Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – March 5, 2007

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

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

                               Jonathan Hitter, Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Gloria Rose, Gregory

                               Sydney (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Laura Nelson, Edward Philips

1. First on the agenda was Paul Linehan, Chairman of the Capital Outlay Committee, who gave a report prior to the Open Warrant Meeting.

2. Paul Linehan reported that Capital Outlay was successful in being both fiscally prudent and maintaining the Town’s fiscal constraint.  This year the committee voted not to exceed 6.5%.  To maintain the pay down plan to wean the town off debt, to maintain our capital infrastructure for direct purchase.  Capital request was reduced to $1.8 million to avoid 20-year borrowing.  To try to keep to five and ten year borrowing.  Reallocated surplus funds.  $43,000 to acoustical treatment at the high school for Special Education for hearing impairment.  $300,000 voted as a direct purchase amount this year which will go towards Mann’s Pond Dam and Memorial Beach building.  Surplus from Wilber abatement and Middle School to support the effort to allocate for Horizons for Youth.  He also reported that Brickstone Development may furnish the Fire Department with a pumper truck.  There were many items voted on unanimously, deferred or not funded to reduce the Capital Outlay budget.

3. There was considerable discussion on this in-depth report including needs of School Department, Police, Fire, and DPW.

4. The next item on the agenda was a Reserve Fund Transfer request by the Conservation Commission.  Ira Miller stated that there was $333,941 in the Reserve Fund.  We will have a request for the Administrative Secretary.  There was some balance due for vacation, around $20,000.  The Law Budget anticipates $50,000 deficit, Fire Department, $40-$50,000 due to injuries and fill-in.  Some apparatus maintenance expenses.  Veterans always have a request.  That is approximately $150-$160,000.

5. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Joel Lessard to allocate $25,000 to the Conservation Commission for a study on the Great Cedar Swamp.

6. Ira Miller stated that this was for the Great Cedar Swamp restoration to recharge the aquifer due to work previously done.  Water is not going back into aquifer.  Have the opportunity to get study done by an expert in the field.  Limited study by this expert.

7. There was much discussion on this motion.

8. VOTED:  8-1-0.  Against:  Hitter.

9. There was another request by the Conservation Commission for legal services for $7,000.  This request will be considered at a later date.

10. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Joel Lessard to table the meeting.

11. VOTED:  9-0-0.

12. Richard Gelerman, Town Counsel, presented a draft of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the S. Main Street Rezoning Proposal.

13. Richard Gelerman reported that Gobi, and Gobi Estate, is not part of the Memorandum, nor are Morse Bros.  Not part of the agreement.  This is the start of the regulatory process.  If zoning is not enacted next week, none of the things in the Memorandum except that the Town will be reimbursed for our cost.  All other commitments go away.  If zoning is adopted and approved by the Attorney General, then the items in the Memorandum of Understanding enumerated by Attorney Gelerman would occur and be in effect.

14. There was considerable discussion on this report with many comments and suggestions for some changes by the Finance Committee.  There was much concern regarding traffic, water, existing residents, and future plans for residential building.

15. Jon Hitter went as representative of the Finance Committee to the Pre-Town Meeting.

16. There was continued discussion on the Memorandum of Understanding.

17. There were residents of the Town who are abutters in attendance at the meeting.  They expressed their concerns regarding the water situation, private wells, traffic study, access through the residential area, and the Local Initiative Program.

18. There was a discussion of suggestions, deletions, and amendments, to be submitted to Selectmen.

19. Bill Heitin, Chair, Board of Selectmen, was available to explain Selectmen’s position on the Memorandum of Understanding and answer concerns of the Finance Committee including contributions of wetlands and bogs, restriction upon use, gift of land, and size of each store.

20. There was discussion held regarding items in Memorandum of Understanding of which some items were to be changed or reworded.

21. A suggestion was made to have a joint meeting with the Planning Board prior to Town Meeting to know their position before the Finance Committee votes and makes a recommendation.

22. There was a report on the Priorities meeting.  There was discussion on insurance and whether Priorities should take a position on an override for or against.

23. Chuck Goodman reported on the Governor’s budget regarding the Cherry Sheet.  Sharon was to receive only 2%.  It was 6% last year.

24. The opinion from Town Counsel regarding the library was received.  It was determined that the library could switch to the Selectmen’s sector.

25. A suggestion was made to try to institute that all budgets should go through the Town Accountant before it goes into certification.

26. OLD BUSINESS

27. A response to Paul Lauenstein’s comments will be finalized, and a full response will be sent.  “It’s Your Money” will be submitted to the Advocate.

28. The next meeting will be March 12 at 6 p.m.

29. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

30. VOTED:  9-0-0.

31. The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 p.m.

ACTION ITEM:  Discussion of Police vehicles to be put on the table at a later date.