Recap
- Organization voting process to elect Chair - Bill Dowd, Vice-chair - George COnley, and Clerk - Nicole Corbiseiro
- Discussion on minor updates to the Management Plan last updated Dec 2000 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/plan.pdf Included in the discussion, how to organize and cover departments to better understand the details of their budgets and operations. Modifications approved to document by 8-0 vote, corrected copy to be posted to FinCom page
- Update on fiscal status provided by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, clarification questions asked
- Discussion on a series of topics to be covered per meeting and a more regular set of meetings. Next meeting Nov 17, followed by Dec 15. In 2021, Weds evenings opposite from the Town Council schedule (1 and 3 Weds) to be determined for balance of year and published.
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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
The Twitter hashtag can be found online #fincom1006
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fincom1006&src=typeahead_click
- Getting ready to real time reporting for the Finance Committee meeting #fincom1006 agenda and connection info contained within https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2020-10-06_finance_committee_meeting_agenda_web_1.pdf
- Meeting opening protocol message announced by current Chair Bill Dowd #fincom1006
- Nomination for Chair - Bill Dowd seconded, passed 8-0; nomination for vice-chair, George Conley, seconded, passed 8-0; nomination for Clerk Nicole Corbiseiro passed 8-0 #fincom1006
- Discussion on how to align within Committee to cover the department budgets appropriately #fincom1006 involvement will be important,for example the SchComm is new, they welcomed the help
- Sometime they are the "forgotten" Committee, meet more regularly, get a budget status for that moment for the meeting, not just the finance measures needing approval #fincom1006 last meeting was Jun 4, 2020
- For my point of view, with all due respect, they are a very important group, especially since Town Council chooses to minimize their time on then real details #fincom1006
- Document of financial policy with proposed changes to structure alignment of Committee for department coverage, approved 8-0, changes to be made to web page #fincom1006
- Document of financial policy with proposed changes to structure alignment of Committee for department coverage, approved 8-0, changes to be made to web page #fincom1006
- Hellen's comments on chances of Fed help will be if the state and local aid is removed from the package; hearing about P45's tweet earlier today makes that quite likely a scenario #fincom1006 if anything comes from WDC
- Clarification questions on Fed, CARES, and FEMA numbers; how do they all add up? What is allocated is not yet fully spent. #fincom1006 all in about $4.5 when all is spent for COVID. Safe buildings will be a good thing (i.e. HVAC units updates)
- UV filtering will be permanent in each building in the return ducts. Approx $40k for the Municipal bldg, approx $100k for FHS as it was built for it, library and senior center also reasonable as there were renovations recently. #fincom1006 COVID money separate from Ops acctg
- 5 vacancy at DPW, most about to be filled, will get some savings from that opening; do need to prep for snow season. Will need snow contractors this year! #fincom1006 some furloughed library workers rehired for election prep, some at senior center furloughed
- Senior Center furloughs not back due to funding process ( i.e. revolving account) these savings could end up in free cash although they will also likely end up helping us avoid cuts later this year. #fincom1006
- Discussion on recurring meetings, Tuesday or off Wednesday (opposite the Council) could also go Thursday alternate with ZBA and Conservation Committee #fincom1006 slowly bringing the bodies back into the Council chambers for meetings
- Targeting for Nov 17, and then Dec 15 for next FinCom meetings #fincom1006 for 2021 alternate Weds with the Town Council. Motion to adjourn. That's all for tonight catch you next time
Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found
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| Meeting opening protocol message announced by current Chair Bill Dowd |
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