Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – August 9, 2004

Town Hall – 7:30 p.m.

Members Present: Michael Feldman, Brian Fitzgerald, David Fixler, Jonathan Hitter,

Paul Pietal, Gloria Rose, Charles Goodman (late), (Hamilton)

Absent: Kenneth Goldberg, David Hearne, Ira Miller, Gregory Sydney

1. Council on Aging presentation for Fall Town Meeting on ARTICLE 3, proposal for Design Money for a Free Standing Sr. Center. This issue has come up before. Summary of the project by Arnold Kublin.

2. Arnold Kublin gave background and updated information on this article

3. The Community Center building is not suitable for seniors. Used by too many diversified groups for COA to have dedicated space to serve its needs. The cost of bringing the Community Center up to code would far exceed a free standing Senior Center by 1-1 ½ million. Feasibility study was done. The conclusion of this study recommended a free-standing sr. center of 15,000 sq. ft. The community center cannot be enlarged—grant restrictions. It would cost 4-4 ½ million to use Community Center. There were several other sites looked at. One on E. Foxboro Street belonging to School Department, and one on Oakland Road, but the Debra Sampson land is the most desirable. COA went before the town for an override at the same time when two other projects were going for override. Two elementary schools prevailed at town meeting so we did not get override.

4. COA had $160,000 of which $40,000 was spent. $120,000 was pulled to pay for cost of Wilber project. Wilber project would cost 20-23 million, 20% tax increase because of two schools. Would like to go back to original plan on Debra Sampson. Cost was 3.2 million in 2001. Met with standing building committee. COA would like to have $40,000 that had been spent. Standing Building Committee is asking Town Counsel if money can be given to same architect. Looking at Debra Sampson 2.2 acres of land. State guidelines—15,000 sq. ft. required. Costs can be rising and would like project to go forward.

5. Norma Fitzgerald described what goes on at Sr. Center. Activities to be used by seniors need survey: exercise classes, swimming, ballroom dancing, computer classes, arts and crafts. Sent Needs Survey to all in town 60 years and over. Got back 800 surveys. Approximately 2900 over 60 in Sharon. The number of town residents may have gone up from last year of 18,000+--15% are 60 and over.

6. One of the goals of COA is to provide programs for everybody over 65, some still working part time, and retirees.

7. Pietal: How many people use programs?

8. Fitzgerald: Cannot give accurate count with everybody in many spaces. Count for programs not counting home delivered meals. 23,942 attendance over year. Someone may come in once or 3 times a week. The Men’s Club has 300 members. The Women’s Club, 200 members. Didn’t count other activities except weekly meetings. Social services to see re property tax. May be another 90. Some just come in for fitness, opera appreciation. How many cannot come in—Meals on Wheels coordinated with Hessco. Number of meals totaled in Sharon is 1,200 per month. Newsletter go to 60 and over and members of Friends of COA. Volunteers sit in front office for people to talk to. Most programs at Community Center. ESL at Temple Israel—other places are not set up for elderly and handicapped going up steps such as Congregational Church. Housing Authority has coffee hour. No program until COA provides. Seniors isolated without programs to go to.

9. Kublin: People meet others to have activities with. Men’s Club have several trips. Funding provided by Friends of COA.

10. Fitzgerald: Space has been a problem—in Plainville dances attended by 300 seniors—money can offset other programs.

11. Fixler: How much money for this article?

12. How much to finish project? Would balance be $100,000 or $150,000? Should have amount before town meeting. Must have information before September 1. Cannot give recommendation with no costs. May not have information in warrant, but will have at town meeting.

13. Kublin: It has been two weeks since meeting with Standing Building Committee. Going to see if he can get answer before September 1. $160,000 last amount told for design work. $40,000 used. The balance provided for Wilber. $160,00 would have done it in 2001.

14. Can project be finished for $120,000?

15. Kublin: His costs would have gone up in three years. Probably close to $150,000.

16. Fixler: Is this capital outlay committee?

17. Pietal: Capital Outlay Committee would have to be seen before town meeting.

18. Kublin: George Donovan working on this project. Issue of financing project various ways. Donovan would be better able to discuss finances.

19. Pietal: Request for Teen Center to provide some funding. Conceptually, Community Center. Can’t fit programs in Community Center. Get an inventory by selectmen of what goes on in Community Center. Are there other ways for finding space? How the Community Center cannot build or expand on that site.

20. Kublin: Frank Sullivan did a lot of research, restrictions on that property—cannot add wing. 37,000 sq. t. at Community Center. Using second floor not appropriate for seniors. Elevator too small. Emergency exit important factor. Department of Elder Affairs—young children and seniors not good mix in same building at same time. Activities end at 12:30 p.m. Negotiating dining room until 2:30 p.m. Furniture would have to be moved. Children then come in for gymnastics. Activities for seniors in other centers until 4:30-5 p.m. Some open evenings and weekends. Vast majority of expense is rent. Canton space 15,000 sq. ft.

21. Any way to share information?

22. Kublin: $200,000 voted for design work. No amount yet for construction cost. Canton has corporate contributors.

23. ARTICLES 10 & 11: Discharge Detection By-law and Storm Water – Construction By-law. A summary of these articles was sent by Peter O’Cain, Asst. Town Engineer at DPW, and read by Paul Pietal. Both articles are EPA mandates. $400 fee for permit. Amount to be place in fund which is unfunded. Federal mandate to oversee fee levied on construction company. Question to Peter O’Cain: What flexibility do we have on fee process itself? Is it $400 or do we have other options?

24. Illicit Discharge Detection: License for direct connection to town drainage. Any storm water must fill out application. Fine without application, $100. Penalty for illegal discharge, $100. No fee for application. Both by-laws edited and reviewed by Town Counsel.

25. Properly maintained sewer storm water. Permit for sump pumps. Question to Peter O’Cain: Clarification on sump pumps.

26. Enforcement by Water Dept/DPW. Non-criminal proceedings. Need to know where the water goes. We are responsible as a town to manage and report waste water—fees are to be able to fund. Peter should come in to tell us the financial ramifications.

27. ARTICLE 6: Recreation Department Supplemental Article. Presentation regarding the Teen Center by Laura Solomon and Bill Kelly. Requesting appropriation of funds. The Teen Center has been in existence for two years. Begun by non-profit Board of Directors. Last year arrangement with Hockomock YMCA to share staff and programs. Open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday after school and Friday evenings. Most middle school, but any teenager in Sharon can participate. Supporting well-being of town. Raised money by private fund raising efforts and individual donor, $25,000. Donor can no longer give. Y will take over costs, but cannot do so at present. In 2005 Y taking over totally with fund raising in town of Sharon. Do not want it to fall apart for a one year gap—need a one time $25,000 bridge for future of Teen Center. Have enough money to start in September and make through town meeting. Fund raiser at Family Week. 25 teens a day. 40-50 teens on weekend. Brought in more when dances Friday night. Will attract wider volume of teens. Y got grant for leadership development with teens. No charge unless special program.

28. Fixler: What is philosophy of no charging?

29. Solomon: Didn’t want paying to be an issue. Y said no fee to be charged. They have taken over Teen Centers before because of lack of money. They have been running N. Attleboro program.

30. Where is the program run in N. Attleboro?

31. Solomon: Free standing teen center—Y took over to keep from going under. If they take Sharon teen center to Foxboro and make a two-town center and Sharon loses center, Then they would have to provide transportation. Kids get to center by parents, bike, walking. Trying to make arrangements for bus to bring to center. Rent: $13,800 shared between Sharon and Y, no utilities. Staff: draft budget by Y--$10,400 parttime staff; $19,000 Director, parttime for September “04. Sharon pays $15,000 for Director to Y. Sharon pays for parttime staff in addition. $25,000 is half what is needed. Raised $50,000, but $25,000 from individual donor.

32. Pietal: Targeting 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grades? 1,000 kids and some high schoolers?

33. Solomon: For a year 1700 kids visited teen center. Have use of high school gym for dances. Y will increase hours. Open every day after school and summer. Increase staffing. Would not have to be a member of Y. Current hours are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 2:30 – 5:30 p.m., Friday, 7-10 p.m. Looked into alternate locations. Not cool to go to school from survey of both parents and kids. No space at school. Need room for their pool table, ping pong table, large screen tv—cannot be broken down every night. No space at Recreation Center. The Y can do aerobics classes. Space is under utilized.

34. Pietal: Town has a lot of buildings. Have we revisited buildings?

35. Dave Clifton: $25,000 is town share in this partnership. Individual issue for town. Teenage program growing to involve high school. If we do not provide constructive activities there will be destructive activity. Growth between Sharon and YMCA. Need to program more and plan for future for middle school and high school. $50,000 budget, town spending $25,000. May be able to come back to community center rent free. Need to have budget listed how many people volunteer to make this happen. The Community Youth Coalition, Town Administrator, Police Chief find ways to occupy teenagers’ time. Need to continue to make a place for them to go. Both parents working. Need staff. Y wants to step in and help. Add to Recreation Department $25,000.

36. Pietal: Not talking about merits. Have we exhausted opportunities in other buildings?

37. Fixler: What are conditions on lease?

38. Solomon: Starting a one year lease starting September. In process of being signed.

39. Fixler: Where and what about space? If Hockomock Y takes over in a year, could lose space. For one year just to find another space that would be taken over by outside entity.

40. Pietal: What if you sign lease and get to town meeting and don’t get funding?

41. Solomon: Used schools and found no space—will not attract teens even if there is no other place. Custodian issues. Kids don’t want to be back in school. Looking at commercial space. Have 2,600 sq. ft. currently.

42. Kelly: Do not know if Y will stay in same place. Not wheelchair accessible. Working with Hockomock Y. Person from Foxboro is on Board. Margie Mitlin working with N. Attleboro. Business office is in N. Attleboro.

43. Clifton: Recreation Center will pay bills for rental and staff related to teen center. Operating expenditure by Recreation Department.

44. Solomon: Teen Center asking for $25,000 from town to replace individual donors money. Fund raising for rest of money. $5,000 in bank. Fund raiser during Family Week. Would not come back to town for additional money. Would continue to fund raise. Either meet obligations or go out of business.

45. Fitzgerald: Who will actually be in charge?

46. Kelly: Incorporated non-profit affiliated with Y. As a courtesy, the Y is generating budget by doing clerical work. Made it through two years with a $50,000 budget. Demonstrated they have been able to raise $25,000.

47. Clifton: Asking for donations will be easier, if we know town is part and Y is contributing. Raised $5,000 from banks in town.

48. OTHER BUSINESS

49. Discussion on two sets of minutes.

50. Fitzgerald: Minutes are more comprehensive than other minutes. Do not need to be precise.

51. Goodman: More committees are including more information instead of less inclusive.

52. Rose: MOVED that minutes of July 26, 2004, be accepted as amended.

53. VOTED: 3-0-4.

54. Not yet ready to consider minutes of August 2. Postpone to next meeting.

55. The next meeting will be August 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

56. Gloria Rose is to send memo to Selectmen from Finance Committee. Change way property is taxed with cell tower going up on property. What revenue is forecast and what is monitored? Portion of revenue to town for a modest lump sum to town when matter settles. Hearing for Selectmen whether to acquire that land by law for recreation. Go back to golf course?

57. In July minutes, first meeting about capital matters. Members re capital outlay to write proposition for capital outlay. Get discussions going before process begins. No meeting scheduled yet.

58. MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

59. VOTED: 7-0-0.

60. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.