Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – November 6, 2006

Sharon High School Library – 7:30 P.M.

 

Members Present:  Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Brian Fitzgerald, Charles Goodman,

                              Jonathan Hitter, Ira Miller, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips, Gloria

                              Rose, Gregory Sydney (Hamilton)

               Absent:   Kenneth Goldberg, Joel Lessard

 

1.      OPEN WARRANT MEETING

 

2.      ARTICLE 1.  King Philip Estates Rescission.  This article is moot because of action that has been taken.

 

3.      Ben Puritz gave an update on Article 1.  It is somewhat of a nullity now.  The purpose was to rescind the authorization to acquire the property for $600,000.  The closing of that was this very day, November 6, 2006.  The Conservation Commission had a Purchase and Sale Agreement executed by the Conservation Commission for $600,000.

 

4.      There was some discussion on this article.

 

5.      ARTICLE 2.  Horizons for Youth Land Acquisition.

 

6.      Ben Puritz reported that the Selectmen have entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Good Will which is 57 acres; a total of 10 acres on the lake itself with 6.4 acres that are lakeside for recreation purposes.  The negotiations were conducted in accordance with a Confidentiality Agreement with the owner.  A Purchase and Sale Agreement was executed contingent on funding by the Town at the November 13 Special Town Meeting.  The Town went through a rigorous appraisal land study.  The price is $4,850,000, approximately $85,000 per acre.  $1.2 million of CPA funding to be applied to purchase price and that the balance of $3.65 million to be funded subject to a debt exclusion and approval by voters.  The Board of Selectmen will call for a Special Election approximately 30 to 90 days in January or February.  The Town to control the property.  This is one of the largest undeveloped parcels in Town except Rattlesnake Hill.  It is on the lake.  The Town is looking to use State grant CPA to help defray cost and develop capital plan to use the property.  Non-profit organizations interested in part for recreation and summer camp purposes.

 

7.      There was much discussion on this article including the decreasing of matching funds from 100%, undisturbed recreation area, maintenance of buildings on property, and having a master plan.

 

8.      Len Segal, resident, questioned school use because of proximity to lake with human waste off that general area.

 

9.      Corey Snow, Community Preservation Committee, answered questions regarding the borrowing and funding procedures of the Community Preservation Act.

 

10.  Corey Snow stated that the restriction was only on the amount you can borrow.  Nothing to do with what funds you pay, only what funds you use to back the bond.  With 100% match cuts expense by half.  As long as you get 100% match.  Maybe only one more year.

 

11.  George Bailey and Corey Snow will be invited to update the Finance Committee, prior to Town Meeting on the 13th, on the result of the next CPC meeting.

 

12.  ARTICLE 3.  Wilber School Lease

 

13.  Ben Puritz presented a history of the Wilber School and the Reuse committee.  Proposals were evaluated over the summer.  The Selectmen presented the highest recommended proposer, Frontier Associates, to the neighborhood in October.  This would include 55 independent living housing units and a reserve for an acre for Town use.  The proposal called for $165,000 in annual lease revenue.  Annual income $400,000 a year.  The Selectmen hope to have in place a Memorandum of Understanding by Town Meeting.  That would provide further specificity for the proposer’s response to the RFP.  The Selectmen need to be authorized to enter into a long term lease, more than 10 years, possibly up to 99 years.  With authorization, they can move forward and finalize a lease transaction.

 

14.  There was considerable discussion on this article especially to receiving the Memorandum of Agreement.

 

15.  ARTICLE 4.  Financial Analyst.  This committee recommended, 7-3-0.

 

16.  There was some discussion on this article.

 

17.  ARTICLE 5.  Expenditure of Community Preservation Funds.  There are five CPC recommendations.  We already heard about an additional one to be included at the next meeting which is the $1.2 million to defray Horizons for Youth land acquisition.  The other five are:  To appropriate $6,000 from Affordable Housing Repair Fund to repair floors at So. Pleasant Street housing.  This committee did not go along with CPC recommendation.  We thought it was an obligation of the State.  $136,000 to fund repair of roof at Hixson Farm.  This was not funded.  $10,000 for open space.  There was another recommendation to fund $4,800 of CPA funds for drinking fountains.  We felt it best under Operating Expense, and voted indefinite postponement.  $14,000 for Administrative Expenses and this committee recommended that 8-0-3.

 

18.  Joel Alpert stated that we would prefer to have the CPC develop priorities before spending money along with fact that we were funding State taxed properties.  This committee feels that priorities are necessary before going off and just spending money.

 

19.  ARTICLE 6.  Third Soccer Field.  7-1-1 in favor.

 

20.  Laura Nelson stated that she did a little more digging on Articles 6 and 7.  With Article 6 the Conservation Commission feels there is an allowable use for recreation purposes and there is no adverse information on this.  It is really Article 6 and 7.  She questioned that if Article 6 doesn’t pass, what will happen to Article 7?

 

21.  The Moderator, Paul Bouton, stated that he would know by next Monday.

 

22.  ARTICLE 7.  Soccer Field Lease.

 

23.  There was discussion held on this article which the Finance Committee had already voted in favor, 7-1-1.  A suggestion was made that Town Counsel should give an explanation of his opinion at Town Meeting.

 

24.  ARTICLE 8.  CSD Modifications.  It is detailed in the Warrant.  The committee met again with the representative of the Planning Board and we took a favorable position vote, 7-2-1.

 

25.  ARTICLE 9.  Lot Shape Factor, Frontage and Lot Width.  Amends frontage.  Looked into by our committee.  Should be indefinitely postponed.

 

26.  There was discussion on this article.  A summary of Joel Lessard’s arguments will be made at Town Meeting.

 

27.  ARTICLE 10.  Typographical Changes.  10-0-0 in favor.

 

28.  ARTICLE 11.  Street Acceptances.  Aspen Road, Sumac Lane.

 

29.  ARTICLE 12.  Vote of Absent Member, Zoning Board of Appeals.  Allow acceptance of a member of any Town board holding an adjudicatory hearing not being disqualified from voting by their absence from one hearing.

 

30.  There was some discussion held regarding the amended definition of what material be reviewed which would be a video or audio recording.

 

31.  ARTICLE 13.  Unemployment Fund.  No funds needed.

 

32.  ARTICLE 14.  Stabilization Fund.  This committee has been split over past few weeks whether to support or recommend this article or vote indefinite postponement.  Those feel in favor for Town to have fund for extraordinary expenditures that may be needed in the future.  An equal number feel should only be raised or borrowed when need has arisen.

 

33.  A MOTION was made by Brian Fitzgerald and SECONDED by Joel Alpert for indefinite postponement of Article 14.

 

34.  VOTED:  5-5-0.  For:  Alpert, Anderson, Fitzgerald, Nelson, Sydney.  Against:  Goodman, Hitter, Miller, Philips, Rose.

 

35.  A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Maria Anderson to reconsider Article 14.

 

36.  VOTED:  6-3-1.  Alpert, Anderson, Hitter, Miller, Nelson, Philips.  Against:  Fitzgerald, Goodman, Rose.  Abstain:  Sydney.

 

37.  A MOTION was made by Brian Fitzgerald and SECONDED by Maria Anderson for indefinite postponement of Article 14.

 

38.  VOTED:  5-4-1.  For:  Alpert, Anderson, Fitzgerald, Nelson, Sydney.  Against:  Goodman, Miller, Philips, Rose.  Abstain:  Hitter.

 

39.  ARTICLE 15.  Septic Loan Transfer.  Pro forma article.

 

40.  ARTICLE 16.  Chapter 90 Funds.  Pro forma article.  10-0-0.

 

41.  ARTICLE 17.  Wilber School Abatement Costs.  Placeholder.  No need for further funds for Wilber School Abatement.

 

42.  ARTICLE 18.  Cottage Street School Renovation.  Placeholder.  Indefinite postponement.

 

43.  ARTICLE 19.  Prior Year Bills, Zoning Board of Appeals.  A mechanism to pay obligation to pay legal bills incurred in 2006.

 

44.  There was discussion on the article.

 

45.  A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ted Philips to reconsider our recommendation on Article 19.

 

46.  There was some discussion on the motion.

 

47.  VOTED:  6-4-0.  For:  Alpert, Hitter, Miller, Nelson, Philips, Rose.  Against:  Anderson, Fitzgerald, Goodman, Sydney.

 

48.  A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ted Philips that the Town pay its obligation by appropriating $2,288.50.

 

49.  There was some discussion on the motion with a suggestion that there should have been an application for a Reserve Fund Transfer.

 

50.  VOTED:  5-2-3.  For:  Hitter, Miller, Nelson, Philips, Rose.  Against:  Fitzgerald, Goodman.  Abstain:  Alpert, Anderson, Sydney.

 

51.  ARTICLE 20.  Home Rule Petition for Affordable Housing.  Raise exemption.  The Finance Committee voted 9-1-0 for indefinite postponement.

 

52.  There was discussion held on this article.

 

53.  ARTICLE 21.  Intermunicipal Aid Agreement for Public Health Services.

 

54.  ARTICLE 22.  School Insurance Appropriation.  Proceeds from School Insurance to pay for damages based on fire to the school.

 

55.  There was considerable discussion on this article.  There was a question regarding two Article 22 motions.  One was to appropriate money for fire damage for school repairs, and one was for school purposes.  This would be discussed at the pre-Town Meeting tomorrow night.

 

56.  Ira Miller stated that the Finance Committee has two articles with no recommendation.

 

57.  Joel Alpert stated that there could be an addition to Article 5.

 

58.  OTHER BUSINESS

 

59.  There was discussion regarding the budget for FY’08.

 

60.  Ira Miller announced that the Town Meeting is next Monday in the High School Auditorium, 7 p.m.  The Finance Committee will meet at 6 p.m. in the High School Library.

 

61.  Jon Hitter reported on the first Capital Outlay meeting which was last Thursday.  They discussed King Philip Rock and the Purchase and Sale Agreement for $600,000.  The acquisition went forward.  How are we going to pay for this.  Horizons for Youth was discussed.  Same type of issue.  Capital Outlay meeting at 6:45 p.m. next Monday before Town Meeting.  After the Capital process is completed in March, if any funds are left over, those funds could be used to reduce debt on Horizons for Youth.  The next Capital Outlay meeting after Town Meeting will be the first of December.  The needs of all departments have to come forward before a recommendation is made.

 

62.  The next meeting will be November 13 at 6:00 p.m. at the High School Library.

 

63.  It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

 

64.  VOTED:  10-0-0.

 

65.  The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.