Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – November 14, 2005

Sharon High School Library, 6:00 P.M.

Members Present:  Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Michael Feldman, Brian Fitzgerald,

                               Kenneth Goldberg, Charles Goodman, Jonathan Hitter, Joel Lessard,

                               Ira Miller, Gloria Rose (Hamilton)

1. This is the 11^th meeting of the Finance Committee for this fiscal year.  Chuck Goodman stated there is still Article 2, Wilber School, to vote on before Town Meeting.  The Finance Committee previously voted $500,000 and the vote was in favor of that 5-3-2.  The Selectmen will propose $100,000 and at the May Town Meeting another number to do the work.  Should the Finance Committee propose a number to do the job to get started now?  Bids can get out and work can start in March or April to be sure it gets done before next winter.

2. There was much discussion regarding the amount to be proposed for the removal of hazardous waster and/or asbestos from the Wilber School.

3. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to support the Article that the Town raise the sum of $750,000 for the cost of hazardous waste and/or asbestos removal from the Wilber School building site and in order to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, is authorized to borrow up to $750,000 under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 44, §7.

4. There was discussion on the motion.

5. VOTED:  5-5-0. For:  Alpert, Anderson, Goodman, Miller, Rose.  Against:  Feldman, Fitzgerald, Goldberg, Hitter, Lessard.

6. A MOTION was made by Kenneth Goldberg and SECONDED by Jonathan Hitter that the amount be up to $500,000.

7. VOTED:  3-5-2.  For:  Feldman, Goldberg, Hitter.  Against:  Alpert, Goodman, Lessard, Miller, Rose.  Abstain:  Anderson, Fitzgerald.

8. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to move the previous motion for the sum of up to $750,000.

9. VOTED:  5-5-0.  For:  Alpert, Anderson, Goodman, Miller, Rose.  Against:  Feldman, Fitzgerald, Goldberg, Hitter, Lessard.

10. Discussion continued regarding the Finance Committee putting forward strong leadership not just approving or disapproving.

11. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Joel Alpert that the figure be $750,000.

12. VOTED:  6-4-0.  For:  Alpert, Anderson, Feldman, Goodman, Miller, Rose.  Against:  Fitzgerald, Goldberg, Hitter, Lessard.

13. ARTICLE 1.  Community Center.  Chuck Goodman stated that the number has been changed slightly from $8,976,835 to $9,019,192.  The difference is for a stove, range vent, and venting and piping to put into the Sr. Center part of the Community Center so they don’t have to go upstairs to get their food items.  The Council OnAging has raised $20,000.

14. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Jonathan Hitter to support the new number.

15. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Gloria Rose to reconsider.

16. VOTED:  10-0-0.

17. VOTED:  6-3-1.  For:  Feldman, Goldberg, Goodman, Hitter, Miller, Rose.  Against:  Alpert, Fitzgerald, Lessard.  Abstain:  Anderson.

18. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

19. VOTED:  10-0-0.

20. The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 P.M.