Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – October 6, 2005

Town Hall – Lower Level Hearing Room, 7:30 P.M.

 

Members Present:  Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Boris Deychman, Michael Feldman,

                               Brian Fitzgerald, Charles Goodman, Jonathan Hitter, Ira Miller

                               (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Kenneth Goldberg, Joel Lessard, Gloria Rose, Gregory Sydney

 

1.      This was the seventh meeting of the Finance Committee for this fiscal year.  The agenda was to go over Warrant Articles that had been discussed.  A few had not been voted on.

 

2.      Ira Miller suggested that we have one more meeting where we can meet and vote before writing our recommendations.  That would be the 17th of October and turn them in on the 21st.

 

3.      There was no vote on ARTICLE 1 which relates to the Community Center.

 

4.      Jonathan Hitter stated that the numbers will be available late next week.  Capital Outlay is meeting on the 17th at 6:00 p.m. where those numbers will be presented.

 

5.      There was much discussion on the Community Center article regarding the amount of money needed and the possibility of a grant by the COA.

 

6.      ARTICLE 2 relates to Wilbur School.

 

7.      Discussion was held on this article with information that the amount needed will be presented at Capital Outlay on the 17th.

 

8.      Jonathan Hitter stated that the intent is to do the work as soon as possible.  To get it out to bid and get it done as quickly as possible.

 

9.      ARTICLE 3 relates to Collective Bargaining Agreements.  Discussion concluded that negotiations would not be completed before the Fall Town Meeting.

 

10.  ARTICLE 4 relates to the Law Budget.  Already voted for indefinite postponement.

 

11.  ARTICLE 5 relates to increase number of Selectmen from 3 to 5.  Already voted on that.

 

12.  ARTICLE 6 relates to residency.

 

13.  Ira Miller stated that this was discussed at the last meeting.  The consensus was in favor except for Board of Selectmen may waive this requirement in an individual case.  Our alternative would be to have an amendment prepared for indefinite postponement and then subsequent vote.

 

14.  There was continued discussion on this article.

 

15.  ARTICLES 7 and 8.  CSD and MUOD.

 

16.  There was much discussion on information that was just received and a question of proponent being the permitting authority.

 

17.  Wayne Bradley of the Planning Board announced that the Planning Board held it’s public hearing last night.  They did not take a vote.  Suzy Peck from the Board of Health presented.  It was an attempt on the Board of Health’s part to inject more safeguard on the language of both the CSD and MUOD.  The issue of permitting authority and proponent actually occurred a year or two ago.  The Planning Board has been permitting authority for subdivision.  I understand the hesitancy about risk of checks and balances.  It doesn’t directly affect the intent.  The Board of Health wanted to include a few more safeguards by the use of those two By-laws.  They were trying to make explicit what was already implicit.

 

18.  ARTICLE 9.  Naming of Park to Doris Annis.  Voted approval.

 

19.  ARTICLE 10.  To correct numbering error at last Town Meeting.  Voted and approved that.

 

20.  OTHER BUSINESS

 

21.  Joel Alpert, liaison to School Committee meetings, brought up question of definition of punch list and change order.  Discussion continued with a suggestion that Gordon Gladstone of the Standing Building Committee could provide information.

 

22.  Discussion continued on procedures for changing articles, observing at negoatiations, and developing wider revenue base.

 

23.  The next meeting will be October 17.

 

24.  It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

 

25.  VOTED:  8-0-0.

 

26.  The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.