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SUMMER RESIDENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Minutes of Meeting of July 10, 2009
Present: Bob Champlin, Don Edge, Kay Flynn, Jill MacDonald, Bill McGagh, Hugh Moulton, Peter Tarrant and Arnold Trebach
Guest Speaker: Selectman Sean Summers
Chairman Jill MacDonald called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM
- In his remarks, Selectman Sean Summers highlighted the on-going discussion that the Board of Selectmen has been having on the budget process. Given the likely continuing rise in budget expense, principally relating to the schools with the decline of “School Choice” funds, thought is being given to how the Board wants to proceed with the budget review. Some favor the idea of “zero based budgeting,” i.e. decide the level of government services and then calculate the cost. Another idea may be to bring in an outside expert to see if there are efficiencies that can be achieved. He requested our consideration of these issues and input. On another subject, in response to a Committee member’s questions, he indicated that there might be more opportunities for members of the
Committee to serve on other non-regulatory Town Committee.
- The minutes of the prior meeting were approved as corrected.
- Bob Champlin, Treasurer, gave the Treasurer’s report.
- In addition to the usual handouts at the Summer Town Meeting, there was discussion of having an issues survey to help the Committee identify issues of paramount importance to the summer residents. Kay Flynn volunteered to take a stab at the first draft.
- Don Edge gave an update on Smart 911. It was suggested that Don give a presentation on it at the Summer Town Meeting and he agreed to do so.
- Don Edge also advised the Committee about the Boating Safety Course to be given in the Town on July 13, 2009. There was discussion of putting the information on our website in a timely manner next year so that summer residents may be made aware of this opportunity.
- Hugh Moulton provided the Committee with an overview of Chatham’s performance against other Cape towns with respect to housing values and taxes.
- After discussion, the Committee identified two issues to take up this summer: an independent review of the town budget and the West Chatham corridor. There will be more discussion of these two issues at the next meeting.
- The meeting was adjourned at 11:20AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jill N.MacDonald, Acting Secretary
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