HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - AC - 09/22/2016 Cohasset Advisory Committee
Minutes
September 22, 2016
Chairman Nan Roth called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Attendees were Nan Roth, Helene Lieb, Leland Jenkins, Tanya Bodell, John Chapman, Richard
Fitzpatrick and Paul Carlson
The School Department has requested a transfer of$106,144 from free cash for a new
communications system for the Middle High School. The School Department has developed a
plan for its communications for presentation to Town Meeting. They have asked the Advisory
Committee to accelerate the process since the old system simply stopped working. Repair
experts told them that parts were no longer available.
A full town wide request for communications gear will be made at Special Town Meeting and
Free Cash will be reimbursed by the Capital Budget at that time.
Leland Jenkins proposed A motion to approve the transfer from Free Cash of$104,144 to be
reimbursed by Capital Budget at Town Meeting. Tanya Bodell seconded. The motion passed
7 -0.
Rolf Gjesteby and Leonora Jenkins of the Water Commission stated that with Retained Earnings
having been restored to $792,000 they have some deferred projects they want to fund. The
security of their system is a major concern. They also have $175,000 of extra maintenance.
There will be a proposed Warrant Article for the Special Town Meeting.
Town Manager Chris Senior reviewed the budget message. The priority this year will be to use
technology to improve services and productivity. The town wide communications project is one
part of this effort.
He also stated that Free Cash is now termed Undesignated Fund Balance (UDF). The amount in
the fund is $2.1 million versus a normal balance of about $1.3 — 1.4 million. The major factor in
the higher balance is the reduction of Tax Deferral balances. People who meet certain criteria
can elect to defer their real estate taxes, but the deferral is due and payable when they sell
their properties. This year we had an unusually high number of such sales. The UDF also
received a $150,000 turn back from the School Department which will be used to fund SPED
services.
Nan Roth asked Chris Senior for an analysis of our various fund balances which he provided in
paper form later in the meeting.
Leland Jenkins discussed school maintenance issues.
The minutes of the August 11, 2016 meeting were reviewed. Helene Lieb moved to approve
them, Leland Jenkins seconded. The minutes were approved 5-0 with two abstentions (John
Chapman and Richard Fitzpatrick.)
Nan Roth and Tanya Bodell discussed the initial meeting of the Long Range Planning Group.
The group's first step was to set priorities. They also discussed the SPED Stabilization Fund.
The new OPEB valuation report now shows liability of$30 million versus our fund of$2 million.
Chris Senior stated that our fund is much higher than comparable town.
Helene Lieb moved to adjourn, Leland Jenkins seconded and the motion passed 7-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Paul Carlson