Town of Aquinnah

Finance Committee Meeting Minutes of Meeting 7/15/2019 Aquinnah Town Hall Selectmen’s Meeting Room Members present: Chairman Allen Rugg, Tom Murphy, Mark Foster Also present: Town Administrator Jeffrey Madison, Town Accountant Emily Day - The meeting began at 9:30am. - First on the agenda was the review of minutes. Tom moved to approve the 4/19/19 minutes as presented. Motion was seconded by Allen. The Committee voted 2-0-1, the motion passed. - Next, the Committee reviewed year-end budget transfers. Emily noted that the overall buffer for the town budget is shrinking. Advertising, data processing and public work budgets have consistently been over budget every year and should be addressed in the coming budgeting season. Emily presented two Fin Comm reserve fund transfer requests: $1,000 for the Board of Health Clerk wages (Fin Comm had approved the request earlier in the year) and $25,000 for legal fees (Tribe casino injunction litigation). Tom moved to approve the $1,000 Board of Health Clerk wage transfer. Motion was seconded by Mark. The Committee voted 3-0, the motion passed. The Committee voiced concern with the $25,000 legal fees transfer and urged that the town get clarity on the legal agreement/obligation moving forward. Jeffrey informed the Committee that the Selectmen entered an agreement with Legal Counsel capping the fees for the casino litigation at $25,000 and anything more will be billed moderately. The Committee requested that Jeffrey coammunicate their concern to the Selectmen. After further discussion, Tom moved to approve the $25,000 legal fee transfer. Motion was seconded by Mark. The Committee voted 3-0, the motion passed. The Committee reviewed the general appropriation transfer form outlining accounts that came in under and over budget. Last year, the total of overextended accounts was approx. $60,000 - $70,000. This year, the total of overextended accounts is approx. $102,000. Emily noted that much of the overage is due to public works. Allen moved to approve the year-end general appropriation transfer. Motion was seconded by Mark. The Committee voted 3-0, the motion passed. - Jeffrey discussed the need for addressing the long-deferred town maintenance issues. He informed the Committee that he will be bringing the Campus Planning Committee back together, with Selectmen approval, to address space issues but wanted to inform the Fin Comm that these issues will need to be addressed in the coming budget season. Fin Comm noted that, without concreate proposals and or plans, they cannot make any decisions but thanked Jeffrey for the heads up and will wait to hear from the Selectmen on the matter. There was brief discussion regarding the FY’15 audit to be completed this coming week. The FY’15 audit has been paid in full and will not require FY’20 funds for payment. - With no other business to discuss, a motion was made and seconded to adjourn. The Committee voted 3-0 in favor. The motion passed. The meeting ended at 10:00am Respectfully submitted, Sophia Welch, Board Administrative Assistant