Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes –
Members Present: Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Michael Feldman, Brian Fitzgerald,
Kenneth Goldberg (late), Charles Goodman, Jonathan Hitter, Ira
Miller, Gloria Rose (late), (Hamilton)
Absent: Joel Lessard, Gregory Sydney
1. This is the 21st meeting for this fiscal year. Chuck Goodman stated that we will continue to review Board of Selectmen budgets. At the last meeting when we went off the air, we went over the Fire Department budget given by Chief Mann. What they were proposing was fine. We will hear the remainder of the Selectmen’s budget. The Council on Aging was first on the agenda.
2. Council on Aging, Norma Fitzgerald, Director, presented the budget. There was discussion on this budget which is an increase of 2.1% in total.
3. The next item was the Recreation Department, Dave Clifton presenting the budget. This may be Dave Clifton’s last time before the Finance Committee. He indicated the Community Center may open in September 2007. There was discussion on this budget.
4. Don Hillegass and Rob Uttyebroek presented the Technology and MUNIS budget.
5. There was discussion held on this budget which has decreased almost 1.1%.
6. The next budget was presented by Diane Malcolmson, Animal Control Officer.
7. There was discussion on this budget with a 2 ½% increase.
8. The next budget was the Treasurer, Rob Uttyebroek. There was discussion on this 3.1% increased budget.
9. The next item was the Water Department with Eric Hooper presenting the budget.
10. Eric Hooper stated that with some adjustments and shifting justified items to the Water Department, the crossing guards and the custodian for the library were reinstated. There was much discussion on this budget.
11. The next item was the Selectmen’s budget presented by Ben Puritz. There was discussion on this budget with a 1.2% increase overall.
12. The next budget is the Accountant presented by Ben Puritz. There was discussion on this budget with a 2.3% increase.
13. The Law Budget was presented by Ben Puritz. There was discussion on this budget with a 4.71% increase.
14. The next budget was Elections and Registrations presented by Ben Puritz with an 18% increase due to additional elections, the primary and State elections.
15. The next item was Town Reports which is going down.
16. The next item was Sealer of Weights which is up 2.4%.
17. The next item was the Animal Inspector which is up 3%.
18. The next item was Civil Defense at 2 ½%.
19. The next item was Veterans Affairs which is up 2 ½%.
20. The next item was Veterans Graves with no change.
21. The next item was the Historical Commission with no change.
22. The next item was Community Celebration with no change which is run by the Recreation Department.
23. The next
item was the
24. The next item was Street Lighting which was up substantially due to energy costs. A savings of $250,000 was made by using energy saving lights.
25. Chuck Goodman stated that the Finance Committee changed things around so there would be nobody let go. We’re out for the best interest for the taxpayer of the town.
26. OTHER BUSINESS
27. There was some discussion regarding the Warrant with only two weeks to do deliberations, take votes, and write recommendations.
28. The next meeting will be on Monday, March 27.
29. Gloria Rose announced that anyone interested in serving on the Finance Committee to contact Corey Snow at the Town Hall.
30. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
31. VOTED: 9-0-0.
32. The meeting
adjourned at