Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – April 30, 2007

Sharon High School Library – 8:00 P.M.

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

                               Lessard, Ira Miller, Edward Philips, Gloria Rose (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Maria Anderson, Laura Nelson, Gregory Sydney

1. The agenda was the Open Warrant Meeting which was to review the Warrant articles for next week’s Town Meeting.

2. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend approval of the $2.9 million override, $1.7 increase in FY ’08, $325,000 increase in FY ’09, $875,000 increase in FY ’10, increasing total levy capacity $2.9 million.

3. There was considerable discussion on the motion including some opinions for a one year override.

4. VOTED:  2-6-0.  For:  Hitter, Philips.  Against:  Alpert, Fitzgerald, Goodman, Lessard, Miller, Rose.

5. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Brian Fitzgerald to recommend that the town vote against the override of $2.9 million.  The motion was withdrawn.

6. The next item on the agenda was the Community Preservation Committee.  George Bailey, Chair; Corey Snow, Treasurer were here to make the presentation regarding the projects under Article 13.

7. There was much discussion on each of these projects and the votes of the Community Preservation Committee on each.

8. ARTICLE 13. Drake Cemetery, $500.

9. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Joel Lessard for indefinite postponement of Drake Cemetery, $500.

10. VOTED:  4-3-1.  For:  Hitter, Lessard, Philips, Rose.  Against:  Alpert, Goodman, Miller.  Abstain:  Fitzgerald.

11. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Gloria Rose to recommend approval of $25,000 to the Historical Commission Inventory project.

12. VOTED:  8-0-0.

13. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ted Philips for indefinite postponement of Glendale Village, $750,000.

14. VOTED:  6-2-0.  For:  Alpert, Fitzgerald, Hitter, Lessard, Philips, Rose.  Against:  Goodman, Miller.

15. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ted Philips for indefinite postponement of a defibrillator for Recreation Department, $2,400.

16. VOTED:  7-1-0.  For:  Alpert, Fitzgerald, Hitter, Lessard, Miller, Philips, Rose.  Against:  Goodman.

17. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ted Philips for indefinite postponement of Heights Playground, $40,000.

18. VOTED:  6-1-1.  For:  Alpert, Goodman, Hitter, Miller, Philips, Rose.  Against:  Lessard.  Abstain:  Fitzgerald.

19. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ted Philips for indefinite postponement of a Unitarian Church elevator, $51,580.

20. VOTED:  5-2-1.  For:  Alpert, Goodman, Hitter, Philips, Rose.  Against:  Lessard, Miller.  Abstain:  Fitzgerald.

21. There was some discussion on the need for a plan on how to use Community Preservation Act funds.

22. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Gloria Rose for indefinite postponement of water pumping station, $100,000.

23. VOTED:  8-0-0.

24. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Gloria Rose to recommend approval of $30,000 for administrative expenses.

25. VOTED:  8-0-0.

26. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Gloria Rose to recommend approval to transfer allocation of unencumbered reserves of $57,000 for FY’07.

27. VOTED:  8-0-0.

28. The meeting continued with the other Warrant articles.

29. ARTICLE 1.  Personnel By-law.

30. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend Article 1 as written.

31. The Personnel Board voted 3-2.

32. There was discussion held on the motion.

33. VOTED:  6-1-1.  For:  Goodman, Hitter, Lessard, Miller, Philips, Rose.  Against:  Alpert.  Abstain.  Fitzgerald.

34. ARTICLE. 2.  Budget/Compensation of Elected Officers.

35. A MOTION was made by Brian Fitzgerald and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to recommend approval of the FY’08 budget without the override.

36. There was some discussion on the motion.

37. VOTED:  6-2-0.  For:  Alpert, Fitzgerald, Goodman, Lessard, Miller, Rose.  Against:  Hitter, Philips.

38. ARTICLE 3.  Finance Department/Finance Director.  Voted, 6-1-0 for indefinite postponement, on 3-28-07.

39. ARTICLE 4.  Zoning By-law Posting Requirements.  Voted, 6-0-0 on 4-9-07.

40. ARTICLE 5.  Town Meeting Debate Process.  Voted, 6-0-0 on 4-9-07.

41. ARTICLE 6.  School Department.  Voted, 6-0-0 on 4-9-07.

42. ARTICLE 7.  Department of Public Works.  Voted, 6-0-0 on 3-28-07.

43. ARTICLE 8.  Police Department.  Voted, 6-0-0 on 3-28-07.

44. ARTICLE 9.  Recreation Department.  Voted, 4-2-0 on 3-28-07.

45. ARTICLE 10.  Data Processing.  Voted, 5-0-1 on 3-28-07.

46. ARTICLE 11.  Civil Defense.  Voted, 6-0-0 on 3-28-07.

47. ARTICLE 12.  Fire Department.  Voted 6-0-0 on 3-28-07.

48. ARTICLE 13.  CPC Projects Funding Recommendations.  Drake Cemetery:  Indefinite Postponement, Voted 4-3-1 on 4-30-07.  Historical Commission Historic Plan & Inventory:  Voted 8-0-0 on 4-30-07.  MBNA (Glendale Village Land):  Indefinite Postponement, Voted 6-2-0 on 4-30-07.  Defibrillator:  Indefinite Postponement, Voted 7-1-0 on 4-30-07.  Heights Playground:  Indefinite Postponement, Voted 6-1-1 on 4-30-07.  Unitarian Church Elevator:  Indefinite Postponement, Voted 5-2-1 on 4-30-07.  Water Pumping Station:  Indefinite Postponement, Voted 8-0-0 on 4-30-07.  Administrative Expenses:  Voted 8-0-0 on 4-30-07.  Allocation of Unencumbered Reserves:  Voted 8-0-0 on 4-30-07.

49. ARTICLE 14.  Finance Committee Members.  Voted, 7-0-0 on 3-28-07.

50. ARTICLE 15.  Act Upon Reports.  Voted, 7-0-0 on 3-28-07.

51. ARTICLE 16.  Funds – Sharon Friend School Fund/School Funds.  Voted, 7-0-0 on 3-28-07.

52. ARTICLE 17.  Stabilization Fund.  Voted Indefinite Postponement, 6-0-0 on 4-13-07.

53. ARTICLE 18.  Norfolk County Retirement.  Voted, 6-0-0 on 3-28-07.

54. ARTICLE 19.  Annual Audit.  Voted, 6-0-0 on 3-28-07.

55. ARTICLE 20.  Unemployment.  Voted 6-0-0 on 3-28-07.

56. ARTICLE 21.  Transfer Borrowed Funds.  Voted, 5-1-0 on 3-28-07.

57. ARTICLE 22.  Community Preservation Committee Enlargement.

58. There was considerable discussion regarding Article 22 with a proposal for a new motion by the Finance Committee.

59. A MOTION was made by Joel Lessard and SECONDED by Brian Fitzgerald to propose a new motion for Article 22 that two new appointees would be appointed by the Moderator and another by the Finance Committee.  One by Selectmen, One by Finance Committee and two by the Moderator.

60. VOTED:  8-0-0.

61. ARTICLE 23.  Naming of Community Center. 

62. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Joel Lessard to reconsider our recommendation for Article 23.

63. VOTED:  6-2-0.  For:  Alpert, Fitzgerald, Hitter, Lessard, Miller, Rose.  Against:  Goodman, Philips.

64. There was more discussion on Article 23 regarding the Historical Commission’s position.

65. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Joel Lessard to recommend indefinite postponement of Article 23.

66. VOTED:  6-2-0.  For:  Alpert, Fitzgerald, Hitter, Lessard, Miller, Rose.  Against:  Goodman, Philips.

67. ARTICLE 24.  Veterans’ Exemption.  Voted, 6-0-0 on 4-9-07.

68. ARTICLE 25.  Closing Offices on Saturday/Legal Holiday.  Voted, 6-0-0 on 3-28-07.

69. ARTICLE 26.  Community Center Funding – Standing Building Committee.

70. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Jon Hitter to recommend indefinite postponement of Article 26.

71. VOTED:  8-0-0.

72. ARTICLE 27.  Sealing Fees.  Voted, 6-0-0 on 4-13-07.

73. ARTICLE 28.  Septic System Improvement Loan Program.  Voted, 6-0-0 on 4-13-07.

74. ARTICLE 29.  Historical Building Demolition By-law (revision).

75. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend Article 29 as written.

76. VOTED:  7-0-1.  For:  Alpert, Fitzgerald, Hitter, Lessard, Miller, Philips, Rose.  Abstain:  Goodman.

77. ARTICLE 30.  Revolving Funds.

78. There was some discussion on Article 30.

79. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend Article 30 as written.

80. VOTED:  4-0-4.  For:  Goodman, Hitter, Miller, Philips.  Abstain:  Alpert, Fitzgerald, Lessard, Rose.

81. ARTICLE 31.  Authorize Absentee Vote for One Missed Meeting.  Voted, 6-0-0.

82. The next item on the agenda was the Special Town Meeting.  Rezoning of Brickstone.

83. There was considerable discussion held on the Brickstone rezoning.

84. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Jon Hitter to recommend approval to rezone.

85. There was some discussion on the motion.

86. VOTED:  7-0-1.  For:  Alpert, Fitzgerald, Hitter, Lessard, Miller, Philips, Rose.  Abstain:  Goodman.

87. Ira Miller announced that tomorrow evening is the pre-Town Meeting after Selectmen’s meeting, 8 p.m.  The Annual Town Meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the high school one week from tonight and the town election is in two weeks.

88. The next meeting will be May 4.

89. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

90. VOTED:  8-0-0.

91. The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 p.m.