Minutes
ROCKLAND FINANCE COMMITTEE
ROCKLAND TOWN HALL
ROCKLAND, MA 02370
January 11, 2012
In attendance at January 11, 2012 Finance Committee meeting were Bill Allen, Bob MacDonald, Joe Gambon, John Ellard and Rich Penney. Rachel Gear and Julie Schaffer were absent.
The meeting was brought to order at 7:03 p.m. by Chairman John Ellard. John read aloud that the meeting was being recorded and could be reproduced.
Rich Penney made a motion to accept the minutes from the December 14, 2011 meeting, seconded by Joe Gambon. A unanimous vote was taken.
New Business
- Dr. John Rogers, accompanied by Peggy Bryan, and Dan Palata, from P3 Company, presented the plan for the New Senior Center.
- Currently the Cost to the town would be 2.5 million. It will cost 3 million to construct, but we received a 500k grant which has to be used by the end of Fiscal Year 2013. Even if used, and the project does not go through, the town does not have to pay this money back. The increased cost on an annual basis would be approximately 51K, 12K on the high end for a cleaning service, 35K for utilities and 4K for an HVAC service contract.
- Building would be a 1 floor structure and approximately 9000 sq. ft and designed in a manner which allows for rooms to be expanded or sectioned off. It would contain a living room, cafeteria, fitness room, nurse’s office, an arts and crafts room, a commercial kitchen and a pay as you go salon. Dan Palata from P3 Corp spoke about the building and the fact that everything is being done to make sure the building is a green as possible without having to go through the LEADS process.
- In thinking outside the box, and trying to limit the cost to the townspeople, the committee has started a capital donation plan in which people, and or businesses can make capital donations and have parts of the building have their name on them. They also can make donations payable over 5 years to help contribute to the increased operating expenses, estimated to be 51k annually.
- The old facility has had its share of accidents, none of which to date has been serious enough to affect the towns liability insurance ratings, but the new building being a one floor structure designed with seniors in mind, would help alleviate some of these issues. Currently a traffic study is being done to assess the impact the residents in the neighborhood.
- The building is designed with movable partitions which would allow the space to be rented out. A discussion on whether the rental funds go into a revolving account to offset the annual operating expenses needs to be had.
- Selectman Bill Minahan and Town Accountant Eric Hart handed out the preliminary budget.
- The Selectmen’s recommended budget came in at 48,300,840. According to Bill, everyone was level funded with the exception of the 2.5%.
- Income for the Year has been assumed to be flat. It was recommended that any new money due to an increase of State Numbers be allocated between the Education Budgets and the remainder of the town using a 70/30 split.
- Health insurance should come in under the initial 8.3% increase budgeted. Eric made the recommendation that any savings from Health Insurance be put aside for future town retirement benefits which currently have been unfunded.
- Increase in Police Chiefs salary line item is a result of a new contract in which the town is buying back all sick time now and paying out over a 3 year period. On a go forward, the contract does not provide for any sick / vacation benefits, so buyback at retirement is removed from the equation.
- Workmen’s Compensation Insurance has increased a good percentage due to the 3 year audit period. Liability Insurance is expected to increase by 140K this year.
- Rich Penney brought up the idea of instituting the .75% Hotel occupancy tax for the local hotels. Research is needed and a case must be brought before the Board of Selectmen before this can be done. This does not have to be an article and can be an action at the board level.
- None of the unions included any contractual raises in the budgets as they have to be negotiated
- Other Business
- None.
OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS:
- School Building Committee
- No Updates given.
- Capital Planning Committee
- No updates given.
NEXT MEETING:
Currently scheduled for January 25, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Lower conference room.
Rich made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Joe Gambon. A unanimous vote was taken and the meeting ended at 8:57 p.m.
Respectfully
William Allen
Secretary
Rockland Finance Committee
Rockland Finance Committee Agenda
Meeting Date: January 11, 2012
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Rockland Town Hall lower conference room
Call Meeting to Order – Chairman
Review of Minutes – Secretary
Rockland Finance Committee Agenda
Meeting Date: January 11, 2012
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Rockland Town Hall lower conference room
Call Meeting to Order – Chairman
Review of Minutes – Secretary
New Business
New Senior Center Discussion with Dr. Rodgers
FY2013 Budget
Other Business:
Committee Reports:
Correspondence:
Next meeting: Scheduled for January 25th, 2012 in Lower Conference room
Adjourn:
William Allen
Secretary
Rockland Finance Committee