Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – September 12, 2005

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

Members Present: Joel Alpert, Boris Deychman, Michael Feldman, Brian Fitzgerald,

Charles Goodman, Jonathan Hitter, Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Gloria

Rose, Gregory Sydney (Hamilton)

Absent: Maria Anderson, Kenneth Goldberg

First item on the agenda was the School Committee with an emergency request. Don Gilligan made the presentation regarding 221 holes between classrooms and the hall. The Building Inspector, Joe Kent, notified the School Committee that the holes need to be fixed. The current appropriation from the town to the Standing Building Committee to do the roof and HVAC does not cover this repair. The request to the Finance Committee was for allocation from the Emergency Fund in the amount of $35,000.

After much discussion, it was determined that the Finance Committee would consider a $35,000 Reserve Fund Transfer if the School Department could not fund it out of their current budget.

The second item on the agenda was the proponents of the Community Center to make a presentation on the status. Tom Charlotta, the Design Architect, informed the Finance Committee and the audience, which included David Clifton, Recreation Department Director; Arnold Kublin, Sr. Center; Gordon Gladstone and Maureen Doherty, Standing Building Committee; and Friends of the Community Center, a group having education meetings on the Community Center, about the feasibility study and what would be done to the building. He stated the design plans should be completed by November 1, and the budget should be ready in early October.

There was discussion as to whether or not there would be enough information available before the Fall Town Meeting.

Ben Puritz stated that he spoke with Sharon Gaye, the Grant Writer for the Sr. Center. It is not a foregone conclusion that the pursuit of the grant is guaranteed. There was discussion regarding the grant.

The next item on the agenda was a presentation by Fire Chief Dennis Mann about what it takes to have a Fire Department in Sharon. He provided an in-depth report on what his department does, manpower, paramedics, and status of equipment.

The next item on the agenda was a presentation from Eric Hooper, Superintendent of the DPW.

He discussed four budgets under the DPW: (1) Waste Removal Budget—contract with SEMASS. (2) Street Lighting Budget. (3) Operations—roads/sidewalks; Forest & Grounds—schools/town buildings. (4) Water Department. Most of the DPW budget consists of salary and wages, material and services—fuel related costs, regular salary and overtime are winter storm related.

Discussion was held regarding the DPW budget, the increased cost of fuel and how this would affect the budget.

Mr. Hooper gave an informative report on the different types of Water Meter Reader Systems.

Ben Puritz stated that the Board of Selectmen appointed a committee to assess the types of Meter Readers.

Gloria Rose reported on what was done on the budgets under the Finance Committee control. She suggested a Minus 2 ½%, Plus, and Level Funded budgets, including contractual obligations, and making a projection for the following year using rate of inflation. She also suggested to think ahead on long-term and short-term range. There was discussion following this report.

ARTICLE 4: Law Budget Supplement. Ben Puritz stated this was a placeholder if Selectmen and the Finance Committee think of augmenting $25,000 and $50,000 over and above $97,000. Much discussion followed.

Ben Puritz stated this was a placeholder. The purpose is to allow for potential for Collective Bargaining Agreements to confirm on the funding of that agreement in 30 days. Discussion continued on this Article.

A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Charles Goodman to approve the minutes of August 15, 2005.

A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Charles Goodman to approve the minutes of July 11, 2005.