Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – June 5, 2006

School Administration Building – 7:30 P.M.

 

Members Present:  Joel Alpert, Charles Goodman, Jonathan Hitter, (non-voting), Joel

                               Lessard, Ira Miller, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips, Gloria Rose

                               (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Maria Anderson, Brian Fitzgerald, Kenneth Goldberg, Gregory

                               Sydney

 

1.      This is the 32nd meeting of this fiscal year.

 

2.      The first item on the agenda was to Review FY’06 and how the committee performed.

 

3.      Joel Alpert commented on the lack of communication and the need to make a stronger attempt to get articles written and to update our website.

 

4.      There was also discussion regarding the need for information in a timely manner in order to make decisions.

 

5.      Chuck Goodman announced that the Town of Easton had sent out information to chairmen of all Finance Committees and Town Administrators recommending that each town not vote a 4.5% increase from each town.  He stated we have already approved the budget and if it was months ago we could have discussed it.  The Priorities Committee uses State Aid from the Governor’s figures.  The last Senate figures were $77,000 more than what the Romney budget is.  That is net less the charge backs.

 

6.      Ted Philips commented that the Senate numbers are not final.  The House numbers were less than the Senate.  He warned to be careful until the numbers are confirmed.

 

7.      Discussion was held regarding an alternate budget which should be started at the end of the summer.  Also a suggestion that all three sectors work together to prepare a budget using the same percentage and the same format.

 

8.      There was discussion regarding health insurance, keeping an eye on that, and the hiring of a health insurance consultant.

 

9.      The next item on the agenda was Reserve Fund Transfers which comes under Chapter 40, Section 6 and is to provide for extraordinary and unforeseen expenditures.  The Finance Committee needs to provide approval of all Reserve Fund Transfers.  In May 2006, Chapter 77 provided for transfers between departments.  Now you can transfer from one department to another but schools cannot transfer or exceed $5,000.

 

10.  Ben Puritz stated that this had been temporary but now was permanently enacted.  3% of the $5,000.

 

11.  Chuck Goodman stated we have approximately $333,000 in the Reserve Fund.  Originally there was $350,000.  We had to take $16,000 from the Reserve Fund to put in this budget.  The first request was the Veterans Services for $2,162.

 

12.  Ben Puritz made a presentation on behalf of Paul Bergeron, Veterans Agent, who could not attend.  A budget status and formal request for transfer was provided and information given to the committee.

 

13.  A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to accept this Reserve Fund Transfer to the Veterans Services in the amount of $2,162.00.

 

14.  VOTED:  7-0-0.

 

15.  The next request was from the Conservation Commission.

 

16.  Greg Meister, Conservation Administrator, reported on the projected need for Reserve Fund Transfer due to increase in clerical support and the need for storage space.  There were over expenditures of the office supply budget.  This was the first time for a Reserve Fund request.  Originally the amount was to be $6,331.  Now it will be $4,500.

 

17.  Discussion was held on this request, and it will be brought up again upon receipt of formal requested amount.

 

18.  The next item for Reserve Fund Transfer was the DPW with Eric Hooper, Superintendent, making the presentation.

 

19.  Eric Hooper stated that his request was for $45,000 for the trailer used by the Recreation Department and Standing Building Committee.  It has become an opportunity because Horizons for Youth will be used for the Recreation Department.  He was making a request that we purchase the trailer and invest $45,000 for 15 years.  He stated that if we don’t do this now, he will need to request $15,000 or $20,000 for Capital Outlay for repair of their current trailer.  He had been given quotes on a two to four year old trailer in the amount of $60,000 - $70,000 double wide, stripped.  They have a single wide and are requesting a double wide for the next 15 years.

 

20.  There was much discussion regarding the need for more storage space and office space, and the found opportunity that was unforeseen.

 

21.  A suggestion was made to lease the trailer at a cost of $1,500 per month.  The cost of Horizons for Youth is $500 per month.

 

22.  Eric Hooper will do an analysis of the DPW building for next Monday’s meeting in order to help the committee decide on the DPW request.

 

23.  The next item on the agenda was elections.  The committee needed to nominate a Chairman, two Vice Chairs, and a Clerk.  Those are for a one year term.

 

24.  A MOTION was made by Chuck Goodman and SECONDED by Gloria Rose to nominate Ira Miller for Chairman for Fiscal Year ‘07.

 

25.  VOTED:  7-0-0.

 

26.  Ira Miller thanked Chuck Goodman for the year he put in as Chairman.  There was a large amount of work before Town Meeting and his detailed approach.

 

27.  A MOTION was made by Joel Lessard and SECONDED by Chuck Goodman to nominate Joel Alpert for Vice Chair for Fiscal Year ’07.

 

28.  VOTED:  6-0-1.  For:  Alpert, Goodman, Lessard, Nelson, Philips, Rose.  Abstain:  Miller.

 

29.  A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Ted Philips to nominate Gloria Rose for Vice Chair for Fiscal Year ’07.

 

30.  VOTED:  7-0-0.

 

31.  A MOTION was made by Gloria Rose and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to nominate Jonathan Hitter for Clerk for Fiscal Year ’07.

 

32.  VOTED:  7-0-0.

 

33.  Chuck Goodman reported that the Wilber School sent a Request For Proposal.  They put things out to bid.  I was under the understanding they were going to do an abatement of asbestos.  The Finance Committee pushed to get that started.  There is going to be over $4 million spent on Wilber School.  There will be zoning problems in rezoning and big discussions about affordable housing and the cost involved.

 

34.  There was some discussion on goals of the committee for next year.  Suggestions were made on having information prior to meetings, budgets, and Revolving Funds.  There would be more discussion when the full committee is present.

 

35.  Discussion will be held regarding Revolving Funds after the Reserve Fund process.

 

36.  Ira Miller reported on the proposed schedule for Town Meeting.  The Warrant is open and the date for closing the Warrant is July 17.  Town Meeting date is the 13th of November.

 

37.  Committee assignments on what you’re interests are as far as liaison will be discussed at the next meeting.

 

38.  Getting a Finance Director was a topic for discussion.

 

39.  Ira Miller stated that on Monday, June 12, the Finance Committee will discuss Reserve Fund Transfers based on tonight’s discussion and what new information is received.

 

40.  The next meeting will be June 12 at 7:30 p.m.

 

41.  It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

 

42.  VOTED:  7-0-0.

 

43.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.