Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes March 14, 2005
Sharon High School Library 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Michael Feldman, Brian Fitzgerald, David Fixler, Kenneth Goldberg
(late), Charles Goodman (late), Ira Miller, Paul Pietal, (Hamilton)
Absent: David Hearne, Jonathan Hitter, Gloria Rose, Gregory Sydney
1. The meeting was opened with a recap of the Wilber Reuse meeting by David Fixler. The committee was leaning towards more than municipal use by including residential or retail. The goal is that they dont want the town to put any money into it. Their mandate would be to report and make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen. The Wilber Reuse Committee will have one more public meeting.
2. The first item on the agenda for this evening was the resident petition articles for Spring Town Meeting.
3. Gerald Wine and Wayne Bradley presented four petition articles, namely Expand Conservation Subdivision Design; Expand Flexible Development Requirements; Expand Conservation Subdivision Requirements; Amend Conservation Subdivision Design.
4. Gerald Wine presented Article BB for Amendment to the Conservation Subdivision Design (CSD) which would exclude Single Residence B Districts. Much discussion followed this presentation. The Planning Board was present and offered some input.
5. Wayne Bradley presented three articles. Article Y which is to expand the CSD to protect abutters. Discussion was held on this article regarding real estate value.
6. Article Z which is to expand the flexible development requirements regarding Public Safety. Continued discussion on this article regarding impact of increased traffic to this area.
7. Article AA which is to expand CSD requirements to create and maintain a buffer from existing property of 50 ft. from all abutting properties. Discussion on this Article with suggestion of cluster housing to create more open space.
8. The meeting continued with PLANNING BOARD Articles TT Eliminate Old Flexible Subdivision By-law; UU Change to Current CSD By-law; VV Modify MUOD; WW Modify Allowed Uses inn Business Districts. Making presentations were Gina Maniscalco, Vice Chair, and Arnold Cohen from the Planning Board.
9. (1) Article TT to be taken off the table.
10. (2) Article UU to correct and match age-qualified part and multi-family attached residences.
11. (3) Article VV Modify MUOD. Multiple Use Overlay District. A correction to business A, B & C.
12. (4) Article WW Modify Allowed Uses in Business Districts. The make up of what kinds of businesses are allowed in business district A & B because of where Wilber is located and many things would be excluded. Discussion continued on these articles. The Planning Board is to have a public meeting, possibly on April 13.
13. The Finance Committee would make recommendation at town meeting.
14. OTHER BUSINESS
15. It was reported that there would be no time to have any discussion with the Board of Selectmen on Executive salaries before going to the Personnel Board. The Finance Committee will go to the Personnel Board open meeting, possibly on March 24, and express concerns.
16. There is a Capital meeting tonight. Priorities meets this Wednesday at 5 P.M.
17. Discussion was held on how to use the $380,000.
18. A number of items were brought up for consideration: (1) A member of Finance Committee at salary negotiations?
19. Reported that the Chairman of the Finance Committee was invited for Department Head salaries, not performance.
20. (2) Elections and Registration. Is that budget coming under the Finance Committee?
21. David Grasfield stated that no formal vote was taken, but no one seemed against it.
22. (3) Detailed bill on the Satter case.
23. David Grasfield had sent a request six to eight weeks ago.
24. (4) Rattlesnake Hill. Look at financial figures.
25. Paul Pietal stated that it drew a positive response at the meeting.
26. David Grasfield said he has an outside expert packet on this.
27. (5) Details of W2 calendar year. Asked of Town Administrator to understand compensation of Police and Fire.
28. (6) Needed more information on Water Department. It was suggested that Mr. Goodman get this information and report back to the Finance Committee.
29. An announcement was made that there is an opening for Finance Committee. Four members terms are up, three are not returning. Up to five positions available.
30. There are three things to put in the warrant: (1) Recap of Reserve Funds. (2) Comparative computation analysis of tax rates for town meeting. (3) Comparative schedule of receipts and available funds for town meeting.
31. The next meeting will be on March 21 at the Town Hall.
32. MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
33. VOTED: 7-0-0.
34. The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 P.M.
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Open Action Item |
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Action Item |
Responsible |
Start |
Due |
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Determine number of union contracts |
Group |
12/13/04 |
1/31/05 |
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Analyze effect of union contracts on different departments and on budgets overall |
Group |
1/10/05 |
2/15/05 |
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Develop a model for salary projections |
Pietal and Grasfield to help out |
1/10/05 |
3/31/05 |
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Follow up ZBA budget for more Concrete numbers |
Pietal |
1/31/05 |
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