Personnel Update

We are pleased to announce, Barbara Peters has been hired to fill the Office Assistant position in the Town Clerk / Treasurer / Collector Office.  Barbara will begin working on February 11th.

Town Meeting Preview

FY2013 Transfers:

We will be asking for transfers from Free Cash or other funding sources into three areas for the current Fiscal Year (FY2013.)

The Town Meeting Warrant opens on January 30th and closes on March 1st.

The following is a list of potential Articles for the spring Town Meeting:

As of this writing, the Fire Department budget still is being developed.  There may be a need to ask for a Prop 2½ override to fund increases in personnel costs.  It is important to remember it is the vote at the Town election that determines whether an override passes or not.  Many towns put the override on the Town Meeting Warrant to give citizens an opportunity to discuss the proposal and ask questions.
The Health and Conservation Agent currently has a budget for per diem field inspections.  She is proposing funding for a new Assistant Conservation/Health Field Agent Part-Time Position (20 hours/week) to work for the Health and Conservation Department.  The assistant's position would witness percolation and soil testing and various conservation field work; conduct comprehensive housing inspections; inspections of semi-public pools and spas, licensed establishments, and food inspections; to handle a variety of health or conservation-related complaints, as necessary; and to assist with the administrative workload of the Conservation / Health Agent who serves as the Department Head. 
As of July 1, 2012, the Town has $1.6 Million in certified Free Cash.  Free Cash is a revenue source that results from the calculation, as of July 1st, for the Town’s remaining unrestricted funds from operations of the previous Fiscal Year based on the balance sheet as of June 30th.  It typically includes actual receipts in excess of revenue estimates and unspent amounts in departmental budget line items for the year just ending plus unexpended free cash from the previous year.  The Town may use Free Cash to support the current year's operations and as a revenue source for the ensuing year’s budget.  We plan to use $1 Million as a revenue source for the FY2014 Budget.
The front and back fences were completed last spring.  This transfer will cover the $15,000 cost to enclose the two sides of the cemetery with the same type of fencing.
The Public Safety Building has been hit repeatedly by lightning, causing extensive damage to computer and telephone equipment and putting Town staff at risk.  We engaged a consultant to assess the situation and to make recommendations for improving the electrical grounding at the building.  We will be asking for $265,000 to complete the engineering and design, to purchase a new generator and dispatch console, and for all construction costs associated with upgrading the grounding.
Along with several other Cape towns, Truro is in the process of negotiating a contract for solid-waste disposal.  Our current agreement with SEMAS runs out in 2015.  This Article would authorize the Town to negotiate a contract for ten years.  State law prohibits the Town and Board of Selectmen from entering into any contract for longer than three years without Town Meeting approval.  Funding for the new contract would be on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant and Ballot in the spring of 2014. 
Our Bond Counsel has authorized re-appropriation of these funds to purchase and install an emergency generator at the Truro Public Library.  The re-appropriation requires a Town Meeting vote.
This will be an annual Article on the Warrant.  The purpose is to set aside money to cover the cost of buying out accrued vacation and sick time for employees who might retire during the course of the Fiscal Year.  We have several long-standing employees, and this cost could be significant.  The way the Article is written, any funds not used will be returned to the stabilization fund at the end of the FY.

By-laws and Regulations:

Changes to By-law for Personnel:

Zoning By-law amendments:

                                                                                                      

Ballot Questions:

 

Sincerely,

Rex Peterson
Town Administrator
townadm@truro-ma.gov
(508) 349-7004, ext 10