Robbing Peter to pay Paul

As I have posted before, there is move afoot to fund the school budget from sources other than the appropriation at Town Meeting. Specifically, the discussion is to use any remaining balance in the FY08 Reserve Fund for the school's textbook and technology needs in FY09. This idea has now reached the stage...


...where may be put to a "sense of Town Meeting" vote at the Town Meeting next week. The following is my comment to the Finance Committee on the idea of using those monies.

As you all know, both the Select Board and Finance Committee have adopted policies (as recommended by the state DOR in their report last year) that one time non-recurring revenue would not be used to fund recurring expense. Here are some excerpts from the Finance Committee policy:

"It is the primary goal of the Dartmouth Finance Committee to ensure that budgets are fiscally responsible and sustainable"

"The largest problem area has been the trend of increasing reliance on one time revenues to pay for recurrent operating budgets"

"One time revenues should only be applied to: Capital improvements, property acquisitions, contributions to the stabilization fund and single year casualties"

"Budgets established in the spring town meeting should be considered to be "fully funded.""

In my opinion, the possible remainder in the Reserve Fund is not recurring revenue (Can anyone predict the amount that will remain at the end of FY09?) and the needs for books and technology in the school department is a recurring expense. While the Finance Committee is within its authority to provide these funds (assuming a request is made from the school department), I think we need to openly acknowledge that we are going to violate the policy as it now exists. Some may try to characterize this as not being the case, but I, for one, will call a spade, a spade.

Additionally, the school department has not taken steps to solve this problem within their budget. The DOE foundation budget calculation sets out a recommended spending amount for the Dartmouth schools for instructional materials and technology. The result of that calculation comes to $1.9 million dollars. Those interested can find the DOE information at this link. As far as I can determine, the school department budgets a small fraction of that amount. That is their prerogative, of course. The FY09 school budget does not adequately plan to update their instructional materials and technology while it does fund extracurricular activities, new positions, etc. Providing the Reserve Fund remainder to provide instructional materials and technology while the money needed to fund ongoing replacement of these items is spent elsewhere in the school budget is precisely the outcome that the adopted policy sought to prevent. The budget is not sustainable! Should we throw a patch at it and hope, or take steps to correct the root problem? I am for the latter. If this comes before the Town Meeting next week, I will speak against it for the reasons as stated here

As always, I welcome your feedback in comments

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More override news

Curt Brown at the Standard Times has more on his blog on a movement to ask for an override on the November ballot. Mr Michaud is quoted as saying ...

... money could be transferred from the Reserve account to fund textbooks and technology at the schools ahead of a November override question. This idea flies in the face of the policy adopted by the Select Board and Finance Committee last year that one time revenue would not be used to fund continuing operations. This policy was adopted from the state Department of Revenue recommendations to the town last year. In fairness to Mr. Michaud, he states this is all in the talking stage, no definite proposals have been formulated.
This Reserve fund transfer and override idea sounds similar to one I have previously addressed here I still think it is a bad idea. The school department is going to be funded at minimum required net school spending for the foreseeable future. I believe that the needs for textbooks and technology must to be funded before lower priority items. I don't think the recently presented school budget addresses the needs for books and computers. If the school department doesn't think it is critical enough to fund in their budget, why should taxpayers feel it is important enough to warrant an override tax increase? It comes down to a question of priorities. I have posted about that here and here.
What are your thoughts? Has the school department adequately addressed the need for books and computers in their budget for next year? Click here to read on!

Fall override

Curt Brown has a post at his blog about plans for an override question on the November ballot. The Select Board has not discussed an override except for a passing reference by the Executive Administrator that such a question has allowed to be placed on the ballot. Several School Committee members ...

... have indicated that they would not support such a move. See Phil Lenz's blog here. Judging from the thoroughly unscientific poll on this blog, it would not seem to have enough support to pass. Raising taxes during an economic downturn is always tough to do.
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Syracuse 13 -Johns Hopkins 10

Tenth National Div 1 lacrosse title for SU. Played at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro before an record crowd of 48,000+. The 2009 NCAA Men's lacrosse finals...

...will return to Gillette Memorial Day weekend next year. This was a great weekend of lacrosse. Don't miss it in 2009. See you there!
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Town Meeting warrant and information

The warrant for the annual Spring Town Meeting to be held on June 3rd starting at 9AM at the Dartmouth Middle School auditorium can be found here. Dartmouth Community television will broadcast an informational program reviewing the warrant with Mr Gagne, the town administrator, and Mr Iacaponi, the Budget Director. Mr Barbero of the Dartmouth Wanderers will host the program. Broadcast schedule can be found here. The budget on Schedule A ...

...can be found at this link. My post about how the budgeting process works can be found here.
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Run for Dave Saturday! Walk for education 6/14

The fundraising race for Dartmouth Police officer, David Mello, is today at 9AM at Dartmouth High School on Bakerville Road. You can participate in a 5K race, or walk the track. See you there!
The Dartmouth Education Foundation also will have a fundraising walk for education on June 14th, 10-12 at...

...the Dartmouth Middle School. Register online here or call 508-993-7194, Maureen Jones. First 100 registrants receive a T-shirt!
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Finance Comittee meeting

The Finance Committee met with representatives of the Library Trustees for further discussion of the FY09 operating budget. The Finance Committee had concerns about the sustainability of hiring three additional people for the library staff. Ultimately, the decision was made to fund one position for a Library Assistant and provide additional funds to extend the hours of the present staff. Many of the current staff work a 35 hour week. The staff can work up to 40 hours...

...without the town paying time and a half. While the Trustees do not have a commitment from the staff to do that, the Finance Committee felt it was preferable to extend those hours or hire temps rather than fund new positions.
The decision on the library funding finished up the Finance Committees review of Schedule A (the budget) for Town Meeting. The Committee voted unanimously to approve.
The Finance Committee was split on whether to fund administration costs from Community Preservation Act monies for an affordable housing program that provides grants for fix up of existing homes . They voted 5-4 not to recommend.
The Town Meeting articles for zoning of business apartments were reviewed after the Town Counsel changes. The vote was to recommend these.
A proposal to include the $1.3 million dollar cost for replacement of the Quinn School windows will be recommended from the floor at Town Meeting. Finance Committee chairman Mr Friedman will meet with the Capital Improvement Planning board to review the numbers on potential savings. The project in contingent upon securing state reimbursement for at least 50% of the cost.
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Senator Kennedy diagnosed with tumor

Senator Ted Kennedy was recently admitted to the hospital with a seizure and today's news is that he has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Link to story here Click here to read on!

Town cars questioned

I had an email about the vehicles on the spring Town Meeting warrant for Town Hall use. The question that asked was, "Who are they for?"
The replacement vehicles on the warrant for Town Hall are 2 Ford Focus' (28MPG) and a Ford Escape (26MPG) that will be used to replace old Crown Victorias (14MPG) that were passed down from the police department and an Explorer (14MPG). The Focus has better gas mileage and the old cars are worn out and costly to maintain. These cars are going to be used by the building department inspectors (now driving a 1994 Crown Vic former police car)...

...the health inspectors, and the Conservation agent (Escape replacing an Explorer). The Explorer will be passed down to the Harbormaster. Also please note that these requests are being funded from the tax levy which I think is the proper way to go about it, rather than borrowing for these relatively short lived assets
They are not for the top administrators.
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What part of NO don't you get?

The Chronicle featured an opinion letter from Ellen Hamilton proposing a raid on the Reserve Fund with the help of the Finance Committee, a raid of the Stabilization Fund at the spring Town Meeting, and yet another override request for the November ballot. All to fund textbooks for the schools. I think these are all spectacularly bad ideas. Both the Finance Committee and Select Board have set policies that the town not use "one time revenue" (Reserve Fund remainder) for continuing expenses (textbooks) The Finance Committee has the authority to transfer the money if a majority agree, but let's not kid ourselves about what is being done. If the Finance Committee wants ...

... to transfer the funds, then they should at least acknowledge that they are taking an exception for this spending from the stated policy. As far as raiding the Stabilization Fund, the bar is pretty high as a 2/3 vote is required for use of the fund, and once again, we are using "one time revenue" for "continuing expense."
We have had 2 override requests turned away by the voters within the past year, I don't see any point in going back in November. The school department is getting $1.625 million more next year than this. They need to come up with a plan to get students the books that they need without resorting to an override.
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A couple of numbers that make me shake my head

A couple of numbers have come to my attention that don't seem realistic to me. The Standard Times reported that estimates of the cost to move a modular classroom across town are nearly $250K. Details here.
Then I heard from a member of the Privatization Study Committee that it costs $140K to produce the absolutely horrible,..............

.............. cheap, weak Official Dartmouth PAYT trash bags. I am talking about the cost to produce them so that we can give them to retailers for sale and distribution.

Both these numbers seem suspect to me. If readers here have any knowledge in these areas, I'd appreciate hearing from you in comments.
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Finalists selected for Ass't School Superintendent

Curt Brown has news of the two finalists on his blog here at the Standard Times website. Click here to read on!

Capital spending for books nixed.

The Capital Improvement Committee report to the Finance Committee noted that the schools request for $667K for books and technology does not "meet the level of a capital need." Nonetheless, there was some discussion about..........

.............finding some money from unspent reserves in the Town budget from FY08 to provide for this request. The Finance Committee was divided on whether or not any funds will remain in the Reserve Fund at the end of the fiscal year. The general feeling seemed to me to support provision of some funds. The question is what is available. Some members felt $100-200K may remain and could be added to any unspent school department funds to get a start on text book replacement.
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Library salary questioned?

At last Thursday's Finance Committee meeting, the Library Board of Trustees was asked how they could offer the Library Director a retroactive raise and COLA since the money was not appropriated for that by Town Meeting. I think that is a valid and interesting question. Generally, the contract terms for these ..............

...................personal contracts contain language which says that the compensation is dependent upon appropriation by Town Meeting. So that question is, "Can the Library Board enter into a contract that pays more than the Town Meeting vote provided?" I am going to try to get an answer and will post my findings here.
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Select Board meeting, May 12-6:30 PM

The Select Board will meet on Monday, May 12 at 6:30PM. The agenda is
1. Consideration of 1 day licenses for alcohol at Holy Ghost grounds for various days
2. Meeting the Atty Thomas and Bank Five regarding the Housing Program
3. Renewal applications for City View for food and amusement licenses
4. NStar applications for work at Cleveland St., Wilson, St, Delano WaY, Chestut St. Harbor St, Russells Mills Road and Huntington Ave.
5. Appointment of two members to the Council on Aging
6. Appointment to the Historical Commission
7. Appointment of a Select Board member to the Bristol County Commission Advisory Board

I will make a motion to allow the opublic to raise issues at the end of the meeting

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Finance Committee meeting tonight 5/8

The Finance Committee will meet tonight in Room 315 at the Town Hall. The meeting starts at 7PM. The agenda includes a meeting with the Library Trustees, recommendations on Town Meeting articles, and the FY09 budget. It may last until..........

................10PM in order to get all the Finance Committee business done before the June Town Meeting. Kudos to our hard working Finance Committee for the great service that they provide to the town.
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Pay As You Throw math

The DPW gave a presentation on the Pay As You Throw program and also on the bids received from private haulers to take over curbside collection. The PAYT program has been very effective in reducing the tons of trash generated in the town and increasing recycling. Not only that, the costs for the service are less than expected due to the tonnage of curbside pickups being halved since the program started and increased revenue from recycled materials. As a result, the yearly fee will be reduced next year to $80 from the current $95. The per bag fee will remain the same. I think keeping the per bag fee the same is the right way to go. I believe it is the per bag fee that encourages recycling and reduces the trash tonnage. One more point about the presentation, ............

................the DPW showed the proposed budget for the PAYT program next year as $1.6 million. But when they showed the bids from private haulers, they showed their costs at $905,000 which was lower than the haulers. What I need to find out is, what is the remaining $700K for? The assessment for the Refuse District is $150K. That leaves $550K to run the transfer station and collect the fees. If that is what our costs are to do these functions, we need to privatize those as well as the curbside pickup.
Generally, I favor private contracts over public work because the private guys have a big incentive to reduce costs. Savings go right in their pocket. The DPW has no such incentive and, in fact, has an incentive to maintain the status quo. When bidding time comes up, the haulers have to sharpen their pencils and get the cost as low as possible or they get underbid. I don't see that kind of cost pressure on the DPW.

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Police dispatch and the Sheriff

There was some discussion at the Select Board meeting and on Curt Brown's blog here about regionalizing the police dispatch function with the Bristol County Sheriff's office providing the service to Dartmouth and surrounding communities. The Dartmouth Finance Committee has done an analysis that showed the police dispatch function is costing the town ...........

............$700,000 per year. That's a huge bill. I think that we need to investigate the possibilty of saving some of that money. Having said that, I have also talked to Chief Pacheco and he has some valid concerns about the effect of regionalizing the service, mainly related to department command and control. Chief Pacheco, to his credit, has agreed to meet with the sheriff and investigate the proposal.
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