Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes –
High School Library –
Members Present: Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Michael Feldman, Brian Fitzgerald,
Charles Goodman, Jonathan Hitter (late), Joel Lessard, Ira Miller,
Gloria Rose
(late), Gregory Sydney (
Absent: Kenneth Goldberg
1. This is the 19th meeting of this fiscal year. The first item on the agenda was the Planning Board. Gina Maniscalco, Chair, and Arnold Cohen, Planning Board were present. They didn’t have their budget, but there was no substantial change from last year.
2. Gina Maniscalco presented a Warrant article which was a change to the Sign By-law. Right now if a business is on one street and abuts another, they can have a secondary sign. Drafting a new By-law for a business abutting a parking lot to have a secondary sign not larger than the first one. This would require a Special Permit.
3. There was discussion regarding this article.
4. The next item on the agenda was the budget review of all departments under the Finance Committee.
5. Barbra Nadler, Director; Lynette Hardy, Asst. Director and the Trustees, Abigail Marsters, Bob Levin, and Jackie Modiste were present. The Library was the first to discuss their budget.
6. There was much discussion regarding what could be reduced in the budget using a 2 ½% increase only.
7. Abigail Marsters stated that the Trustees will be meeting next week on Wednesday and would see what they can reduce.
8. The next budget review was the Board of Health, Linda Rosen and Sheila Miller were present.
9. Discussion was held and the budget will be a 2 ½% increase. They will try to raise some revenue at the flu clinic.
10. The next budget review was the Town Clerk, Marlene Chused, who was present.
11. There was discussion on this budget which is a 2 ½% increase. The Town Clerk’s job is statutory, but she raises revenue wherever she can.
12. According to Kurt Buermann, there is a developer who would build on this land and the historic site would be lost. He would like the town to buy the land for $600,000 as conservation land.
13. There was much discussion on this article.
14. Alice Cheyer announced that the CPA would be holding a public forum this Thursday in the High School Library. Guidelines available and application can be submitted.
15. The next item on the budget review was the Lake Management Committee, Cliff Towner, Chair.
16. There was discussion regarding the lake and its current condition.
17. The Chairman will manage with a 2 ½% increase and requiest a Reserve Fund Transfer if needed.
18. There was discussion on each of the budgets and how much was needed by each one.
19. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Brian Fitzgerald to eliminate elected official salary on Board of Assessors.
20. There was discussion on the motion and a suggestion to bring the Assessors in to consider this proposal.
21. Joel Alpert tabled the motion.
22. There was a suggestion that Greg Sydney give an update on the Personnel Board meeting.
23. Chuck Goodman stated that there were two items to discuss: (1) the health situation and (2)the Finance Director.
24. There was considerable discussion regarding the health insurance consultant. The Selectmen should have more information in the next two weeks.
25. There was a suggestion to have a health consultant come to the Finance Committee and Greg Sydney will get list of consultants, get one here within the next two weeks, get scope of work to Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen, and will go to Selectmen’s meeting tomorrow night.
26. Chuck Goodman announced that there is an Insurance Advisory Committee Meeting on March 20.
27. Chuck Goodman stated that Priorities voted to talk about a Finance Director with a placeholder of $80,000. The money is not available.
28. There was discussion on the Finance Director, and it was to be further discussed at Priorities on Wednesday night.
29. OTHER BUSINESS
30. Capital Outlay will be here on March 13 along with Selectmen sector budget review.
31. The next meeting will be March 13.
32. Gloria Rose announced that the Nominating Committee for the Finance Committee is looking for people to come in and interview for a position.
33. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Gloria Rose to go into Executive Session to vote on the Town Clerk’s salary and then adjourn.
34. VOTED: 10-0-0.
35. Went into
Executive Session at