Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – March 28, 2007
Sharon High School Library – 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Charles Goodman, Jonathan Hitter
(late), Ira Miller, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips (Hamilton)
Absent: Brian Fitzgerald, Joel Lessard, Gloria Rose, Gregory Sydney
1. The first item on the agenda was the Brickstone Development presentation.
2. John Twohig introduced John Kusmiersky and Marty Spagat and then presented an overview of the development program, site design/conservation, land use, transportation, wastewater/water, green design, affordable housing, and fiscal and community benefits. This complex is for over 62 age-restricted residences.
3. There was much discussion following the presentation, including gift of land and $1 million. It was also mentioned that under the current zoning, there could be 88 single family residential homes on the site.
4. The next item on the agenda was Warrant article 20 presented by George Bailey of the Community Preservation Committee. This article adds two members to the CPC from 7 to 9. Sharon currently has five representatives, Conservation Commission, Recreation, Historical Commission, Planning Board and Housing. Five mandated positions. The others are appointed. There is one appointed from the Moderator and one from the Selectmen.
5. There was considerable discussion regarding the addition of two more members to the CPC and how they are appointed.
6. A suggestion was made that a member of the Finance Committee could be appointed to the CPC.
7. The next item that was on the agenda was Article 19, proposed CPC projects.
8. Cory Snow, Treasurer of CPC, reported that only two items have gone through, the cemetery study by a Boy Scout Eagle Scout project, raising $500 himself, and an affirmative vote on Historic Inventory. MBNA has received first reading on 4-1 vote. School Department has three projects, one Open Space, two under Recreation. Unitarian Church, $51,580 request contingent upon completion of fundraising. Purchase covers an elevator. Recreation $43,900. Water Department preservation and redesign of historic Pumping Station #1. Total $1.6 million. Eleven year model for plans.
9. There was discussion held on this issue regarding the financing of these projects. There was also the question of a Master Plan being developed which had not been done.
10. The next CPC meeting will be April 12 to which the Finance Committee will send a representative. A recommendation will be made to Town Meeting after the final committee report is made.
11. Ira Miller reported on a revised Town Meeting schedule which is April 5, the date for signing. April 13 is the new date for recommendations. The recommendation that we have to make is whether you support an override for the town for the budget. We have to print that number in the Warrant in the back of the book. That has been delayed for at least a week. We can’t go to print before we have that number.
12. There was some discussion on the proposed override.
13. The next item on the agenda was discussion of Warrant Articles.
14. ARTICLE 1. Finance Committee Members
15. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Jon Hitter to recommend approval of Article 1.
16. VOTED: 7-0-0.
17. ARTICLE 2. Act Upon Reports
18. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to recommend approval of Article 2.
19. VOTED: 7-0-0.
20. ARTICLE 3. Funds-Sharon Friend School Fund/School Funds
21. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Jon Hitter to recommend approval of Article 3 as written.
22. VOTED: 7-0-0.
23. ARTICLE 4. Personnel By-law. Hold.
24. Waiting to see figures. Should be getting figures next week.
25. ARTICLE 5. Budgets/Compensation of Elected Officers. Hold.
26. ARTICLE 6. Finance Department/Finance Director
27. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Laura Nelson to recommend indefinite postponement of Article 6.
28. There was much discussion held on this motion. There was a suggestion to wait for the report from the State on development of local services and also the audit report.
29. VOTED: 6-1-0. Against: Hitter.
30. ARTICLE 7. Stabilization Fund.
31. There was discussion on this article.
32. A MOTION was made by Laura Nelson and SECONDED by Joel Alpert for indefinite postponement of Article 7.
33. There was continued discussion on the motion.
34. VOTED: 1-6-0. For: Nelson.
35. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ted Philips to make a recommendation at Town Meeting.
36. Joel Alpert suggested that if we get the information from Priorities on April 5, we could make a recommendation.
37. The Motion was withdrawn.
38. ARTICLE 8. Norfolk County Retirement
39. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Laura Nelson to recommend adoption of Article 8.
40. VOTED: 6-0-0. Maria Anderson had to leave the meeting.
41. ARTICLE 9. Annual Audit
42. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Jon Hitter to recommend adoption of Article 9.
43. There was discussion on the motion.
44. VOTED: 6-0-0.
45. ARTICLE 10. Unemployment.
46. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Jon Hitter to recommend adoption of Article 10.
47. VOTED: 6-0-0.
48. ARTICLE 11. Transfer Borrowed Funds
49. There was some discussion on the article.
50. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Jon Hitter to recommend adoption of Article 11.
51. VOTED: 5-1-0. Against: Nelson.
52. ARTICLE 12. Capital Request for the School Department. Hold.
53. There was some discussion on this article which was to be deferred.
54. ARTICLE 13. Department of Public Works
55. There was discussion on this article.
56. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to recommend approval of Article 13 as written.
57. VOTED: 6-0-0.
58. ARTICLE 14. Police Department
59. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend approval of Article 14.
60. VOTED: 6-0-0.
61. ARTICLE 15. Recreation Department
62. There was some discussion on this article.
63. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend approval of Article 15 as written.
64. VOTED: 4-2-0. Against: Alpert, Nelson.
65. ARTICLE 16. Data Processing
66. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend approval of Article 16 as written.
67. VOTED: 5-0-1. Abstain: Nelson.
68. ARTICLE 17. Civil Defense
69. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to recommend approval of Article 17.
70. VOTED: 6-0-0.
71. ARTICLE 18. Fire Department
72. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend approval of Article 18.
73. VOTED: 6-0-0.
74. ARTICLE 19. CPC Projects Funding Recommendations. Hold.
75. ARTICLE 20. CPC Enlargement-Petition Article. Hold.
76. There was much discussion on this article with Laura Nelson going to the CPC meeting on April 12. The Finance Committee was not supportive of expanding the CPC at this time.
77. ARTICLE 21. Naming of Community Center “David I. Clifton, Jr. Sharon Community Center”
78. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend approval of Article 21 as written.
79. Ira Miller stated that the Historical Commission has to recommend. This was voted 3-2. For: He worked a long time. Good gentleman. Against: Buildings shouldn’t be named for public employees or living people. It should be up to Town Meeting.
80. VOTED: 5-1-0. Against: Alpert.
81. ARTICLE 22. Veterans-Exemption. Hold.
82. ARTICLE 23. Closing Offices on Saturday/Legal Holiday
83. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Jon Hitter to recommend adoption of Article 23.
84. VOTED: 6-0-0.
85. ARTICLE 24. Proposed Zoning Change for Package Treatment Plants in Water Protection District. Hold.
86. ARTICLE 25. Community Center Funding. Hold.
87. ARTICLE 26. Sealing Fees – Per Statute Rate Schedule. Hold.
88. ARTICLE 27. Septic System Improvement Loan Program. Hold.
89. ARTICLE 28. Historical Building Demolition By-law (revision). Hold.
90. ARTICLE 29. Revolving Funds. Hold.
91. ARTICLE 30. Authorize Absentee Vote for One Missed Meeting. Hold.
92. Joel Alpert stated that the committee defer Executive Session for salary.
93. The consensus of the committee regarding Brickstone was the need to see the financial report.
94. There was more discussion on the proposed override and its impact on the taxes.
95. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, April 4, at Town Hall.
96. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
97. VOTED: 6-0-0.
98. The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 p.m.