Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – December 11, 2006

Town Hall, Lower Level Hearing Room – 7:30 P.M.

Members Present:  Joel Alpert, Brian Fitzgerald, Charles Goodman, Jonathan Hitter, Joel

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

                               Gregory Sydney, (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Maria Anderson, Kenneth Goldberg

1. The agenda was to discuss sectors and budgets for the Town.  That discussion was held in order to have the Finance Committee’s position going forward.  The Selectmen voted to have the library under their sector.  That was two of the three parties.

2. There was much discussion regarding how the departments were divided into sectors for budget purposes.

3. Joel Alpert stated that there are three positions:  (1)  Give the Selectmen all the budgets and Finance Committee review.  (2)  Finance Committee take all budgets and Selectmen review.  (3)  Leave status quo.

4. There was discussion held on each of the positions.

5. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Gregory Sydney to maintain the status quo and to request a budget from the library and act as though they are within our sector.

6. There was discussion held on the motion.

7. A MOTION was made by Brian Fitzgerald and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to amend the motion that the library will be retained in the Finance Committee sector for the purpose of budgets.

8. VOTED on Main Motion:  9-1-0.  Against:  Philips.

9. VOTED on Amendment:  9-1-0.  Against:  Philips.

10. The Finance Committee sector budgets are due January 8.  The budget review of the Finance Committee sector should start January 22.

11. Ira Miller listed the issues that we have been discussing for quite awhile that need to be addressed prior to Town Meeting:  (1)  Department budgets.  (2)  Selectmen budgets.  (3)  School Committee budget.  (4)  Contract negotiations recently and currently underway.  (5)  Health insurance consultant.  It was in the town’s best interest not to hire the last candidate.  (6)  Town side facilities maintenance plan.  (7)  The Warrant will close January 23.  We should receive a draft list of Warrant Articles.  Schedule review of articles.  (8)  Update from Standing Building Committee.  Actual expenditures as to what was budgeted.  The Community Center.  Hazardous waste removal by end of month.  (9)  Planning Board article that came before us in Special Town Meeting, inclusionary zoning for 10%.  (10)  Town finance personnel reorganization at Board of Selectmen.  (11)  Warrant.  Reviewing all articles, write recommendations, prepare FY’08 budget.  Review any override request.

12. There was some discussion on this list of items.

13. Additional items to discuss:  (1)  Water Department making into Enterprise Fund as a Warrant article.  (2)  Return on investment policy that was dated 1993 as a draft.  (3)  Town finance reorganization.  (4)  Revolving Funds to be reviewed.  (4)  Finance Director vs. Financial Analyst.

14. There was continued discussion.

15. Laura Nelson suggested setting up an e-mail group to receive all e-mails sent to sharonfincom@yahoo.com.

16. Jon Hitter reported on activities of the Capital Outlay Committee.

17. Ira Miller stated that this committee should discuss what is an appropriate allocation for Capital Outlay.

18. There was much discussion on the Capital Outlay report regarding clarification of funding source.

19. Ira Miller stated that this committee voted, 8-1-1 for an indefinite postponement of Article 19, King Philip Rock.  No appraisal and no identified funding source.

20. The next meeting will be on January 8, then January 22.

21. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

22. VOTED:  10-0-0.

23. The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.