1. CALL TO ORDER

Council President deMedeiros called the meeting to order at approximately 7:00 pm

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

3. ROLL CALL

Members present: Council President deMedeiros, Council Vice-President Burk, Council Edwards, Councilor Janick, Councilor Cook, Councilor Perry and Councilor Vieira.

Town Administrator Cotta and Clerk Chabot were present.

4. OPEN SESSION

1. Overall Discussion, Review, and Potential Preliminary Votes on FY 2021/2022 Budget, including individual line items and capital expenses as previously submitted by Town Administrator,

Including not limited to:

a. Tax Collector

b. Tax Assessor

c. Town Hall Operating Expenses

d. Town Administrator

e. Planning Board

f. Land Use

g. Zoning Board of Review

Tax Collector McGowan joined the meeting.

Councilor deMedeiros noted that the Tax Collector budget is basically flat, except for Department Management salary.

Town Administrator Cotta reviewed the reasoning for Tax Collector McGowan to increase hours to full time, including current hours worked, upcoming staff retirement, new system installation and training needs.

Various aspects of going full time and retirement impact were discussed.

Tax Collector McGowan answered question on various line items.

New system was discussed for impacts & cost, including learning curve for staff.

Councilor Vieira motioned to approve Tax Collector Account 2150 Budget Total of $164,651, seconded by Councilor Perry. The motion unanimously passed.

Tax Assessor Robert joined the meeting.

Tax Assessor Robert presented the Tax Assessor and Revaluation Budget requests to the council. He reviewed his operating expenses and answered questions on various line items.

He explained how the Revaluation Restricted account builds over time to handle statistical updates and full revaluation costs. Statistical updates only reimbursed 60% from state. Current full revaluation contract cost is $286,000, which is 50% completed.

He explained that capital request for the new system would be shared, having separate modules for tax assessors and tax collection. Cost would be $40,000 per year for two years, with total cost of $80,000.

Councilor Edwards motioned to approve Tax Assessor Account 2120 Budget Total of $171,017, seconded by Councilor Vieira. The motion unanimously passed.

Councilor Edwards motioned to approve Revaluation Account 2130 Budget Total of $55,000, seconded by Councilor Perry. The motion unanimously passed.

Councilor Edwards motioned to approve Software Upgrade for Collection and Assessor’s Office of $40,000, seconded by Councilor Janick. The motion unanimously passed.

Tax Assessor Robert and Tax Collector McGowan exited meeting.

Town Administrator Cotta requested a flat budget for Town Hall Operating Expenses.

Councilor Janick motioned to approve Town Hall Operating Expenses Account 1040 Budget Total of $26,700, seconded by Councilor Burk. The motion unanimously passed.

Town Administrator Cotta reviewed the Town Administrator budget request with minor updates and highlighted the Zoom and IT Services cost estimate.

Councilor Vieira motioned to approve Town Administrator Account 1120 Budget Total of $204,215, seconded by Councilor Edwards. The motion unanimously passed.

Planner Board Chairperson Gill joined the meeting.

For Planning Board budget request, Chairperson Gill explained the $3,000 request was for advertising the Subdivision Regulations Amendments and the $10,000 request was for Steere Engineering to attend Planning Board and Zoning Board of Review meetings.

Councilor Janick motioned to approve Planning Board Account 1070 Budget Total of $13,000, seconded by Councilor Cook. The motion unanimously passed.

Planner Board Chairperson Gill exited the meeting.

Planner Siciliano and Building Official Moore joined the meeting.

For the Land Use Budget request, Town Administrator Cotta modified the Salary line items for Planner and Building Official, with new total of $311,100. He will review these contract items and the salaries will be included in Council Contingency.

Councilor Janick motioned to approve Land Use Account 1140 Budget Total of $311,100, seconded by Councilor Burk. The motion unanimously passed.

Zoning Board of Review budget request is specifically for the required stenographer.

Councilor Janick motioned to approve Zoning Board of Review Account 1080 Budget Total of $4,500, seconded by Councilor Perry. The motion unanimously passed.

Planner Siciliano and Building Official Moore exited meeting.

2. Planning for future FY 2021/2022 Budget Reviews

Councilors agreed the special meeting scheduled for February 20, 2021 will start at 10:30 am.

Focus will be on Library Services, Harbor & Coastal Management Commission, Associated Activities (includes Senior Citizens Service, Economic Development Commission & Boards and Commissions), Civic Appropriations, Town Council and Public Works Department.

The next regular meeting on February 22, 2021 will have agenda item to focus on Police, Fire and Legal Services.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Councilor Perry motioned to adjourn, seconded by Councilor Vieira. The motion passed unanimously by hand vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:03pm.

For full discussion of this special meeting, please refer to the video.

A True Copy.

ATTEST_________________________

                 Joan B. Chabot, Town Clerk