Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – January 31, 2005

High School Library – 7:30 P.M.

Members Present:  Michael Feldman, Brian Fitzgerald, David Fixler (late), Charles

                              Goodman, David Hearne (late), Jonathan Hitter, Ira Miller, Paul Pietal,

                              Gloria Rose, Gregory Sydney (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Kenneth Goldberg

1. This evening’s agenda is the budget review of the Conservation Commission and the Board of Appeals.  Since there was no response from the Board of Appeals, the Finance Committee will do their budget, which they also did last year.  Greg Meister is representing the Conservation Commission.

2. There was a discussion of the Conservation Commission budget with the challenge of estimating salaries for Greg Meister and a secretary.  Primary plus contractual is 7-8%.  The rest is level funded.  The legal budget is also a concern.  Rattlesnake Hill still needs a third party for funding.

3. Discussion on Zoning Board of Appeals.  Have not received any input from them.  The Finance Committee did the budget themselves last year.  A majority of their budget is for legal expenses.  Paul Pietal will follow up to get more concrete numbers.

4. OTHER BUSINESS

5. The Selectmen’s meeting is tomorrow night with 6:30 – 7:30 for Executive Session.  The Finance Committee was invited to attend.  There are two topics in Executive Session:  Satter matter and another issue on Rattlesnake Hill for financial analysis.  In open session discussion:  A third topic on issue whether the Elections and Registrations budget should be under Selectmen or Finance Committee and a fourth topic is labor negotiations.

6. Discussed minutes of January 10, 2005.

7. MOVED and SECONDED to accept minutes of January 10, 2005.

8. VOTED:  8-0-1.

9. ACTION ITEMS

10. Gloria Rose:  Library answered all questions.

11. Paul Pietal will summarize his action item (contracts) for next meeting.

12. Charles Goodman brought in analysis on overlay.  The Assessors need to explain the information about overlay at the Finance Committee meeting on February 7.

13. Discussion on printing of the Warrant for Town Meeting.  Finance Committee would like more time to have recommendations in the Warrant.

14. The Finance Committee needs to schedule the Board of Selectmen and School Department regarding budgets.

15. There was a Priorities meeting since our last meeting.  Departments need to go to Priorities first, then come to Finance Committee.  The Finance Committee’s role is not to go over revenue estimate.

16. Much discussion continued on taxing, needs, and levy capacity.

17. There was a Capital Outlay meeting two weeks ago with a Capital tour.  There was not much attendance.  Another Capital meeting will take place next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

18. The next meeting of the Finance Committee will take place on February 7, 2005.

19. MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

20. VOTED:  10-0-0.

21. Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

Open Action Items
Action Item	Responsible	Start	Due
Determine number of union contracts	Group	12/13/04	1/31/05
Analyze effect of union contracts on different departments and on budgets overall	Group	1/10/05	2/15/05
Develop a model for salary projections	Pietal and Grasfield to help out	1/10/05	3/31/05
Follow up ZBA budget for more concrete numbers	Pietal	1/31/05