Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – December 5, 2005

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

 

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

                               Kenneth Goldberg, Charles Goodman, Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Gloria

                               Rose, Gregory Sydney (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Jonathan Hitter

 

1.      This is the 12th meeting of this fiscal year.  The prior minutes were reviewed.

 

2.      It was MOVED and SECONDED to accept the minutes of June 6, 2005.

 

3.      VOTED:  7-0-3.

 

4.      The review of the minutes of September 12 were postponed because Joel Alpert and Jon Hitter, who was not present, had some comments to make.

 

5.      It was MOVED and SECONDED to accept the minutes of September 19, 2005.

 

6.      VOTED:  8-0-2.

 

7.      It was MOVED and SECONDED to accept the minutes of September 26, 2005.

 

8.      VOTED:  7-0-3.

 

9.      It was MOVED and SECONDED to accept the minutes of October 6, 2005, as amended.

 

10.  VOTED:  6-0-4.

 

11.  It was MOVED and SECONDED to accept the minutes of October 17, 2005.

 

12.  VOTED:  9-0-1.

 

13.  It was MOVED and SECONDED to accept the minutes of November 2, 2005.

 

14.  VOTED:  6-0-4.

 

15.  It was MOVED and SECONDED to accept the minutes of November 7, 2005.

 

16.  VOTED:  7-0-3.

 

17.  It was MOVED and SECONDED to accept the minutes of November 14, 2005.

 

18.  VOTED:  9-0-1.

 

19.  The Committee needs to review the budgets of the Board of Appeals, Board of Health, Planning Board, Board of Assessors, Conservation Commission, Personnel Board, Town Clerk, Library, and Lake Management.  They need to prepare three budgets for ’07.  Level funding, which is the same that was budgeted in prior year, plus 2 ½%, and plus 5%.  We are not requesting a minus 2 ½% at the moment.  Requested that the budgets be sent back by December 23.  Also review budgets under the Selectmen’s sector.  The major ones are Police, Fire, DPW and Water.  Explanation of the budget process was reviewed.

 

20.  A discussion was held on grants, and the impact on the Town regarding future consequences.

 

21.  There was a suggestion made that Committee members speak to the people beforehand their budgets and get their viewpoint.

 

22.  Ken Goldberg gave a summary of the Capital Outlay meeting.  Some of the big items were the tearing down of the Wilber School and the Sacred Heart School, which already had the asbestos removed.  Possibly to be replaced with replace with athletic facilities.  The long range plan is in the $200,000 to $300,000 range.  The Fire Department had five capital requests which included a new pumper truck, $500,000 - $550,000; new SUV for the Chief; off-road pumper to fight brush fires.  An extra set of gear at $1,500 each.  Thirty-five sets so each can have backup when gear goes in for cleaning.  It takes a day to dry.  35 x $1,500 = $52,500.  DPW, $600,000 for the renovation of roads and sidewalks; resurfacing a section of roads; new lawn mowers.  Police requested two new cruisers.

 

23.  Gloria Rose reported on the Children’s Room of the Library.  The walls and ceiling were painted.  Shelves and carpeting have been ordered.  The insurance will cover everything that was damaged.  They hope to have up and operational very soon.  The Library was inspected by both Roto Rooter and the DPW.  This was plain water, not sewerage.  However, all handles on toilers will be replaced so they shut off.

 

24.  Gloria Rose further reported that the Library’s vision is to use the space they have to the best they can and reconfigure space to use.  The long range plan would be a beautiful state of the art library.  An endowment fund is putting together a project.

 

25.  Ira Miller reported on the Selectmen’s Meeting.  They voted to open warrant for annual May Town Meeting.  The Fall Town Meeting went as well as it could have been expected but for a few exceptions.  All parties are in agreement once it’s closed there will be no additions, unless there is an emergency.  Our goal is to have everything in the Warrant.

 

26.  The available dates for future meetings are as follows:  Jan. 9; Jan. 23; Jan. 30; Feb. 6; Feb. 13; Feb. 27; Mar. 6; Mar. 13; Mar. 20; Mar. 27.

 

27.  The next meeting will be January 9, 2006.

 

28.  It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

 

29.  VOTED:  10-0-0.

 

30.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 P.M.