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FinCom reviews Conservation Commission staffing and fee changes; agent replacement recommended at 24 hours/week
Summary
ConCom Chair Tom Robinson and Agent Jane Varkonda told the FinCom that ConCom permitting fees were raised to better cover inspections, the department lacks funds to be self-sufficient, and Ms. Varkonda recommended hiring her replacement for 3 days (24 hours) per week at an estimated M2 Step 1 pay grade; FinCom asked for a clarified budget and a re-vote.
At the Jan. 8 meeting the Tisbury Finance & Advisory Committee reviewed a Conservation Commission update from Chair Tom Robinson and Agent Jane Varkonda.
Robinson summarized the ConCom’s regulatory role: the commission administers state and local bylaws for activity within 100 feet of wetlands, reviewing construction, rebuilds, landscaping and water-related work such as piers. The minutes say the ConCom updated permitting fees to better reflect the work and inspections involved; while this generated more revenue, the department would not become self-sufficient on fees alone because inspection and permitting work can be costly.
Agent Jane Varkonda described staffing changes: she has been splitting time under a Cooperative Agreement (one day for Tisbury, four for Edgartown) and plans to retire at the end of Fiscal Year 2025. The ConCom’s long-time part-time administrative assistant, Laura Barbera, recently passed away; the department has transitioned to a new administrative assistant, Alycelee Pigman, at a lower pay grade in FY25 and FY26. Varkonda "strongly advised" that her replacement be hired for three days per week (24 hours) at an estimated M2 Step 1 pay grade; the ConCom had not finalized hours and placed first-year costs in a warrant article.
FinCom members agreed the ConCom’s budget should be clarified, re-voted and re-submitted so the committee can evaluate the fiscal impact. The FinCom’s action list directs the ConCom to provide income and fee revenue details and to re-discuss and vote the FY26 budget and agent hours and pay.
Next steps: ConCom to provide fee revenue figures and a clarified FY26 budget proposal for FinCom review; FinCom will consider the revised budget and recommended hours/pay before endorsing any warrant article.
