Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – March 19, 2007

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

Members Present:  Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Charles Goodman, Joel Lessard, Ira

                               Miller, Laura Nelson, Gregory Sydney (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Brian Fitzgerald, Jonathan Hitter, Edward Philips, Gloria Rose

1. The agenda was to review the Selectmen’s Budget.

2. Ben Puritz made a second presentation of the upcoming budget of July 1, 2007-2008.

3. There was some general discussion held regarding the Fire, Police and DPW budgets.

4. FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET

5. Chief Dennis Mann presented the Fire Department budget of which 92.5% is salary related and 7% is for equipment and supplies.  He stated the need for more firefighters, more training, and more competitive salaries since he is losing people to communities that can pay more.

6. There was much discussion on this budget and the need for a new main building and a substation.

7. POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET

8. Chief Joseph Bernstein made the presentation.  He stated he has 27 officers.  He should be at 36 based on population.  He made an adjustment in the Crossing Guards.

9. There was much discussion regarding use of staff, use of officer at high school, and checking out fuel efficient vehicles.

10. Chief Bernstein reported that accidents with personal injuries have gone down due to increased attention to traffic control.

11. DPW AND WATER DEPARTMENT BUDGET

12. Eric Hooper, Superintendent of the DPW, gave the presentation.  The budget is 75% salary and 25% services.

13. There was discussion held on this budget.

14. There was continued discussion on the Water Department budget of which a rate increase will be implemented.  There was also discussion regarding the town wells, problems at the sites, and how much water is available before having to join the MWRA.

15. SELECTMEN’S BUDGET, TOWN ACCOUNTANT

16. Ben Puritz spoke regarding the Finance Director position.  It was proposed to have that position be Finance Director/Town Accountant at $90,000 per annum salary with additional benefits at 35%.

17. There was much discussion regarding the Finance Director’s position.

18. Ben Puritz reported that the audit report is in draft form and is expected to be released next week.

19. Ira Miller reported on correspondence from Ken Goldberg, as follows:  “Please be advised that I am submitting my resignation to the Town Clerk as of February 23.”  This was recently received.  We have a recommendation from the Nominating Committee of the Finance Committee.

20. There was some discussion regarding the person nominated to fill Ken Goldberg’s position on the committee.  Ira Miller will invite him to come to a meeting.  There is also a Reserve Fund transfer for the Administrative Secretary in the amount of $20,000.

21. Joel Alpert reported that the reason that our articles haven’t been in the Advocate is that we have our third editor of the year.

22. There will be two meetings next week.  One with the School Department and the other with George Bailey and his Warrant article.

23. The Finance Committee vote on Article 1 of the Special Town Meeting, March 12, was 8-1-1 in favor of Article 1.

24. Joel Alpert commended all the people who came to the Town Meeting.  Selectmen generated well.  There should be more opinion time.

25. There was some discussion regarding the Special Town Meeting.

26. The next meeting will be March 26.

27. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

28. VOTED:  7-0-0.

29. The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 p.m.