TOWN OF KINGSTON Finance Committee 26 Evergreen Street Kingston, MA March 27, 2017 Minutes

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1 March 27, 2017 Minutes Chairman Mary MacKinnon opened the meeting of the at 6:30 PM in Room 203 Town Hall. Other members present were Karen Joyce, Carl Pike and Dana Atanian, Andrew McKenna, and Jeff Keating. Fred Hughes were absent. Also attending were Treasurer Kenneth Stevens, Finance Director Arti Mehta, Elaine Fiore, Jean Landis-Nauman and Peter Boncek. Highway Superintendent Paul Basler attended for his budgets. Dana Atanian was the liaison. Snow and Ice: There is a $40,000 increase in equipment rental and a $25,000 increase in salt and sand. The equipment rental line is for hired contractors and is based on historic averages of actual costs. Small trucks cost $70 per hour and the six wheel sanders cost $130 per hour. The sand and salt line increase was also based on historic use. The new section of the salt shed has been completed. This has increased storage capacity by about one third. The State allows this budget to be deficit spent. Currently the Snow and Ice budget has a $150,000 deficit for FY17. It was noted that if this budget is cut in one year, you cannot deficit spend the next year. Carl Pike suggests reducing the increase of operating expenses by $40,000 for a new budget total of $320,000. Upon a motion made by Carl Pike and seconded by Andrew McKenna, it was VOTED: to recommend funding the Snow and Ice budget in the amounts of $70,000 Personal Service and $250,000 Other Expenses for a total of $320,000. Street Lighting: The FY18 budget presented is level funded. The year to date budget was reviewed and it was suggested to reduce this budget by $2,000. Upon a motion made by Carl Pike and seconded by Andrew McKenna it was VOTED: to recommend funding the Street Lighting budget in the amount of $38,000. Solid Waste: The increases in personal services are all contractual. The overtime line is for weekend vacation time coverage. Increases in operating expenses in recycling are due to disposal costs for electronics. Rubbish removal cost increase is due to contract increase from $72 per ton to $73.20 per ton. Per Mr Basler, town is seeing an increase in recyclcing. The increase in recycling means reduced amounts of trash are going in the compactor, but it also means increased tractor trailer loads of recyclables to be transported. The SEMASS contract expires in The Minutes 3/27/17 Page 1

2 Superintendent recommends that sticker prices remain the same at $180 per household and $90 for seniors. 4,092 stickers were sold this year. South Shore recycling received a grant that will provide recycling education to Kingston residents. The Superintendent is researching a new C & D programs for local contractors. The average house produces 1 ton of trash per year. The base fee to dispose of 1 ton of trash at SEMASS is $73.20 in FY18. But you also need to factor in the cost of running the transfer station and the transport/disposal of the trash to develop the sticker price. Upon a motion made by Carl Pike and seconded by Karen Joyce it was VOTED: to recommend funded the Solid Waste budget in the amounts of $178,441 Personal Services and $370, 690 Other Expenses for a total of $549, 131. Streets, Trees and Parks: The open town mechanic position is being reviewed by Human Resources. Ms MacKinnon questioned whether the town is considering hiring an ASE/EVT certified mechanic as has been hinted. These certifications would raise the rate/cost of the town mechanic position. Ms MacKinnon spoke with the Acting Fire Chief about this to get a cost analysis of how much we spend in send-out repairs vs what it would cost to do in-house. Can our existing equipment even handle lifting the engines? Mr Basler confirmed that the water would need to be emptied from ladder trucks before each repair. May cause future expense with upgrading the lift system. Under Other Expenses, professional technical services includes $6,000 for Opticon which is a street light apparatus that would allow emergency vehicles approaching an intersection to change the street light for safer crossing. There was a question of it this item belongs in the Street Trees and Parks budget. Mr Basler explained this $6,000 is only to study and get an estimate for a replacement system. Vehicle parts line increased to $30,000 as electronic diagnostic equipment will be needed. Contract surfacing increased to $100,000 for asphalt. Town accepted roads were discussed. The MBTA want s the town to accept Marion Drive and Gallon Way at town meeting this spring. Carl Pike proposed the following reductions to the requested budget: Line Contract Resurfacing to $90,000; Line Professional Technical services to $6,500; Line Equipment Repair supplies to $18,000; Line Vehicle parts/ accessories to $28,000 for a new total Other Expenses of $283,625. Upon a motion made by Carl Pike and seconded by Dana Atanian it was VOTED: to recommend funding the Streets, Trees and Parks budget in the amounts of $667,516 Personal Services and $283,625 Other Expenses for a total of $951,141. Supt. Basler thanked the committee for their time. Facilities: Minutes 3/27/17 Page 2

3 Facilities Manager Brad Norman attended. Carl Pike and Mary MacKinnon were liaisons. Personal Services now include custodial services from Town Hall, COA and Reed. The only changes here were contractual. In Other Expenses the $125,000 Electricity line covers all town costs and these bills all funnel through Brad s office. Land Management expense is for signage and fencing in conjunction with Conservation Commission. The Equipment Lease/Purchase is for items needed at Opachinski and Hall properties not managed by the Recreation Department. Brad is doing an equipment assessment and small equipment will be leased to own. The following line item changes were made: Line Fuel to $57,000; Line Sewer to $8,270; Line Property Repairs to $150,000: Line Contract Services increased to $15,000; Line Equipment Rental $6,000; Line Training Seminars to $1,000; Line Tools to $1,500; Line Travel/ Meetings to $1,500; Line Land Management to $5,500; Line Equipment Lease and Purchase. $7,500 for a new Operating Expense total of $392,270. Upon a motion made by Carl Pike and seconded by Dana Atanian it was VOTED: to recommend funding the Facilities budget in the amounts of $218,596 Personal Services and $392,270 Other Expenses for a total of $610,866. Recreation: Susan Woodworth attended. Dana Atanian is her liaison. Under Personal Services the custodians have been moved to the Facilities budget. The casual position remains with the Rec. Dept. Operating Expenses are level funded and sewer has also moved to Facilities. Field maintenance costs of $25,000 were paid from Free Cash last year with work started last fall and continuing this spring. The total projected cost is paid from free cash $25,000; the operating budget Line $26,000; the cell tower lease and KYSO fees of $42,100. Dana Atanian asked for monthly reports on the Recreation Departments Revolving Fund and KYSO receipts. The Grays Beach coastal restoration project will correct the storm damage from three years ago to the retaining wall around the concession stand. The project will eliminate the stone retaining wall and move the concession stand building. There were discussion about using the possibility of using food trucks at Grays Beach leaving the building for restrooms and storage. A matching grant has been written by Maureen Thomas and Sue Woodworth for $300,000. Line Uniforms (for summer staff- not custodians) was reduced to $1,000. Upon a motion made by Carl pike and seconded by Karen Joyce it was VOTED: to recommend funding the Recreation budget in the amounts of $179,881 Personal Services and $55,875 Other Expenses for a total of $235,756. Assessors: Assistant Assessor Holly Merry and Assessor Andrew MacInnis attended. The line item in question to hook GIS up to Vision has now been moved to the IT budget and the committee has no questions for the Assessors. They were thanked for coming. Minutes 3/27/17 Page 3

4 Board of Health: This budget is level services. Under Personal Services, due to a clerical retirement and a new hire filling that position, there is a reduction in Line to $35,189.The Food inspector has a separate line item. The overtime line is for the administrative assistant to attend evening meetings. Upon a motion made by Carl Pike and seconded by Andrew McKenna it was VOTED: to recommend funding the Board of Health budget in the amounts of $117,365 Personal Services and $16,525 Other Expenses for a total of $133,890. Information Technology: Arti Mehta gave the Chair a handout on the IT budget for next week s meeting. General Operating: This budget was formerly called Care of Muni. The Line Telephone $30,000 was questioned. IT is installing new phone lines throughout town. Question was if this line should be on the IT or Facilities budget. Line Gasoline was reduced to $130,000. Question if the gasoline was on the Facilities budget. Hold until next week. CPC: A appointee or designee is needed to serve on the CPC. Recommendations are being sought. An appointment date needs to be made to review ATM articles and the CPC budget. Affordable Housing Trust: Their chair has asked for an appointment to discuss the warrant article. Tentatively set for April 10 th Secretary will confirm. Saxon Partners: The Representative of Saxon Partners would like to do a presentation for Fin Com on the zoning article for the Kingston Commerce Center. An appointment will be set up. Employee Benefits: Ken Stevens has a final Group Health cost of $2,937,885. Network blue and Harvard Pilgrim both saw 16% increases. Medicare Plans will be going to a calendar year next January and Ken will have to determine the split costs for the fiscal year. Carl Pike said that medical insurance is one thing the Town has to find a way to control costs. If employees had to pick up 45% or 50% of the cost it would save the Town money. Ken Stevens noted that most Towns pay a higher percentage than Kingston. Plymouth for example pay 90% of the premiums. The impact of retirees and elected officials on this budget was briefly discussed. Minutes 3/27/17 Page 4

5 Upon a motion made by Mary MacKinnon and seconded by Andrew McKenna it was VOTED: to recommend funding Employee Benefits in the amounts of $5,446,377 Personal Services and $77,600 Other Expenses for a total of $5,523, (Carl Pike opposed) Fire Dept: An appointment needs to be confirmed. Calendar: The next meetings will be April 3 and 10 th. The committee will meet with the Board of Selectmen Wednesday April 12 th. There being no further discussion or vote, Upon a motion made by Carl Pike and seconded by Dana Atanian, it was VOTED: to adjourn at 9:20pm. Respectfully Submitted, Diane M. Poirier March 27, 2017 Documents: Renewable Energy budget Health Insurance Facilities budget Minutes 3/27/17 Page 5