SUMMER RESIDENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Chatham, Massachusetts
Minutes of Meeting of June 26, 2009
Present: Bob Champlin, Don Edge, Kay Flynn, Jill MacDonald, Katherine Malfa, Hugh Moulton, Philip Richardson and Peter Tarrant
Guests Speakers: William Hinchey, Town Manager and Jennifer Petit, Financial Director
Chairman Jill MacDonald called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.
1. The Committee approved the minutes of the previous meeting held on August 22, 2008.
2. Town Manager Hinchey provided an overview of issues facing the town and answered questions from Committee members and members of the public who attended the meeting. Hinchey noted that this was a challenging year for the town and that government funding is always under duress when there is an economic downturn. Hinchey further explained that the town’s finances are in good shape because of planning that has been done, including a series of meetings held last summer with the Finance Committee, focusing on what size government the town wants and what services the town wants the government to provide. Hinchey stated that the Board of Selectmen will broaden the time horizon for budget planning and that meetings over the summer will provide the Board the opportunity to obtain an accurate
assessment of the town’s finances and prioritize items. The first meeting will be held after the July 4th Holiday. While Chatham shrunk its budget and lost about 5% of its employees through attrition, the town overwhelmingly supported the wastewater project. The town is seeking to complete in 9 months what was initially planned for a 2 year horizon in order to be in a position to put out bids in a timely manner to obtain stimulus funding.
Hinchey stated that 350 people voted against the budget and that usually, at most, one or two people vote against the budget. He further stated that there is a need to further shrink the budget and in fiscal year 2011, we may see a service loss since we have already have decreased costs, through, e.g, attrition. Hinchey explained that the biggest challenge for any community is school funding and the town is looking at other revenue sources such as increasing the hotel/motel tax by 2% and expanding the application of that tax to home rentals for 90 days or less. Hinchey noted that for any service, the following questions must be answered: (i) do you want the service; (ii) do you think the budget is controlled; and (iii) how do you want to pay for it.
Hugh Moulton praised Hinchey’s effectiveness in managing town finances, noting among many accomplishments that the town recently refinanced $250,000 at 2 ½%. There was also discussion about (i) the interaction between the town and state regarding the proposed changes to Route 28; (ii) the new plan to provide increased safeguards at Lighthouse Beach; (iii) town owned buildings and the highest best use of those buildings; (iv) the progress that has been made in mapping all 3000 moorings; and (v) the alternatives available for management of the golf course.
3. Bob Champlin, Treasurer, gave an update on the Committee’s budget.
4. Jill informed the Committee members that Kathy Abib, Secretary, has agreed to remain on the Committee but may not be able to attend certain meetings and that Katherine Malfa agreed to keep minutes of the meetings in her absence. Jill also informed the Committee that Nell Pinckert and Associate Member Bob Young have resigned from the Committee.
5. Jill MacDonald, Chair, updated the Committee on the plans for the Fourth of July parade and the Summer Town Meeting. Jill informed the Committee that the Hook Fishermen’s Association requested an opportunity to speak at the Summer Town Meeting. After discussion, the Committee determined that representatives of outside groups would not be permitted to speak at the meeting, but would be encouraged to provide informational handouts that we will make available to all attendees.
6. The Committee discussed a number of issues facing the town, including budget and zoning issues. Discussion will continue at the next meeting in an effort to select one or two issues that the Committee will focus on.
Respectfully submitted,
Katherine Malfa
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