PALMER TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2009, 7:00 PM
Town Council Meeting Room, Palmer Town Building
Minutes
1. Called to order at 1912
2. Roll Call
a) Present: Mr. Williams, Mr. Backus, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Duguay, Ms. Barry, Mr. Burns, Mr. Streeter,
b) Absent: Mr. Remillard, Mr. Dinuovo, Mr. Magiera
3. Agenda Item: Budget discussion
a) Mr. Streeter: Not much more info available than last time; Have the Library staff present to discuss items (Ms. Nancy Menard)
b) Ms. Menard:
i. Library’s position:
(a) Minimum budget necessary to meet state requirements for certification-$748,867 is minimum; budget we presented is $23 over that
(b) Budget is 1.3% increase; not for the enhancement or addition of services
(c) Without certification residents lose opportunity for reciprocal borrowing of materials from other libraries
(d) Town managers proposal does not meet minimum requirements for certification
a. Discussed reductions in manager’s proposals
b. Reducing library services budget will require reduced hours and staffing cuts, as well as outreach services, summer programs and services for all patrons
c. Without certification we become a standalone library without the ability to apply for grant funding, et al.
(e) State aid award 2009 was over $27,000
ii. Library provides valuable services for citizens, including internet access, educational programs and jobseeker services to promote lifelong learning
iii. Please consider the budget request to continue to provide certification and important services to the town
c) Mr. Backus:
d) Mr. Hebert: if funding weren’t met library would not be liable for recertification for two years? Under discussion; no formal bill yet on waivers for certification
e) Automation item: cost associated with computers and regional library access; MARS system; budget item stays the same regardless which budget
f) Mr. Streeter: We do pick up a good share of unclassified in our budget from the library which should be properly considered in their budget
g) Town should meet with state library board to discuss these items, such as health care costs and other unclassified
h) Why are those expenses under unclassified instead of shown in their budget?
i) Ms. Barry: several years ago we think they were taken out; don’t know
j) Ms. M: State library board has funding formula that applies to each library in the state; we can facilitate discussions with the board about these items
k) Mr. Burns: State cuts are draconian but with cuts we can’t keep library funded above level of other proportional cuts throughout the community although we support library and recognize the need for services provided
l) Ms. Barry: We need to work on preserving certification under a budget cut across the board
m) Ms. M: We are required to be open for our size population a minimum of 40 hours per week; some evenings
n) Book budget was discussed: 14% vs. 16% ; we could put those funds in a different area
o) Because of MARS certification we don’t have to buy as many books this year
p) We want to be careful about minimally funding the library for certification
q) Mr. Backus: Library board will have to reconsider certification requirements in light of financial constraints
r) Ms. Barry: We need to work to get insurance and retirement costs out of unclassified expenses and back into library budget; was discussed last year but not followed up
s) Mr. Streeter: Unemployment costs also need to be considered in library’s operating budget
t) Ms. Barry: could you come back to us soon with this information?
u) Mr. Hebert: asked about clarification of collection item; agrees with Ms Barry
v) Internet access is through Comcast
w) Does library still have separate auditor? Yes
x) What services are you duplicating that we are also doing here? Things you are spending money on that we provide here to put things under one umbrella and free funds in some other areas?
y) Office supplies were discussed as an example
z) How is budget funded? Town cuts a check to library once a month; library pays vendors. Town has accounting staff; could pay vendor directly
aa) Streamlining expenses can save money; bank accounts, staffing, trust funds, other places where we can save money
bb) Mr. Duguay: we have to work together as a group
4. Mr. Streeter: information requested for council:
a) Permits-records kept on a fiscal year basis; slight cut in inspections but revenues seem to be same as FY 08. Do we charge a permit fee for all these permits we issue? Yes; fees were reviewed 5 years ago; we are resurveying other towns and reviewing fee structure
b) Health care costs: $5 copay. $25 ER copay
i. Based on estimate of required coverage; people move around
ii. Discussed increasing copays (ER copay to $50)
iii. Contract negotiation item with collective bargaining units
iv. Possibly increasing copays will absorb increase for this FY
v. If we negotiate all increases in copays and change ratio to 70/30 we can save $380,000
c) When do we negotiate contracts? We are negotiating now
d) Ms. Barry: can we request impact bargaining change in copays? What would savings be before it impacts employees? Roughly 7 office visits seems to be break point
e) Mr. Streeter: refer to insurance advisory committee; also retiree issues
f) Ms. Barry: Numbers are simple; we should gather numbers to bring to advisory committee and ask for a vote; money saved can be used other areas
g) Consensus is to bring to insurance advisory committee and request action by the end of the school year.
5. Mr. Backus moved to adjourn; Mr. Hebert seconded; vote was unanimous to adjourn at 2008
Respectfully submitted by
Ramon Dole
Recording Secretary
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