Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – April 23, 2007

Town Hall, Lower Level Hearing Room – 7:30 p.m.

Members Present:  Joel Alpert, Charles Goodman, Jonathan Hitter, Joel Lessard, Ira

                               Miller, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips, Gloria Rose, Gregory Sydney

                               (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Maria Anderson, Brian Fitzgerald

1. Ira Miller returned to Chair the meeting.  He thanked Joel Alpert for subbing and filling in running some meetings along with Maria Anderson getting the Warrant out.  He thanked Roni Thaler for her work helping get the Warrant out and getting it out in one week, saving money by re-bidding a new printer, and giving more time.

2. The agenda was to hear Gordon Gladstone for the Standing Building Committee, Conservation Preservation Committee, Brickstone and discuss any other Warrant articles that need attention.

3. Gordon Gladstone reported on the Community Center regarding Article 26, Wilber School and Middle School HVAC renovation.

4. There was some discussion on this report.

5. The next item on the agenda was Conservation Preservation Committee articles.  Corey Snow, Treasurer, reported on where the committee stood on recommendations.

6. There was much discussion regarding the recommendations and especially about the Housing Trust.

7. Robert Young explained some of the requests, especially those involving the Historic District.

8. There was considerable discussion on these requests.

9. The next item on the agenda was the Historical Commission.

10. Robert Young made the presentation on Article 29 and explained that the language was to correct error in By-law for the necessity to obtain permit to demolish building.  If no permit is obtained, no building permit issued for two years, with a $300 a day violation until building was put back in condition or replaced.

11. There was discussion held regarding this article.

12. Robert Young reported on the Community Center naming.  At the Annual Meeting of 2004 enacted By-law for the purpose of preserving the history of the town.  The Historical Commission was the committee to recognize persons or events significant to local history.  Requests were to be submitted to the Historical Commission for review and recommendation.  The Historical Commission took a vote to allow going to Town Meeting.  We wanted Town Meeting to discuss why we were opposed to Community Center being named for Dave Clifton.  The Historical Commission determined it is not proper to name a building for an employee of town who is paid by taxpayers.  We think it would be bad public policy to name for Dave Clifton.  There was a suggestion to name a room for Dave Clifton.

13. There was some discussion on this report.

14. The next item on the agenda was the Brickstone Developers.

15. Joel Alpert stated that at the last meeting Chuck Goodman asked for a year by year analysis of income and outflow.  The Memorandum of Understanding was still not finalized.

16. John Kusmiersky presented this report.  The assessment method had been discussed with the Assessor.  He also reported that instead of the town receiving funds to pay for fire vehicle, there were requests from various groups for the need for funds to them as follows:  $200,000 to Economic Development.  $100,000 to Conservation Commission.  $100,000 to COA.  $100,000 TO Schools.  $100,000 to water mitigation.  There is $2.885 million.  Each of those groups advanced theory why they need it.

17. There was much discussion with the developers including the building of 80-90 single family homes on this site, with no land to the town, if the rezoning didn’t pass.

18. Ira Miller announced that there will be another all board meeting on Wednesday to answer questions and a Planning Board hearing on May 2 on Brickstone.

19. The next agenda item was to discuss and deliberate Warrant articles.

20. There was continued discussion regarding Brickstone project, including use of funds requested by groups and how this would impact on the override.

21. After considerable discussion, the Finance Committee will vote on Brickstone at the next meeting.

22. The next item was the override.  Ira Miller stated that only $1.7 million was for ’08 budget.  If override ballot question is favorable, the town could raise up to that additional $2.9 million.

23. There was some discussion held.

24. Don Gilligan, School Committee Chair, reported that they were giving longer term view of budget situation and to be able to maintain services until FY’11 when tax revenues from Sharon Commons and Brickstone, if approved, are available.

25. There was much discussion regarding the override, cost of Special Education, and what areas of the school programs would need to be cut if no override.  There was discussion on the decrease in state aid and increase in cost of utilities, busing, and salaries.

26. The Finance Committee will vote on the override next week.

27. Ira Miller announced that next Monday night is Open Warrant Meeting at 8 p.m. at the High School Library.  We will meet at 7:30 p.m. to take care of other business.

28. The next meeting will be on April 30.

29. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

30. VOTED:  9-0-0.

31. The meeting adjourned at 11:15 p.m.