Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – February 26, 2007

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

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

                               (late), Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Edward Philips, Gloria Rose

                               (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Maria Anderson, Laura Nelson, Gregory Sydney

1. The first item on the agenda was to review the Library budget.  Present from the Library were Barbra Nadler, Bob Levy, and Jackie Modiste.

2. Barbra Nadler presented the budget and the need to meet requirements to receive State Aid and to be able to borrow from other towns.  She read the Library’s Mission Statement and also stated some of the changes to be made in the upper level space.

3. There was much discussion held on this budget including health insurance, salaries, and hours the Library is open.

4. The next item on the agenda was the Selectmen Budget Overview.

5. Ben Puritz made the presentation for the Board of Selectmen.

6. There was discussion held on this overview, and it was stated by Ben Puritz that having the $500,000 pay down available could present a problem in the ’09 budget.

7. The next item on the agenda was more information on the S. Main Street Rezoning proposal regarding the analysis.

8. Sam Liao reported on the cost per student to the schools, the trend of the school population, and the capacity in the schools and when a new facility might be needed.

9. There was considerable discussion on this report.

10. Ira Miller stated that next week the Finance Committee will need to take a position to take a vote prior to town meeting and make a recommendation.  The revenue projections are still showing the commercial model gives the most revenue.

11. Chuck Goodman stated it is about $1.5 million.  He also stated he didn’t know what year that comes in.

12. OLD BUSINESS

13. The Finance Committee needs to discuss the letter to Paul Lauenstein.  It was announced that Capital Outlay is meeting Thursday, March 1, and Priorities is also meeting on Thursday.

14. There was some discussion regarding the traffic study for the S. Main Street rezoning proposal which should be available at the Planning Board hearing on Wednesday, February 28.

15. NEW BUSINESS

16. A request for a Reserve Fund Transfer was made by the Conservation Commission.

17. Peg Arguimbau made the presentation regarding an opportunity to restore Great Cedar Swamp.  The total needed was $32,000, $7,000 for legal services for King Phillip Estate, and $25,000 for the consultant on the Swamp restoration.  The consultant was only available this spring which made this an extraordinary and unforeseen expenditure.

18. There was much discussion on this request.

19. There was continued discussion regarding the upcoming Annual Town Meeting and the possible need for additional meetings for deliberations on articles.

20. There was some discussion regarding Priorities Meeting and the question of the Finance Director position.

21. There was some discussion regarding land owned by Frank Gobi on the other side of Rte. 95 and how this might be developed.

22. The next meeting will be on March 5, the Open Warrant Meeting.

23. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

24. VOTED:  8-0-0.

25. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m.