Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – June 4, 2007

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

 

Members Present:  Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Charles Goodman, Jonathan Hitter, Josh

                               Kiernan, Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips,

                               Gregory Sydney (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Brian Fitzgerald, Gordon Gladstone

 

1.      The first item on the agenda of the first session of the new committee year was to welcome two new members, Josh Kiernan and Gordon Gladstone.  Maria Anderson and Brian Fitzgerald were appointed to another term.  The next item was to reorganize the committee.

 

2.      A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Maria Anderson to nominate Ira Miller as Chair.

 

3.      VOTED:  10-0-0.

 

4.      A MOTION was made by Chuck Goodman and SECONDED by Joel Lessard to nominate Joel Alpert as Vice Chair.

 

5.      VOTED:  10-0-0.

 

6.      A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Maria Anderson to nominate Laura Nelson as Vice Chair.

 

7.      VOTED:  10-0-0.

 

8.      A MOTION was made by Laura Nelson and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to nominate Maria Anderson as Clerk.

 

9.      VOTED:  10-0-0.

 

10.  The next item was to approve the minutes from the past the year.

 

11.  A MOTION was made by Maria Anderson and SECONDED by Joel Lessard to approve the minutes of January 22, 2007.

 

12.  VOTED:  8-0-2. Abstain:  Anderson, Kiernan.

 

13.  A MOTION was made by Maria Anderson and SECONDED by Jon Hitter to approve the minutes of January 29, 2007.

 

14.  VOTED:  8-0-2.  Abstain:  Kiernan, Nelson.

 

15.  A MOTION was made by Maria Anderson and SECONDED by Jon Hitter to approve the minutes of February 12, 2007.

 

16.  VOTED:  8-0-2.  Abstain:  Kiernan, Lessard.

 

17.  A MOTION was made by Maria Anderson and SECONDED by Jon Hitter to approve the minutes of February 26, 2007.

 

18.  VOTED:  6-0-4.  Abstain:  Anderson, Kiernan, Nelson, Sydney.

 

19.  A MOTION was made by Maria Anderson and SECONDED by Ted Philips to approve the minutes of March 5, 2007.

 

20.  VOTED:  7-0-3.  Abstain:  Kiernan, Nelson, Philips.

 

21.  A MOTION was made by Maria Anderson and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to approve the minutes of March 12, 2007.

 

22.  VOTED:  9-0-1.  Abstain:  Kiernan.

 

23.  A MOTION was made by Maria Anderson and SECONDED by Joel Lessard to approve the minutes of March 19, 2007.

 

24.  VOTED:  7-0-3.  Abstain:  Hitter, Kiernan, Philips.

 

25.  A MOTION was made by Maria Anderson and SECONDED by Jon Hitter to approve the minutes of March 26, 2007.

 

26.  VOTED:  7-0-3.  Abstain:  Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard.

 

27.  A MOTION was made by Maria Anderson and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to approve the minutes of March 28, 2007.

 

28.  VOTED:  7-0-3.  Abstain:  Kiernan, Lessard, Sydney.

 

29.  A MOTION was made by Maria Anderson and SECONDED by Ted Philips to approve the minutes of April 4, 2007.

 

30.  VOTED:  8-0-2.  Abstain:  Kiernan, Lessard.

 

31.  A MOTION was made by Maria Anderson and SECONDED by Ted Philips to approve the Executive Session minutes of April 4, 2007.

 

32.  VOTED:  7-0-3.  Abstain:  Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard.

 

33.  A MOTION was made by Maria Anderson and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to approve the minutes of April 9, 2007.

 

34.  VOTED:  5-0-5.  Abstain:  Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Philips, Sydney.

 

35.  A MOTION was made by Maria Anderson and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to approve the minutes of April 10, 2007.

 

36.  VOTED:  4-0-6.  Abstain:  Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Sydney.

 

37.  A MOTION was made by Maria Anderson and SECONDED by Ted Philips to approve the minutes of April 13, 2007.

 

38.  VOTED:  5-0-5.  Abstain:  Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Sydney.

 

39.  A MOTION was made by Maria Anderson and SECONDED by Joel Lessard to approve the minutes of April 23, 2007.

 

40.  VOTED:  8-0-2.  Abstain:  Anderson, Kiernan.

 

41.  A MOTION was made by Maria Anderson and SECONDED by Joel Lessard to approve the minutes of April 30, 2007.

 

42.  VOTED:  6-0-4.  Abstain:  Anderson, Kiernan, Nelson, Sydney.

 

43.  A MOTION was made by Maria Anderson and SECONDED by Ted Philips to approve the minutes of May 4, 2007.

 

44.  VOTED:  6-0-4.  Abstain:  Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Sydney.

 

45.  The next item on the agenda was the Committee Liaison assignments and setting goals for the coming year.

 

46.  There was considerable discussion held regarding the assignments and the goals including discussion of what was accomplished over the past year toward the goals.

 

47.  Two items that came up from the last year were that there were too many meetings and no information from other committees.

 

48.  The following is a list of goals for the coming year:  (1)  liaisons can get information from committees; (2)  health insurance; (3)  stay within Proposition 2.5%; (4)  attendance—75%; (5)  communicate;  (6)  more outreach;  (7)  more or better presentations; (8)  why we take certain positions; (9)  It’s Your Money—credit to Joel Alpert; (10)  have strong opinion; (11)  work better with Selectmen and School Committee; (12)  Rebuild relationship and communication; (13)  get information in timely manner; (14)  keep to time schedule and deadlines; (15)  need final information at an earlier date; (16)  change policy of waiting for other committees’ votes; (17)  explain things better so townspeople understand better; (18)  committee policy to get balanced information, not just one side; (19)  role is to educate; (20)  minimize increase—limit tax increase over the next year; (21)  open dialogue with Selectmen, Priorities, and School Committee; (22)  start looking at budget sooner; (23)  role of committee to analyze expenses and review budgets.

 

49.  There was continued discussion on more communication with other committees regarding health insurance and salaries with a goal to keeping increases within 2.5%.

 

50.  A suggestion was made to reorganize the Water Department into an Enterprise Fund and how to separate salaries from the budget.

 

51.  The next item on the agenda was Reserve Fund Transfers that must occur for FY’07.  Things that were of emergency and unforeseen nature.  From Board of Selectmen:  $153,000 with $50,000 in Law Expense; the Fire Department, for injury on duty, fill-in cost; Animal Control, litigation and expenses; Veterans Agent; Election expenses from the Town Clerk.

 

52.  There was some discussion held.

 

53.  Ira Miller stated that the next meeting will be June 11.  If we can’t meet then, we’ll defer to the 25th.

 

54.  Ira Miller stated that he appointed Chuck Goodman to represent the Finance Committee on the committee selecting a Finance Director which included representatives from Finance, Selectmen and Personnel.

 

55.  It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

 

56.  VOTED:  10-0-0.

 

57.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.