Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – November 2, 2005

Sharon High School Library, 7:30 P.M.

Members Present:  Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Brian Fitzgerald, Charles Goodman,

                               Jonathan Hitter, Ira Miller, Gloria Rose (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Boris Deychman, Michael Feldman, Kenneth Goldberg, Joel Lessard,

                               Gregory Sydney

1. This is the ninth meeting of the Finance Committee for this fiscal year.  Discussion was held on Warrant Articles not voted on which are 1, 2, 7 and 8.

2. ARTICLE 1.  Community Center.

3. Gordon Gladstone, Chairman of the Standing Building Committee made the presentation of the final budget number which was $8,976,835.

4. Gordon Gladstone stated that the original was $8.4 million.  It is $8.9 million.  Originally based on square feet.  These are modest amounts of increase for specific amounts.  The architect had presented the 95% estimate as opposed to 50% and gave an itemized breakdown.  This does not include the $950,000 design cost.  The total cost is close to $10 million.

5. A request had been made that the architect provide a schedule of future operating costs.

6. The Standing Building Committee had an estimated cost of running the building of $197,000.  This includes maintenance, water, electricity, sewer, gas, telephone.  Also a Council On Aging custodian contingency.  In the prior year the building took in $45,000 in rental fees.  With a better facility, rentals should increase.  Numbers from Dave Clifton.

7. The project portion of design was $947,000. $8,976,835 plus $947,176 = $9,924,011 total cost of facility.  The project should start early March.  The escalator is 1 ½% for inflation and 3% for unusual purposes.  An application in the amount of $160,000 from some of the costs for making the building compliant with the Disability Act.

8. ARTICLE 2. Wilber School.  Chuck Goodman stated the presentation was to recommend asbestos removal of approximately $500,000.  We came with the impression that that was what we were going to be asked to vote on.  Our vote was in favor of it.  The situation has been changed and I believe the Article will be changed.

9. There was discussion on the new information of hiring a consultant for abatement not to exceed $100,000..

10. ARTICLE 3.  Collective Bargaining.  On hold.

11. ARTICLE 7.  CSD

12. Suzy Peck of the Board of Health reviewed changes in the article to make more explicit.  The vote was 3-2.

13. ARTICLE 8.  MUOD.  Also making explicit what is implicit.  Discussion continued on this article.  It wasn’t a unanimous decision by the Planning Board.  The vote was 4-1.

14. A MOTION was made by Charles Goodman and SECONDED by Jonathan Hitter to go into Executive Session.

15. VOTED:  7-0-0.

16. Resumed regular session.

17. ARTICLE 1.  Community Center.

18. A MOTION was made by Jonathan Hitter and SECONDED by Gloria Rose to approve that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $8,976,835.00 for the remodeling, reconstruction and extraordinary repairs to the Community Center.

19. VOTED:  4-2-1.  For:  Anderson, Goodman, Hitter, Rose.  Against:  Alpert, Fitzgerald.  Abstain:  Miller.

20. ARTICLE 2.  Wilber School

21. A MOTION was made by Jonathan Hitter and SECONDED by Gloria Rose to reconsider the original vote which was voted in favor, 5-3-2, to borrow up to $500,000.

22. VOTED:  7-0-0.

23. ARTICLE 7.  CSD is to amend various sections.

24. A MOTION was made by Gloria Rose and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to reconsider the original vote of 10/17/05 on Article 7.

25. VOTED:  6-1-0.  For:  Alpert, Anderson, Fitzgerald, Goodman, Miller, Rose.  Against:  Hitter.

26. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Ira Miller for indefinite postponement on Article 7.

27. Discussion was held on the motion.

28. VOTED:  3-2-2.  For:  Alpert, Fitzgerald, Miller.  Against:  Anderson, Goodman.  Abstain:  Hitter, Rose.

29. A MOTION was made by Maria Anderson and SECONDED by Jonathan Hitter to reconsider again the vote on Article 7.

30. VOTED:  3-4-0.  For:  Anderson, Hitter, Rose.  Against:  Alpert, Fitzgerald, Goodman, Miller.

31. ARTICLE 8.  MUOD.

32. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Ira Miller to reconsider Article 8.

33. VOTED:  6-1.  For:  Alpert, Anderson, Fitzgerald, Goodman, Miller, Rose.  Against:  Hitter.

34. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to accept Article 8 as presented to us this evening.

35. VOTED:  6-0-1.  For:  Alpert, Anderson, Fitzgerald, Goodman, Miller, Rose.  Abstain:  Hitter.

36. OTHER BUSINESS.

37. The next meeting on Monday, November 7, is the Open Warrant meeting.

38. Need to write recommendation for Article 1 and Article 7 and 8.  Article 2 stands as last voted.

39. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

40. The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 p.m.