Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – February 6, 2006

High School Library, 7:30 P.M.

 

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

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

                               Rose (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Kenneth Goldberg, Gregory Sydney

 

1.      This is the 16th meeting of FY’06.  The first item on the agenda was a review of the Library budget which is the largest budget under the Finance Committee sector.  Barbra Nadler, Library Director, presented the budget.  Also present were Lynette Hardy, Assistant Director, and the Library Trustees.

 

2.      Discussion was held on this budget regarding the Library needing the level funded plus 5% to meet State requirements.  They must spend 15% of the bottom line on materials.  Sharon residents are big library users.  The cost per capita is $38.01 compared to the cost of $750,000 that was borrowed from other libraries.  It was also reported that another $48,000 would be needed if the library was to be open on Sundays.

 

3.      There was much discussion on each line item and because the numbers did not tie in, the budget should be re-submitted next week.  The Director was also going to bring in salaries with detail, staffing levels, and circulation charges of other towns:  Hingham, Scituate, Marblehead, Winchester and Marshfield.

 

4.      OTHER BUSINESS

 

5.      Chuck Goodman stated that there was going to be a meeting on Friday, February 10, at 2 p.m. with Ben Puritz, the Town Treasurer, and an outside accountant regarding the health insurance issue.

 

6.      It was suggested making a revision to the Finance Committee sector budgets and having them convince the Committee why it has to be what they indicated.  The only large budget left is the Conservation Commission which has to be done in February.  There will be more information after the Priorities meeting on February 16.

 

7.      Joel Alpert reported that there will be an open budget discussion next Wednesday at the Heights Elementary School.

 

8.      Ira Miller stated that David Grasfield is getting responses from requests to other towns regarding the health care information.

 

9.      Discussion was held regarding a Finance Director with a view to getting this into the Finance Committee budget.

 

10.  A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Michael Feldman to approve the Minutes of January 23, 2006.

 

11.  VOTED:  7-0-2.  For:  Alpert, Fitzgerald, Goodman, Hitter, Lessard, Miller, Rose.  Abstain:  Anderson, Feldman.

 

12.  Joel Lessard reported that he had tracked down the Chair, Michael Baskin, of the Townwide Comprehensive Facilities Planning Committee, and they should be taken off the list as they haven’t been active for a few years.

 

13.  Chuck Goodman stated that the abatement has to be done at the Wilber School.  If someone comes in, it’s better looking.  Town interest in the building.  It is our job to make sure it is done.

 

14.  Jonathan Hitter suggested that someone give us an update for next week.

 

15.  There was a discussion regarding an update on Rattlesnake Hill, what will be done with the $7,000,000, the cost to the town for water and past legal expenses, and that there should be a presentation in a couple of weeks from the new owner.

 

16.  Discussion was held regarding the Horizons for Youth property and possible purchase by the School Committee which is under advisement by the Selectmen.

 

17.  The Finance Committee should receive the signed Warrant to start final deliberations.  There may be 35 to 50 articles.

 

18.  A suggestion was made that the Finance Committee section in the Town Report be updated again.

 

19.  The next meeting will be on February 13 at the High School Library.

 

20.  It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

 

21.  VOTED:  9-0-0.

 

22.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.