Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – March 27, 2006
School Administration Building, 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Michael Feldman, Brian Fitzgerald,
Kenneth Goldberg, Charles Goodman, Jonathan Hitter (late), Ira
Miller, Gloria Rose (late), Gregory Sydney (Hamilton)
Absent: Joel Lessard
1. This is the 23rd meeting of this fiscal year.
2. The first item was the Finance Committee’s 2007 budget. There was a 1.9% increase over the ’06 budget. The only questionable item was that the library was looking for $15,000 for materials to keep the library certified.
3. The following were changes from ’06: Moderator, 0; Assessor, down -4.7%; Personnel, up 7%; Town Clerk, up 3.1%; Conservation Commission, 16.3%; Lake Management, no increase; Planning Board, did not present budget; same as last year, no increase; Zoning Board of Appeals, 2.5%; Board of Health, 3.1% increase. $1,348,786; 1.9%, over $1,324,000 last year.
4. There was some discussion regarding the Assessors salaries.
5. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Brian Fitzgerald that the salary of the Assessors be reduced from $6,800 to $1,300 to be commensurate with the Selectmen’s salary.
6. There was discussion on the motion.
7. VOTED: 4-4-1. For: Alpert, Fitzgerald, Goldberg, Sydney. Against: Anderson, Goodman, Hitter, Miller. Abstain: Feldman. The motion did not pass.
8. It was decided to hear from the Assessors before taking a vote.
9. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Greg Sydney to approve all budgets as presented here except for the Library.
10. There was much discussion on this motion. No action was taken on this motion.
11. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ira Miller to approve all budgets as presented.
12. VOTED: 4-4-1. For: Fitzgerald, Goodman, Hitter, Miller. Against: Alpert, Feldman, Goldberg, Sydney. Abstain: Anderson.
13. A MOTION was made by Ken Goldberg and SECONDED by Maria Anderson to approve all budgets except for Assessors.
14. VOTED: 7-2-0. For: Alpert, Anderson, Feldman, Fitzgerald, Goldberg, Hitter, Miller. Against: Goodman, Sydney.
15. The next item on the agenda was the Selectmen’s Budget.
16. Joel Alpert stated that after researching salaries and benefits for town employees that recommending a 2.5% increase, as opposed to the 4.77%, that there would be a savings of $949,630 which would be more than enough to pay for the proposed override for the School Department.
17. There was considerable discussion regarding the salaries, revenues, maintenance, override, and necessity to keep budget at 2.5%. An alternative budget was proposed for Town Meeting.
18. Ira Miller stated that the Standing Building Committee is giving a report at Capital Outlay Meeting on Thursday regarding Wilber School in light of the new request for funding. The amount of money has increased in order to abate the building. A recommendation has been made by the Wilber Committee to accept the report that the building should be abated and demolished. The Historic Commission has voted not to demolish.
19. WARRANT ARTICLES
20. ARTICLE 1. Finance Committee Members. No report from Nominating Committee. The Finance Committee doesn’t make recommendation.
21. ARTICLE 2. Act Upon Reports. This is a pro forma article.
22. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ira Miller to approve Article 2 as written.
23. VOTED: 10-0-0.
24. ARTICLE 3. Government Study Committee Dissolution.
25. Gloria Rose reported that the Government Study Committee made recommendation to have two town meetings. Made other recommendations. There is nothing more to recommend to do for town government. At the town meeting they will make a report and will recommend to dissolve this committee and to look at a Charter Commission.
26. Action to be held on Article 3.
27. ARTICLE 4. Personnel By-law.
28. There was much discussion on this Article. Article 4 to be held.
29. ARTICLE 5. Budgets/Compensation of Elected Officers. This Article is to be held.
30. Discussion regarding budget options for Warrant.
31. ARTICLE 6. Donors of Sharon Friends of School Fund.
32. A MOTION was made by Gloria Rose and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to accept Article 6 as submitted by Board of Selectmen.
33. VOTED: 9-0-1. For: Alpert, Feldman, Fitzgerald, Goldberg, Goodman, Hitter, Miller, Rose, Sydney. Abstain: Anderson.
34. ARTICLE 7. Norfolk County Retirement.
35. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Jon Hitter to accept Article 7 as written.
36. VOTED: 10-0-0.
37. ARTICLE 8. Annual Audit.
38. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Gloria Rose to accept Article 8 as written.
39. VOTED: 10-0-0.
40. ARTICLE 9. Unemployment.
41. A MOTION was made by Gloria Rose and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to accept Article 9 as written.
42. VOTED: 10-0-0.
43. CAPITAL OUTLAY ARTICLES.
44. There was discussion regarding additional cost of Wilber School.
45. ARTICLE 10. Public Works – Streets & Sidewalks. Roads, $600,000; sidewalks, $150,000. To be done in FY’07.
46. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Jon Hitter to accept Article 10 as written.
47. VOTED: 8-2-0. For: Alpert, Feldman, Fitzgerald, Goldberg, Hitter, Miller, Rose, Sydney. Against: Anderson, Goodman.
48. ARTICLE 11. Public Works - Demolition of Sacred Heart Building, $250,000.
49. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ken Goldberg to approve Article 11.
50. VOTED: 3-7. For: Goldberg, Hitter, Sydney. Against: Alpert, Anderson, Feldman, Fitzgerald, Goodman, Miller, Rose.
51. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Joel Alpert for indefinite postponement of Article 11.
52. VOTED: 7-3-0. For: Alpert, Anderson, Feldman, Fitzgerald, Goodman, Miller, Rose. Against: Goldberg, Hitter, Sydney.
53. ARTICLE 12. Public Works – Vehicles & Equipment.
54. Discussion was held on this Article.
55. To be held for more information from DPW.
56. ARTICLE 13. School Committee. $1,622,708.
57. It was reported that this was unanimously recommended by Capital Outlay. Everything was unanimous except Civil Defense.
58. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to approve Article 13 School Committee list of requests.
59. VOTED: 9-0-1. For: Alpert, Anderson Feldman, Goldberg, Goodman, Hitter, Miller, Rose, Sydney. Abstain: Fitzgerald.
60. ARTICLE 14. Fire Department. $127,500.
61. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to approve Article 14 as written.
62. VOTED: 10-0-0.
63. ARTICLE 15. Police Department Vehicles. $93,000.
64. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ken Goldberg to approve Article 15 as written.
65. VOTED: 10-0-0.
66. ARTICLE 16. Equipment for Civil Defense. Cots and Storage Container; AM Radio Station, $30,000.
67. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Chuck Goodman to approve Article 16 as written.
68. VOTED: 2-7-1. For: Hitter, Miller. Against: Alpert, Anderson, Feldman, Fitzgerald, Goldberg, Rose, Sydney. Abstain: Goodman.
69. ARTICLE 16. Cots for Civil Defense.
70. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to fund the cots only in Article 16.
71. VOTED: 5-2-3. For: Feldman, Hitter, Miller, Rose, Sydney. Against: Anderson, Goldberg. Abstain: Alpert, Fitzgerald, Goodman.
72. ARTICLE 17. Library for Computers, $10,000.
73. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Jon Hitter to approve Article 17 as written.
74. VOTED: 8-1-1. For: Alpert, Anderson, Fitzgerald, Goldberg, Hitter, Miller, Rose, Sydney. Against: Feldman. Abstain: Goodman.
75. ARTICLE 18. Horizons for Youth Land Acquisition.
76. It was decided to defer discussion and get accurate information.
77. ARTICLE 19. King Philip Estates – Petition Article – K Buermann.
78. There was discussion on this Article.
79. A MOTION was made by Greg Sydney for Indefinite Postponement. There was no second.
80. There was continued discussion with the need to get more information from the Conservation Commission.
81. ARTICLE 20. Community Center Reconstruction. A placeholder. Deferred.
82. ARTICLE 21. Middle School Roof. Another placeholder. Deferred until amount is known.
83. ARTICLE 22. Middle School HVAC System. Deferred.
84. ARTICLE 23. Establishment of Trust for Sharon Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
85. To be discussed at tomorrow’s meeting with Jane Desberg, Sharon Housing Authority Executive Director.
86. ARTICLE 24. Veterans’ Exemption.
87. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Gloria Rose to approve Article 24 as written.
88. VOTED: 8-0-2. For: Anderson, Feldman, Fitzgerald, Goldberg, Goodman, Hitter, Miller, Rose. Abstain: Alpert, Sydney.
89. ARTICLE 25. Tax Deferral Program – Senior Relief. Hold until rate is known.
90. ARTICLE 26. Community Preservation Act Funding.
91. Alice Cheyer explained that 5% is $15,000, but $6,000 is the amount to be requested at Town Meeting.
92. To be held for more information.
93. ARTICLE 27. Community Preservation Act Exemptions.
94. Ira Miller explained that there was no deadline originally when to file an exemption. Without those dates, 20 years from today I could get an exemption from 2006. That would correct this item in the By-law. It is income based and age based.
95. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Jon Hitter to accept Article 27 as written.
96. VOTED: 10-0-0.
97. ARTICLE 28. Extend Five Leases P.O. Square and Billings St. Parking Lot
98. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Michael Feldman to accept Article 28 as written.
99. VOTED: 10-0-0.
100. ARTICLE 29. Extend Library Walkway Lease.
101. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Maria Anderson to accept Article 29 as written.
102. VOTED: 10-0-0.
103. ARTICLE 30. Change to Sign By-law- Planning Board.
104. A MOTION was made by Maria Anderson and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to accept Article 30 as written.
105. VOTED: 7-0-3. For: Alpert, Anderson, Feldman, Fitzgerald, Goldberg, Miller, Sydney. Abstain: Goodman, Hitter, Rose.
106. ARTICLE 31. Data Reinspection Contract.
107. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Ira Miller to accept Article 31 as written.
108. VOTED: 8-0-2. For: Alpert, Anderson, Feldman, Fitzgerald, Goldberg, Goodman, Miller, Sydney. Abstain: Hitter, Rose.
109. ARTICLE 32. Dog Licensing Rates.
110. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Brian Fitzgerald to approve Article 32 as written.
111. There was discussion held on this motion.
112. VOTED: 8-2-0. For: Alpert, Anderson Feldman, Goodman, Hitter, Miller, Rose, Sydney. Against: Fitzgerald, Goldberg.
113. ARTICLE 33. Mandatory Leash Law - Fees.
114. A MOTION was made by Ken Goldberg and SECONDED by Maria Anderson to approve Article 33 as written.
115. VOTED: 10-0-0.
116. ARTICLE 34. Storm Water By-law Amendment. Hold.
117. ARTICLE 35. By-law Change – Waste Containers.
118. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Gloria Rose to approve Article 35 as written.
119. VOTED: 7-0-3. For: Anderson, Feldman, Fitzgerald, Goodman, Hitter, Miller, Rose. Abstain: Alpert, Goldberg, Sydney.
120. ARTICLE 36. Carriage House - Historical Commission.
121. A MOTION was made by Gloria Rose and SECONDED by Ken Goldberg to accept Article 36 as written.
122. VOTED: 9-0-1. For: Alpert, Anderson, Feldman, Fitzgerald, Goldberg, Hitter, Miller, Rose, Sydney. Abstain: Goodman.
123. ARTICLE 37. Revolving Funds. Hold for accounting.
124. ARTICLE 38. Non-Criminal Disposition – Fines - Board of Health. Hold for more information.
125. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ira Miller to approve Article 38 as written.
126. Motion was withdrawn.
127. Ballot Question – Hold.
128. Continued discussion regarding recommendations for Warrant, alternatives to Articles 4 or 5, status of collective bargaining, negotiated contracts, and the need for information from labor counsel.
129. There was discussion on the status of the health insurance, consolidated maintenance program, custodians, privatization, and Horizons for Youth land.
130. Ben Puritz stated that there could be an interim lease for the Council On Aging and Recreation Department.
131. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 28.
132. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
133. VOTED: 10-0-0.
134. The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 p.m.