FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES
NOVEMBER 18, 2002
TOWN HALL – 7:30 P.M.
Members present: Tuck, Pietal, Heitin, Grasfield, Atlas-Gordon, Fixler, Gillen, Goodman, Hearne, Sirkin, (Garza). Members absent: Bergeron, Bluestein.
1. C. Tuck explained that the Finance Committee had seen a need to include others in continuing a previous discussion on long range planning. Long range planning not being a Finance Committee function, she introduced M. Elkind, president and founder of Mindtech, as an outside facilitator of the meeting. She described his background in related functions, both as a professional and a Town volunteer.
2. Elkind explained the purpose of the group leading to open discussion among participants representing various Town Boards and Committees.
3. Pietal referred to tighter budgets each year and suggested addressing better management of available resources. School Superintendent C. Jackson hoped for practical solutions with a realistic outcome in mind. Planning Board and Capital Outlay Committee member S. Solomon referred to too much reactive mode and not bringing elements together and urged long term budgeting structurally coordinated. Tuck wanted some ongoing component. Gillen stressed something permanent, saying that the process of the Priorities Committee, the only one that looks at the Town as a whole, has deteriorated based on the challenges. Government Study Committee member P. Zlotin saw a need to bring in more people, saying that the same basic core people are involved, and suggested continuing to use plans as a working document with
updates. Government Study Committee member G. Bailey saw a gap between what the taxpayers and what those involved understood and wanted information regularly available to the public
4. School Committee Chairman S. Liao reported that the School Committee is committed to long range planning, planning 10 to 15 years in the future, and wants to coordinate with other town committees. He suggested looking toward a planner. P Zlotin also thought the Town too lean on the administrative side and Facilities Planning Committee Chairman agreed with the need for a technical resource as a guide. Planning Board member R. Maniscalco reported that the Planning Board is facilitating a long term community development plan with a state $35,000 grant under Executive Order 418 and is interviewing consultants. Planning Board Chairman A. Cohen suggested that their plan should be integrated and that their committee may have resources. Bailey reported that Government Study is talking about a
finanancial person with town wide responsibility.
5. Fixler suggested that any long range plan would necessitate compromise. Atlas-Gordon suggested a time line, identification of goals and deciding how plans should be carried out. Maniscalco wanted to address how to communicate to the public.
6. Elkind divided those present into three groups for discussion, asking that they concentrate on the group’s purpose and when to meet next rather than on content.
7. Group 3 reported back that they thought the purpose should include information gathering, integration of information and sharing information on an ongoing basis. They saw the Finance Committee as having a broader perspective in the ownership of the process. They saw manpower resources as mostly volunteers. Defining the goals of the town should include quality of life within financial constraints. They suggested meeting every other month, perhaps using subcommittees.
8. Group 2 thought the purpose should include integrating the work of town committees, addressing what we want Sharon to be as a town, committees meeting together to reach consensus, a framework so the public can understand, continuity of the process, and setting a standard of comparison. They viewed as a necessity an outside facilitator to run the next meeting.
9. Group 1 thought the group should meet again during the first week of December. They suggested a steering committee, possibly led by the Moderator, and diverse subcommittees. They had talked about a vision and guiding principals for the Town. They suggested looking at budgets, projects, facilities, government structure and communication between committees. They also suggested reporting to Town Meeting each year and benchmarking the project.
10. It was decided to meet again on December 2 in the High School library. Grasfield asked that everyone bring information from previous studies.
11. The minutes of October 21 were approved. Vote: 7-0-3
12. There was discussion about the necessity to hear all the Finance Committee Sector budgets. The opinion was expressed that, as the Finance Committee had responsibility for those budgets and adjusts their Priorities allotment among them, they should be given an opportunity to be heard. Discussion ensued about the use of Finance Committee meeting time. Some expressed the need for more understanding of and involvement in the Priorities and Capital Outlay process, especially the percentage of the operating budget Capital decides to recommend for borrowing. Tuck and Gillen suggested attendance at Priorities and Capital Outlay Committee meetings. Grasfield urged getting information as soon as possible on Priorities, Capital Outlay and the definition of a maintenance budget.
13. Pietal reported that the Capital Outlay Committee has not yet discussed the percentage of the operating budget they will recommend for borrowing. He reported that the police are mainly requesting communication and asking for $35,000 to hire a consultant for the design and aid in a grant application. They are also asking for vehicles. The Council on Aging is asking for a van, having received a grant toward the mini-bus approved last year. The Fire Department is asking for a vehicle, a tank and pump for a military tanker and a primo-vent to ventilate exhaust fumes. The DPW has their usual request of $600,000 for streets and $200,000 for sidewalks, as well as three vehicles. Heitin reported that there is current legislation to mandate that all vehicles and materials be covered and for storm drain
documentation. Grasfield urged that authorized borrowings not spent be rescinded.
14. Fixler reported a need for another FinCom representative to the Government Study Committee. They are discussing improvements to Town Meeting and checking around with other towns.
15. In answer to Grasfield’s concern about health insurance, Goodman said that he will be putting together information on health insurance.
16. Gillen reported District Attorney’s Keating’s concern about the status of state finances. There have been 14 months of decreases in revenue, other accounts have been raided, and he predicts a crisis.
17. In response to a question by resident A. Cheyer on the Committee’s position on water rates, opinions and information were given.
18. The meeting adjourned at 10:25
| 
