CHATHAM FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS TONIGHT AT 7
The Finance Committee continues its review of the budget and the articles to be included in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting and Election (May 11 and 14). The Committee meets in the downstairs meeting room at Town Hall and the meeting will be broadcast on Channel 18 live and be available for on demand viewing on the town website tomorrow.
In the FY2010 budget reviewed by the Finance Committee, Chatham school personnel are scheduled to receive pay raises ranging as high as 6 percent and in one case, 8%. The School Department and the School Committee would not make any significant reductions in their overall departmental 8% spending increase request. The school union declined to agree to the Selectmen’s request for a voluntary price freeze; the union’s request that the Selectmen withdraw its request for a voluntary freeze was refused by the Selectmen at its regular Tuesday meeting.
Members of the Chatham Finance Committee have expressed concern that overspending in worsening financial conditions in fiscal year 2010 (beginning July 1) might lead to layoffs if monies aren’t saved from pay raises or other items to deal with revenue shortfalls. A significant part of Chatham town revenues to support the town budget depends on hotel/motel taxes, motor vehicle taxes and such charges as mooring fees. That led them to reject the proposed budget.
As for tonight's meeting, here is the agenda prepared by Chairman Coleman Yeaw:
Chatham Finance Committee
Meeting Agenda
Date: March 19, 2009
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Town Hall
1. Call to Order
2. Approve Minutes of 3/5 & 3/12 Meetings
3. Review Article 11 – Transfer Station Trailers
4. Review Article 12 – Beach Rake (if voted 3/17)
5. Review Article 13 – Water 5 Year Capital
6. Review Article 14 - Waste Water Bonding
7. Review Article 15 - CP - Preservation of J. Nick. papers
8. Review Article 16 – CP – Library stairs
9. Review Article 17 – CP – Open Space Reserve
10. Review Article 18 – CP – Administrative Costs
11. Review Article 19 – CP – Budget Reserve
12. Review Article 20 – CP – Affordable Housing
13. Review Article 21 – MCI Lease
14. Review Article 22 – to be heard by BOS 3/24
15. Review Article 23 – Public Ceremonies
16. Review Article 24 – Drainage Easements
17. Review Article 25 – Road Takings – BOS 3/17
18. Review Article 26 – Grange gift – BOS 3/17
19. Review Article 27 – Eliphalet’s Lane – BOS 3/17
20. Review Article 28 – PD/Annex Petition – BOS 3/17
21. Discuss Selectmen’s Meeting Monday, March 23 @ 5:30
22. Discuss Warrant Report
