Hancock Advisory Committee Meeting

Monday, October 5, 2009

Minutes

 

 

Present: Gail Hoffmann, Marsha Kono, Rich LeFebvre, Tony Lockwood, Greg Lusted (Chairperson).

 

The meeting convened at 6 p.m.

 

Greg Lusted shared copies of statements of Year-to-Date Actuals vs. Budgeted through the end of September received from the Town Office. Various Members commented on specific line items but rapidly concluded that we need explanatory information from the Select Board/Town Administrator in order to get any kind of comprehensive picture (especially given timing variances on expenditures and revenues) of how this year is shaping up. Greg will invite Barbara Caverly to provide this kind on commentary at our next meeting.

 

Marsha Kono asked whether the Select Board receives periodic prose reports from the Departments on actual vs. budgeted performance. She also asked whether the Select Board provides periodic financial updates/commentary to the town, and thought this could be helpful in keeping residents both updated and educated about how the town's finances work.

 

Rich LeFebvre, referring to comments at the Sept. 21 meeting with the Select Board and to the Advisory Committee's written "charter' received from Barbara Caverly, noted that we also have a mandate to provide information and advice to directly to voters. He said he agrees with the Select Board's suggestion that the Committee stand and speak to each Warrant Article at Town Meeting, in addition to providing written commentary.

 

Tony Lockwood noted that acting on the Warrant Articles separately tends to blur their impact on both the Town's budget and on the requesting Department's overall spending, especially for multi-year projects.

 

Rich LeFebvre and Gail Hoffmann voiced their concerns about the way the Town is currently using the Unreserved Fund Balance, which they think should be a real "rainy day fund" rather than a slush fund to offset the impact of Warrant Articles which would probably be rejected if they had to be funded on their own merits. Those present agreed that this subject warrants further exploration and discussion.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted, Marsha Kono

 

 

Hancock Home Page – Town Documents – Hancock Advisory Committee