Article 1 was to raise money for the Fiscal Year 2009 (FY'09) deficit. A total of $1,058,977.35 had to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund ($500,000), Free Cash ($300,000), and an assortment of unspent funds from other accounts (such as prior year capital budgets).
Kudos to Precinct 4 representative Linda Tobey, who questioned some of the cuts in light of the fact that there was still $14,000 in out of state travel in the budget.
Precinct 3 representative Robert Donahue expressed his frustration over the lack of information - a frustration felt by the entire body - to those of us on the stage, "You guys have all tied our hands behind our backs."
I voted "aye"; in spite of the frustration, the article passed unanimously. After all, we had no other choice.
Article 2 would have increased the local meals tax by 0.75 percent, from 6.25 percent to 7 percent. The motion on the floor was for indefinite postponement. I voted "aye"; indefinite postponement passed without discussion.
Article 3 would have increased the local room occupancy tax by 2 percent, from 9.7 percent to 11.7 percent. Although the selectmen recommended indefinite postponement, Precinct 8 representative Ed Schmitt put a positive motion on the floor. He made such an eloquent argument in favor of increasing the tax that many town meeting representatives - myself included - broke into applause.
However, the arguments against increasing this tax at this time were more persuasive than those in favor of it. Precinct 8 representative (and Falmouth Chamber of Commerce President) Jay Zavala noted that increasing any taxes should be the last resort. Precinct 4 representative Linda Davis reminded us that a tax increase is just a, "quick fix for fundamental problems." She individually challenged the selectmen to get started on those problems and report to town meeting in the spring.
I spoke up too, reminding town meeting that if we increase taxes now there will be no incentive to control our costs, "You don't go on a diet by eating more."
I voted "no"; it failed.
Article 4 was to address the anticipated shortfalls in the FY'10 budget. Cuts totaling $2,317,127.00 needed to be made. This article generated considerable discussion, including five proposed amendments.
Precinct 9 representative Joe Netto earns kudos for grabbing the torch I had lit back in the spring, proposing to cut the selectmen/administrator out of state travel line item, which had already been cut by $2,000. After some discussion, his amendment to cut it by another $3,600 passed, 114 to 74. I voted "aye" (of course).
While she offered no amendment, Precinct 6 representative Deborah Siegal gets kudos for questioning $14,000 given to the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce. Several years ago, I raised objections to giving the Chamber - a private, member-funded organization - public funds. There is no doubt that the Chamber benefits the town, something that was reinforced when Mr. Zavala was good enough to allow me to partipate in the Chamber's "Celebrity Sundays" event. The good the Chamber does for Falmouth is tempered by the fact that no other business or business organization gets a line item in our budget. The Devil's in the details, and this is one of the sacred cows that needs to go.
Precinct 9 representative Rebecca Putnam raised concerns about the $25,000 cut to the police department's drug investigation expenses. Police chief Anthony Riello allayed some of those concerns by noting that there is $60,000 in forfeiture money (money seized during drug raids) for this purpose, so Ms. Putnam's suggested amendment to restore $5,600 failed.
With budget in hand, Precinct 9 representative Carol Murphy questioned why the personnel office had $8,000 in advertising expenses if we had a hiring freeze in place. Unsatisfied with the explanations she received, her proposed amendment to cut $5,000 from the personnel office failed.
There is out of state travel under selectmen/administrator, police, fire and the DPW. As we got to each of these budgets, Mr. Netto stood up and asked for a justification of the expense. The police and fire chiefs noted that for their departments this travel is public safety training for officers and firefighters. Precinct 4 representative and Fire Chief Paul Brodeur added, "the chief stays in town where he belongs."
This resonated. Precinct 1 representative Richard Latimer noted that we need to focus the travel on what is necessary and will benefit the town, not just someone's resume. "No junkets," he said later.
Of course, Mr. Netto's persistent questioning did start to annoy some people. Precinct 6 representative Robert Antonucci noted, "If this was the April meeting we could discuss and debate every line item." However, Precinct 9 representative Richard Goulart seemed to reflect the opposite opinion when he said, "we need more detail than just 'other expenses'."
Mr. Netto made one last pitch, this time arguing to put the $3,600 cut from out of state travel toward the shellfish propagation. He argued that this put food on the table for many Falmouth residents. Precinct 4 representative Grace O'Gorman disagreed, noting that "we're robbing Peter to pay Paul." The amendment failed.
Precinct 8 representative Leslie Lichtenstein gets kudos for her amendment to put the $3,600 cut from out of state travel into the stabilitzation (i.e., rainy day) fund. I voted "aye"; it earned the required 2/3rds and passed.
For the article, I voted "aye"; it passed unanimously.
Article 5 was a petitioner's article by Marc Finneran (and others) requesting an independent audit of the Department of Public Works.
Taking aim at his detractors, Mr. Finneran pointed out that getting his article on the warrant for this town meeting was not easy. He had to collect 100 signatures in less than 48 hours; he got 138 (137 were verified). He went on to remind us that audits are common practice in the private sector; that an audit of a $30 million division is good business practice.
Unfortunately, some of those detractors repeatedly raised points of order where none existed. While trying to draw an analogy with the high school, Mr. Finneran was unfairly interrupted. Unfortunately, the tactic worked, and he moved on to his next slide.
Reminding us of the Ballymeade water problems heard at the Monday night selectmen's meeting, Mr. Finneran noted that our 5-year old, $5 million water tower is 35 feet too short. If we cannot properly manage a $5 million project, he said, how will this department manage a $500 million sewer project?
Audits are always a good idea, and even the DPW - speaking through acting Town Engineer Peter McConarty - said it had no objections. However, there was no money in the budget for this request. I voted "no"; it failed.
Article 6 was the housekeeping article. I voted "aye"; it passed.
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