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DECEMBER 9, 2004

ATTENDANCE: Bruce Kimmel, Chair; Douglas Sutton; Kenneth Baker; Douglas Hempstead

STAFF: Fred Gilden; Tom Hamilton; Karen DelVecchio; Lisa Biagarelli

Mr. Kimmel called the meeting to order at 8:05 p.m.

APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

OCTOBER 14, 2004

** MR. BAKER MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS SUBMITTED
** MOTION PASSED WITH TWO (2) ABSTENTIONS (MR. BAKER AND MR. HEMPSTEAD)

NOVEMBER 10, 2004

** MR. BAKER MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS SUBMITTED
** MOTION PASSED WITH TWO (2) ABSTENTIONS (MR. BAKER AND MR. HEMPSTEAD)

CLAIMS COMMITTEE: RECEIVE THE MONTHLY CLAIMS REPORT; REVIEW AND APPROVE CLAIMS AS REQUIRED FOR CLAIMS REPORT DATED: DECEMBER 9, 2004

Ms. Biagarelli reviewed her written report and said that there were no specific requests.

NARRATIVE ON TAX COLLECTIONS DATED DECEMBER 9, 2004 – RECEIVE REPORT AND DISCUSS

Ms. Biagarelli said that the vacancy in the office was filled and they now have a full time cashier in the office. They collected $2.3 million in past due, which is down from last years, which was $3 million.

Ms. Biagarelli stressed that she does not have enough staff and noted that she is working 700 hours a year in overtime and that cannot continue.

Mr. Kimmel said that they are not asking other departments to maintain this quality of service. This is a unique situation and the bare bones staff is doing a wonderful job.

Mr. Hempstead suggested hiring a part time person. Ms. Biagarelli said that they need someone who can deal with constables and marshals and answer the telephone on a year round basis.

Mr. Hamilton said that across the board, the City is very lean with staffing. He said that he realizes that many departments could use additional staffing, but he is confronted with the reality of the budget.

Mr. Kimmel replied that this is a situation of being penny wise and pound-foolish. He suggested that as a committee, they look into this situation when they start discussing the budget.

MONTHLY TAX COLLECTOR’S REPORT DATED NOVEMBER 30, 2004 – RECEIVE REPORT AND DISCUSS

Ms. Biagarelli said that the tax bills are going out for the second half and should arrive before Christmas.

** MR. SUTTON MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE AT&T SOLUTIONS CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF AN ENTERPRISE VOICE MAIL SYSTEM FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $79,365.73 ACCT. #010600-5255

Mr. Hamilton explained this request as outlined in his memo dated December 1, 2004.

Ms. DelVecchio said that this will provide a single platform voice mail system throughout the City and will have 5,000 voice mailboxes.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Mr. Kimmel suggested holding the next meeting on January 13, 2005 and inviting school superintendent Corda and members of the Board of Education Budget Committee. A public hearing was scheduled for January 20, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room with a special Finance Committee to follow.

** MR. BAKER MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services