Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – February 28, 2005

High School Library – 7:30 P.M.

Members Present:  Michael Feldman, Brian Fitzgerald, Kenneth Goldberg (late),

                               Jonathan Hitter, Ira Miller, Paul Pietal, Gloria Rose (late), Gregory

                              Sydney (Hamilton)

               Absent:   David Fixler, Charles Goodman, David Hearne

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M.

2. Discussion on Nice to Have lists:  School, Selectmen, Finance Committee—Online Assessment Information.

3. On the agenda was Review of Finance Committee Sector Budgets.

4. There was a general discussion about all department budgets.

5. Regarding Town Clerk’s budget, which included an 8% salary placeholder, a motion was taken off the table until notified by the Selectmen.  The most challenging part from a budget perspective is the salaries.

6. Discussion continued trying to find ways to reduce budgets, where cuts could take place, and how to fund necessary and Wish List items.

7. It was stated that the Priorities Committee was implemented to make comparisons as to relative priorities.

8. The Finance Committee makes recommendations that go to Town Meeting, but the Town makes the decision.

9. Continued discussion on the Police budget and the need for more police officers.

10. There is a need to have another meeting with department heads.

11. Representatives from the Finance Committee will be going to the Wilber Reuse meeting on March 7.

12. The next meeting will be Monday, March 7, at Town Hall, Lower Meeting Room.

13. There was a request to see if anyone wanted to attend the Standing Building Committee Nominating Committee.

14. MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

15. VOTED:  8-0-0.

16. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 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