MINUTES – OCTOBER 7, 2002
TOWN HALL – 7:30 P.M.
Members present: Tuck, Pietal, Heitin, Grasfield, Bluestein, Fixler, Gillen, Goodman, Hearne, Sirkin, (Garza). Members absent: Atlas-Gordon, Bergeron
1. After discussion, it was agreed to request three proposed Fiscal 2004 budgets from the Finance Committee Sector departments: one level funded, one with a 5% reduction, and one with a 3% increase.
2. Tuck reminded the Committee to distinguish between giving information and editorializing when using e-mails and to keep only to relating facts.
3. Fixler urged that the Finance Committee do more deliberation and less budget review. It was decided to request that the Executive Secretary and Selectmen present the Selectmen’s Sector budget as a package. Individual departments could be scheduled if issues arise. Fixler suggested that the School budget be discussed while in progress. Grasfield urged a five-year operating plan, saying that expenses are more predictable than revenue but that much revenue is predictable.
4. Tuck reported that certain records must be kept for certain periods of time, depending on the type of record. She reminded the Committee that the Accountant keeps Reserve Fund approvals and the Town Clerk retains the minutes. She said that other Finance Committee documents are working documents and are not needed a year later. She suggested that the previous year’s documents be destroyed at the end of the fiscal year.
5. The minutes of September 23 were approved. Vote: 8-0-2
6. The minutes of the September 23 Executive Session were approved. Vote: 8-0-3
7. Tuck reported that, at the Assessors meeting on October 3, Executive Secretary Puritz presented the rationale for reducing the tax levy by the $515,000 unexpected state aid. She said that Puritz did not want to reduce the tax levy by more than that because of future anticipated costs, particularly Health Insurance. She recalled that, except for three years of level tax rates, the tax rate has been set at the cap including overrides. She said that this year’s recap showed excess levy capacity with an underestimation of revenue and other discrepancies.
8. B. Puritz explained that the figures used were consistent with the last five years. Motor vehicle excise revenue from the registry increased significantly from prior years. He did not know the reason for this increase. He expressed concern about the continuing decline in Free Cash and expected health insurance increases.
9. It was decided to invite the Assessors and Selectmen to a future meeting to continue the discussion.
10. The meeting adjourned at 9:15
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