FINANCE COMMITTEE – LONG TERM PLANNING MEETING
MINUTES – DECEMBER 2, 2002
HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY– 7:30 P.M.
Finance Committee members present: Tuck, Heitin, Pietal, Grasfield, Atlas-Gordon, Bluestein, Fixler, Gillen, Goodman, Hearne, Sirkin, (Garza). Member absent: Bergeron,
1. Facilitator M. Elkind opened the meeting by reviewing the objectives set forth in the previous meeting and suggesting that the group be clear about what their output should be. Pietal stressed finding ways to do things better. Tuck said that different groups come up with different agendas, emphasized the need to fit all into one agreed agenda and added that all need to make adjustments (compromises). Planning Board and Capital Outlay member Solomon pointed to the need to look forward five or ten years, saying that other groups are consumed with what needs immediate attention. School Superintendent C. Jackson mentioned defining the role of each town organization.
2. Discussion led to the following purposes:
a. To recommend improvements in the process of government.
b. A long-term view
c. Consensus on a comprehensive plan.
d. An updating mechanism for the plan.
e. Deciding how to institutionalize the planning process.
f. Informing the Town of the process and the plan and getting Town Meeting support.
3. Solomon suggested that restrictions may limit improvements in the process. School Committee member D. Gilligan described the goals as acquiring information and a plan. Gilligan added getting information included defining what information, where it is, who controls it and how to share it. Government Study Committee member G. Bailey suggested that the problem with previous plans was that they were not integrated.
Town Facilities Chairman M. Baskin said that it would never be “done”, that it is an ever-evolving process. Bailey mentioned state aid as a component.
4. There was considerable discussion regarding what matters could be handled by the group as a whole and what would be better handled by small groups. It was agreed to form sub-groups to discuss the following issues:
a. An operating plan.
b. Long term capital
c. Short term capital
d. Demographics – people, land, and natural resources.
e. Employment – human resource issues
5. It was decided to divide into three sub-groups, combining an operating plan, short-term capital and employment into one. Each group was to pick a chair and decide on a meeting time. After meeting, the group on an operating plan chose D. Gilligan as Chair and A. Garf as Vice-Chair. The group on demographics chose S. Solomon as Chair, and the group on long-term capital chose M. Baskin as Chair and D. Hearne as Vice-Chair. Each sub-group was to decide on convening future meetings of their sub-group, and C. Tuck will convene the next meeting of the entire group.
6. The meeting adjourned at 9:25
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