Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – November 7, 2005

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

Members Present:  Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Michael Feldman, Charles Goodman,

                               Jonathan Hitter, Ira Miller, Gloria Rose, Gregory Sydney (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Boris Deychman, Brian Fitzgerald, Kenneth Goldberg, Joel Lessard

1. This is the tenth meeting of the Finance Committee for FY’06.  This evening is the Open Warrant Meeting.  Recommendations that were not printed in the Warrant will be available at Town Meeting.

2. ARTICLE 1.  That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $8,976,835 for the remodeling, reconstruction and extraordinary repairs to the Community Center.  The vote was 4-2-1.

3. Discussion was held on this Article regarding increase in tax bills and other amounts needed to be appropriated and borrowed.

4. ARTICLE 2.  Wilber School.  The Finance Committee originally voted to approve $500,000 for this project.  It seems to be in dispute, but no one knows the actual amount.  Voted to reconsider on a 5-2 vote.  Information not available.

5. Discussion continued on this Article regarding the amount needed.

6. ARTICLE 3.  Collective Bargaining.  Ben Puritz made presentation for Board of Selectmen.  There was a unanimous vote of the Board of Selectmen to endorse the proposal for a Memorandum of Agreement with regards to this collective bargaining agreement in the amount of $40,893.  The funding would be through free cash in the range of $1-$1.5 million which the State will verify by certification prior to Fall Town Meeting.

7. There was much discussion on this Article regarding parity and comparable communities.

8. ARTICLE 4.  Law Budget.  It is on a year-to-date basis.  The spending is in alignment that could change.

9. Ben Puritz stated that there will not be a motion to amend indefinite postponement.

10. ARTICLE 5.  Increase size of Board of Selectmen from 3 to 5.  The Finance Committee voted in favor.  Voted 5-3-1.  A good explanation is in the Warrant.

11. ARTICLE 6.  Resident of Town on Boards, Commissions and Committees.  The Finance Committee voted to support this Article without the waiver.  Voted 7-2-1.

12. There was some discussion from people in the audience.

13. ARTICLE 7.  CSD.  Ann Bingham and Suzy Peck from the Board of Health were present.

14. The Finance Committee reconsidered their vote, 6-1-0.  Voted 3-2-2 for indefinite postponement.  Reconsidered.  Voted, 3-4-0.  Voted indefinite postponement of Article 7.

15. Discussion continued between the Finance Committee and people in the audience.

16. ARTICLE 8.  MUOD.  The Finance Committee voted 6-0-1.

17. Joel Alpert stated that the Committee felt the amended article closed loopholes in existing article.

18. Suzy Peck stated that the Board of Health hadn’t worked with the Planning Board.  There is a change in this Article.  It was going to do away with the 20 unit minimum density because you can’t put in septic.  It was a State mandate.  If there is a Waste Water Treatment System, you can have 20 unit density.  If not, it would not be 20 unit minimum.

19. ARTICLE 9.  Naming Park.  Voted, 9-0.

20. ARTICLE 10.  Change numbering to correct numbering.  Voted, 9-0 in favor.

21. OTHER BUSINESS

22. Gloria Rose reported that there was a flood at the library in the Children’s Room on the lower level.  She indicated the amount of damage and that the cost of repairs is $35,000 with a $5,000 deductible on the insurance.  They don’t know what caused flood.  They are checking the septic system.

23. Chuck Goodman announced there will be a Spelling Bee, Sunday, 2 P.M. at the Middle School.  Three member team one of which was the School Committee.

24. A MOTION was made by Jonathan Hitter and SECONDED by Gloria Rose to approve the sum of $40,893 to supplement Collective Bargaining under Article 3.

25. Discussion was held on the motion.

26. VOTED:  2-5-1.  For:  Hitter, Rose.  Against:  Alpert, Feldman, Goodman, Miller, Sydney.  Abstain:  Anderson.

27. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Ira Miller for indefinite postponement of Article 3.

28. VOTED:  6-2-0.  For:  Alpert, Anderson, Feldman, Goodman, Miller, Sydney.  Against:  Hitter, Rose.

29. More discussion was held on ARTICLE 2.  Wilber School.

30. Chuck Goodman stated that the Finance Committee is going to have to vote on this before Town Meeting.  We need to have a meeting prior to Town Meeting on November 14 at 6 P.M.

31. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

32. VOTED:  8-0-0.

33. The meeting adjourned at 9:50 P.M.