Hancock Advisory Committee Meeting

Monday, February 15, 2010

Minutes

 

The Hancock Advisory Committee met to finalize its positions on the 2010 Proposed Budget and Warrant Articles and prepare for speaking to each article at Town Meeting on March 13. Chairman Greg Lusted convened the meeting at 6:05 p.m. Present -- Gail Hoffmann, Marsha Kono, Rich LeFebvre, Greg Lusted (Chair), and Pat Payne.

 

Greg and Rich LeFebvre shared conversations they've had with Ric Haskins, Town Moderator, who appoints Advisory Committee members. Ric has mentioned two candidates, one a young man in town who has expressed interest in town government, the second a retired businessman. Committee members agreed with Rich that financial/accounting savvy is highly desirable, but also recognize the desirability of getting younger people involved in town government.

 

Pat Payne said she thinks the Committee has been successful in influencing this year's budget process, and has gotten the Select Board's attention with the kind of in-depth questions we've asked. Members commented that the Committee can't just look at the expense budget and other warrant articles in a vacuum – they have to be looked at in the broader context of the town's financial situation and financial management. Marsha Kono said she wants to understand more fully what all the pieces are and how they fit together.

 

In addition, Committee members agreed that they will be available at Town Meeting to sign as required (5) petitioners for a paper (secret) ballot on all Warrant Articles calling for appropriations.

 

Greg said the Committee needs to pin down its votes/positions on Warrant Articles so that they can be provided to Barbara Caverly for inclusion in the Warrant Article write-ups for Town Meeting. They need to go to Barbara on February 16.

 

Committee Warrant Article Recommendations --

 

*      Operating Budget: The Committee recommends adoption of the 2010 Operating Budget (as presented at the Feb. 8, 2010 hearing) with 3 voting in favor, 2 opposed.

 

Rich LeFebvre will speak to this at Town Meeting. He said he wants to caution voters that even though the 2010 proposed budget is essentially flat to the 2009 budget, the Town is forecasting even lower Revenues than in 2009. Plus, there may very well be more cuts in State aid during 2010 (i.e., the gap between Expenses and Revenues is widening). He plans to commend the Select Board and Department Heads for their hard work in underspending the 2009 budget, but caution that their hard work isn't done – they should shoot to underspend their 2010 Budgets, wherever possible. It was suggested that he also acknowledge the hard work and willingness to belt tighten that have gone into the 2010 budget process – by the Select Board, Department Heads, Commissions and Committees.

                                                                                                                                                                                                  

*      Hillsborough Child Advocacy: The Committee supports (3 in favor, 2 opposed) the $1000 donation for 2010 to the Hillsborough Child Advocacy Program.

 

         Gail Hoffmann will speak to this article at Town Meeting. Issues cited were: Specific benefits to Hancock residents? And whether this funding should be part of the regular budget process where it would be subject to the kind of weighing of value and trade-offs that occur with other budgeted items.

 

*      Grapevine: The Committee supports (unanimous vote) the $3,750 donation for 2010 to the Grapevine Center.

 

         Pat Payne will speak to this article at Town Meeting. Committee members recognize that the Grapevine offers a variety of programs and services that directly support households and families (especially low- to moderate-income) that are especially important during these tough economic times.

 

*      Meetinghouse [CRV]: The Committee (unanimous vote) strongly supports establishment of a Capital Reserve Fund for maintaining the Meetinghouse, and the initial appropriation of $5,000 to that Fund. Meetinghouse [only painting]: The Committee does not support the stand-alone article for $5,000 for Meetinghouse painting. (Vote unanimous against.)

 

         Rich Lefebvre will speak to these two articles. The Committee thinks it's high time there was a capital reserve fund for this historic building so that maintenance/preservation can be planned and funded on a less hit-or-miss basis. We also recognize the advisability of a Capital Reserve Fund for grant seeking/fund raising purposes.

 

*      Land Use Change Tax: The Committee supports (4 in favor, one abstention) the warrant proposal that all Land Use Change Tax proceeds go to the Town's General Fund (rescinding the 2004 decision to set aside 50% of LUCT proceeds annually, with a $6,000 cap per year, to the Hancock Conservation Fund.)

 

         Marsha Kono will speak to this article. Rationale includes the Committee's belief that the Select Board is in the best position to judge appropriate use of this revenue, weighing the Town's overall priorities, financial demands and desire to keep the tax rate as low as possible. Other points (as discussed by the Select Board) are that LUCT proceeds could appropriately be used to offset the costs of the existing Prospect Hill Land Purchase bond which is costing us $44,000 per year; that the amount of Hancock land set aside as open space or under conservation easement is well above the 25% goal set by the state; and that the Conservation Fund already has sufficient funds for preliminary exploration of potential conservation opportunities.

 

 

*      Mack Truck Rebuild: The Committee supports (unanimously) the article to appropriate up to $20,000 to rebuild the 1994 Mack truck instead of purchasing a new replacement.

 

Marsha Kono will speak to this article. The Committee commends Kurt Grassett's sensible and pragmatic approach – a thorough, independent assessment of the vehicle, leading to a recommendation that should extend the truck's working life by 5 to 10 years vs. the estimated $130,000 cost of replacement.

 

The Committee decided against a letter to the editor or write-up for Hancock Happenings. Members who will speak to articles are asked to draft their planned remarks. Greg will speak to Ric Haskins about our intention that all dollar-related articles be voted on by paper ballot.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Marsha Kono

[approved: 2-23-10]

 

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