Linda S. Burt, Chair; Selectman Kenelm N. Collins, Vice-Chair;
Selectman David W. Schropfer; Selectman Martin F. McDonald.
Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator
Absent: Selectman Russell H. Sandblom, Clerk
Finance Committee Representative Present: Russell French
Selectman Burt called the meeting to order at 2:35 p.m.
WORK SESSION
Budget Review - The Human Services Budget for FY 08.
Human Services Advisory Committee members Gail Hoffman, Chair, as well as Richard L. Dill, were present.
Ms. Hoffman noted the agencies submitting proposals are doing good works, but the Human Services Committee has more recently narrowed their focus by prioritizing the specific needs of the Town of Eastham. This year, an emphasis was placed on child care. In this regard, Eastham is the primary source of funding for the Eastham Elementary Child Care program. The Human Services Advisory Committee has upped the funding recommendation from 11,500.00 awarded last year (FY 07) to $12,850.00 for FY 08.
Ms. Hoffman noted that the Children’s Place does fine work with pre-school children, and
had received an increase in FY 07 (i.e., FY 06 approved amount $2,700 to FY 07 approved $3,000).
Ms. Hoffman noted that Gosnold deals with addiction care, and is the sole provider in our area.
Gosnold recently took over the responsibilities for the Council on Alcoholism. The Human Services Advisory Committee has recommended an increase for FY 08 to $4,000 from their FY 07 approved amount to Gosnold of $3,000. Ms. Hoffman also stated that the Human Service Advisory Committee will be monitoring services so that they can determine exactly how much services are actually being received. In this effort, they will also be working with the Council on Aging, as well as meeting with the Police Department and School Nurse.
Concerns regarding homelessness and individuals with financial crises continue to hold their attention. They have been working with the Interfaith Council for the Homeless and Lower Cape Outreach Council who give outright assistance to families in need.
Ms. Hoffman mentioned a dental prevention “tooth tutoring” initiative by the Lower/Outer Cape Coalition which has received their recommendation for funding for $1,500 for FY 08. Selectman Burt noted that the dental program has been in effect for a while.
Selectman McDonald inquired as to the process related to these requests. Ms. Hoffman stated
that agencies submit proposals to them, the Human Services Advisory Committee subsequently meets with each agency throughout the fall, and then makes their recommendations to the Board of Selectmen. Their recommendations are reviewed by the Board of Selectmen and then voted on at Town Meeting in May. Some agencies ask for more than what has been recommended by the Committee. Ms. Hoffman again noted that they make every effort to base their recommendations based on need and to correlate that need with actual services provided to Eastham.
Selectman Schropfer observed that a request had been made by Legal Services for $3,600 and the recommended amount was $1,000. Mr. Dill noted that, as stated, an emphasis has been made to look at the relative financial burden that Eastham has been picking up in relation to services actually received. In this particular instance, statistics were compared to other towns, and it appeared that we were over funding. The Human Services Advisory Committee therefore recommended lowering the amount.
Discussion commenced regarding Outer Cape Health Services. The Town of Eastham approved, for FY 07, $5,000 from the Timothy Smith Fund. Ms. Hoffman noted that the Human Services Advisory Committee perceives the services provided by Outer Cape Health Services as somewhat separate from other agencies they review and considers their services to be primarily that of health care givers, who also receive reimbursement from federal grants and third party billing. Selectman Schropfer noted that the services provided by Outer Cape Health Services are indeed valuable both to residents and visitors alike and agrees with the decision previously made at another meeting to fund them for this year through the Timothy Smith Fund.
Selectman Collins, Human Services Liaison, thanked Ms. Hoffman and Mr. Dill for their enthusiasm, dedication and diligence in their work on behalf of the Town of Eastham.
Budget Review - Police Department (Page 58 - town of Eastham Administrator’s FY 089 Operating and Capital Budget). Chief Richard Hedlund, present.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the budget as presented is unremarkable. No new staff recommendations were noted. Ms. Vanderhoef said that at one point there had been discussion
related to the hiring of a School Resource Officer, but it appears that the Cape Cod Nauset Regional School Department will now fund this full-time nine month position directly, as recommended by Michael Gradone, Superintendent for the Nauset Regional School District. If the School Resource Officer is placed in either Brewster, Orleans or Eastham for the remaining three months, that town will support those three months.
A brand new 911 system is being installed, whereby overlapping recording will no longer
be problematic in the event of an emergency. Radio, telephone, everything that comes
across will now be simultaneously recorded.
Selectman McDonald asked if the increased population during the summer months affects the budget. Do we maintain a force geared to approximately 30,000 individuals or some percentage of that for other non-seasonal months? Police Chief Hedlund noted that the tourist “season” lasts longer now than previously, with individuals taking advantage of longer weekends in better weather. He noted that we are geared for more than 5,000 but less than 30,000. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the call volume activity meets that of towns with approximately 15,000 in population. Selectman McDonald noted that his question also applies to the Fire Department. Police Chief Hedlund said that demographics also play into this volume (i.e., longer ambulance runs, etc.). Police Chief Hedlund also noted that time
on the books is many times eliminated during the winter months when possible. However, February which has traditionally been “slower” is relatively busy now.
Selectman McDonald asked what can be done to control the budget. Chief Hedlund noted
that repairing, upgrading equipment, etc. all help. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the writing of grants, when successful, also helps to control spending. Chief Hedlund noted that grants are indeed relied on.
Budget Review - Fire Department - Chief Glenn Olson, present.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the budget was unremarkable, with the exception of Call Fire Fighters (page 65-67).
Mr. Olson noted that $10,000 was maintained for a call force, which amounts to an allowance
of about $2,500 per employee. Mr. Olson noted that having this call force allows him to
gather a pool of about four people who may be available to us on off-hours. Many times this same call force becomes a pool from which these same individuals can transition into a career job. Often these individuals use their own funds and time to gain paramedic status, which puts them in a better position to be considered for positions as they become available. It was
noted with concern that housing is problematic for individuals not living in the community.
Selectman Schropfer asked regarding the County Dispatching program that Mr. Olson had
expressed interest in. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the cost for implementing this program was not in this budget. Discussion followed regarding the potential benefits related to having this County Regional Dispatch Center. Selectman Schropfer stated that he would welcome a further review of this potential project, with a view towards pushing for it for next year if the review is favorable. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that she and Chief Hedlund also favor looking at this closely before proceeding, and will commence to do so as requested.
Selectman Schropfer asked regarding the $1500 indicated for purchase of a Dispatcher’s Chair.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that this chair needs to be fully adjustable and is in use round-the-clock.
Dispatchers sit on this chair for approximately eight hours, thus the comfort level of the
chair must be optimal. This chair traditionally needs to be replaced every two to three years.
Chief Glenn Olson was pleased to report that our requests for Mutual Aid have been reduced
due to added personnel in the Fire Department. . The additional staffing has had a positive effect, and Chief Olson wanted to thank the Board of Selectmen for their support in these initiatives.
3:40 Budget Review - Natural Resources
Rock Harbor - Draining Area - Special Request
Mr. Henry Lind, Natural Resource Officer and Martin Mickle, Deputy Department of Public
Works Director, were present here to discuss a pressing need/problem related to Rock Harbor.
The department managers presented to the Board a proposal to excavate and dry the dredge spoils at Rock harbor and create a safe area for the public. They reviewed the condition at Rock Harbor which led to the closing of a part of the area during the July 4th weekend. The proposal is to excavate the soil and place pipes to allow drainage and drying of the material. The rental of an excavator for the job, operated by staff, is approximately $6,000 a month, thereby correcting this problem by late Spring, and enabling this area to be re-vegetated by July.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that this was brought to the Board of Selectmen at this time, so that
with their potential support this can be moved on as soon as possible. Selectmen Schropfer noted that this was an innovative approach to this problem, and would encourage timely support for this request.
Selectman Collins moved to approve $15,000 to support this project at Rock Harbor, from Capital Improvements. Selectman Martin seconded the motion. APPROVED 4-0.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that Natural Resources will return to discuss their general budget at another time.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that a request for the third quarter funding for Nauset Together We
Can had been received, and understands that the Board of Selectmen may want to discuss
this funding further. The Board of Selectmen would like a representative from Nauset Together We Can to be present during the discussion to be scheduled at a future date.
Selectman Schropfer made a motion to go into Executive Session at 3:55 p.m., for the purpose of Land Acquisition, and not to return to regular Public Session. Selectman Schropfer, yes; Selectmen Martin, yes; Selectman Burt, yes; Selectman Collins, yes.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorraine Speros
Administrative Assistant
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