Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – July 10, 2006

School Administration Building – 7:30 P.M.

Members Present:  Joel Alpert, Brian Fitzgerald, Kenneth Goldberg, Joel Lessard, Ira

                               Miller, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips, Gloria Rose, Gregory Sydney

                               (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Maria Anderson, Charles Goodman, Jonathan Hitter

1. This was the first meeting of FY’07.  The first item on the agenda was the Reserve Fund Transfer on the Finance Committee due to the sharing of the Priorities Committee of secretarial services which raised the problem of extraordinary salary expense for a total of $717.78 from an overage of $1,268.  One of the members, Laura Nelson, went to a seminar for $84.69.  The total to be transferred is $802.47.

2. There was discussion held regarding the transfer.

3. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Brian Fitzgerald to make a Reserve Fund Transfer in the amount of $802.47 to the Finance Committee account.

4. VOTED:  9-0-0.

5. The next item on the agenda was committee assignments.

6. There was much discussion regarding the number of boards and committees and the designation of assignments.

7. Suggestions were made regarding the budgeting format, adding the Wilber School Redevelopment Committee to the list, and asking the boards and committees to notify the Finance Committee when they are having a meeting.

8. Discussion was held on the School Committee assignment.  The committee will take Dr. Jackson up on her offer to give us a primer on the School budgeting process.

9. Joel Alpert reported on his experience as committee representative last year.

10. Greg Sydney volunteered to be the School Committee liaison with Maria Anderson.

11. Discussion continued on committee assignments.  Brian Fitzgerald wanted to be considered as liaison for the Standing Building Committee.  Some of the assignments were as follows:

12. PRIORITIES:  Ira Miller, Chuck Goodman, Joel Alpert, alternate.

13. CAPITAL OUTLAY:  Jon Hitter, Gloria Rose, Brian Fitzgerald, alternate.

14. SELECTMEN Meeting:  Gloria Rose and Joel Alpert, Brian Fitzgerald to job share.  Also Joel Lessard, Ted Philips.

15. LIBRARY:  Laura Nelson.

16. BOARD OF HEALTH:  Greg Sydney will monitor the e-mail.

17. DPW, POLICE and FIRE:  Ted Philips, Ira Miller.

18. RECREATION DEPARTMENT:  Ted Philips.

19. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & COMMERCIALIZATION COMMITTEE:  Ken Goldberg will be liaison.

20. There was discussion on the Wilber School Redevelopment Committee regarding an Evaluation Committee to be appointed.  A suggestion was made that Brian Fitzgerald keep the Finance Committee informed on the progress.

21. CONSERVATION COMMISSION:  Laura Nelson.

22. COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE:  Ken Goldberg.

23. TOWN WIDE FACILITIES:  Joel Lessard to monitor.

24. A question was raised as to which Selectman is going to be liaison to our committee, but it wasn’t known at this meeting.

25. Joel Alpert reported on putting an article in the Sharon Advocate in order to inform the public about the committee and its work.

26. There was a discussion regarding a financial analyst and putting an article in the Warrant about this.

27. Joel Alpert stated that there should be an in-house library.  Minutes to be done each week.  Time to analyze information.  No vote on information just received.  Structure our meetings a little more.  Keep track of request for information through e-mail.

28. Discussion on difficulty when Warrant articles are changed after closing date.

29. Suggestion to start our deliberations earlier in order to make recommendations.

30. Discussion was held on the order of the articles at Town Meeting, attendance at Town Meeting, have questions prepared before presentation of articles, and committee to be more proactive.

31. The committee evaluated goals from the prior year:  Standard budget format—it was better this year; members of Finance Committee to sit on negotiating team; issue of fees, such as dog licenses, and how it was determined—found out where they were compared with other towns.

32. Joel Alpert stated that we obtain information prior to meeting.  Open candor, regular attendance.  We should re-vote 80% attendance.  We should continue with 2.5 limit.  More detail on salaries—we saw progress on that one.  Fiscal accountability.  We are an advisory committee.  Didn’t have a lot of control.  We should look at ways to increase our control points without changing by-laws.  Increase people coming in a timely fashion.  Having an article in the Sharon Advocate will make us visible to increase accountability.  Requires good presentation and information.

33. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Joel Lessard that we approve the submission to the Sharon Advocate of the article of July 10 of “It’s Your Money” that was circulated.

34. There was some discussion on the motion.

35. VOTED:  8-0-0.

36. A MOTION was made by Joel Lessard that the Executive Committee approve the article.  There was no second on this motion.

37. NEW BUSINESS

38. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Joel Lessard that we ask for a placeholder for this upcoming Fall Town Meeting for a Financial Analyst to report to the Finance Committee.

39. VOTED:  8-0-0.

40. Joel Alpert mentioned that the Stabilization Fund was left off from Priorities.

41. Ira Miller stated that at the next meeting to list any points of discussion.  Also to discuss some of these items on the list of Warrant articles.  There may be some contracts to review.

42. A suggestion was made to schedule meetings on July 24, August 7 and 21.

43. Ira Miller announced that people should come to the Finance Committee meetings to help with discussion.  If you can’t make it in person, please watch.  Send your comments to sharonfincom@yahoo.com.

44. Ira Miller reported on the mail to the Finance Committee that some people are in opposition to our approval of Reserve Fund Transfer to the School Department.  The Reserve Fund Transfer was a separate issue than the issue of the override.  There was an overage to the line items on the price of gas, oil and electricity that was unforeseen.  The majority felt that it was approved.  We respect the opinion of the writers, and they should respect the position of the committee as well.

45. The next meeting will be July 24.

46. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

47. VOTED:  8-0-0.

48. The meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.