Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – February 4, 2008

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

Members Present:  Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman

                               (late), Jonathan Hitter, Josh Kiernan, Joel Lessard (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Brian Fitzgerald, Ira Miller, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips, Gregory

                               Sydney

1. The first item on the agenda was the Board of Health budget review.  Making the presentation was Anne Bingham, Chair, and Sheila Miller, Public Health Nurse.

2. The Board of Health was requesting $162,738 plus 10% budget, stating that many things end up in their budget such as the dumpster.  They were also requesting an additional five hours a week for the Public Health Nurse to bring to 35 hours.  Her duties have increased substantially especially since September 11.  Emergency preparedness is now part of health departments that receive Federal monies for this planning.  Sheila Miller does this for the entire town as well as the Health Department.  She also fills in for the Sanitarian, inspects camps, and does tobacco control.  This is in addition to her regular duties.

3. There was considerable discussion regarding this budget, the items that are state mandated, and that the state should provide the resources.

4. A suggestion was made that the issue of extra hours should go to the Priorities Committee, and they should provide the hours and not come out of the Health Department budget.

5. Joel Alpert requested a summary of the hours that the nurse does in the planning part of the job which the Board of Health will provide.

6. There was discussion regarding Revolving Funds with a view to incorporating into the operating budget and eliminating the revolving funds.

7. The next item on the agenda was the Planning Board budget review with Arnold Cohen making the presentation.  This budget has been level funded for the last three years.

8. There was discussion on this budget regarding salary and advertising.  There was extra work for changes in zoning by-laws.  A suggestion was made that some line items could be reduced and added to other line items that needed more money.

9. OTHER BUSINESS

10. Chuck Goodman reported on the Enterprise Fund for the Water Department which was recommended by a financial review requested by the Selectmen.  Since Attorney Gelerman was not available, more information will be reported on at a future time.  The community would keep all excess of funds.  Could be used for rate reduction.  Town Meeting should approve as a separate article.  On-line Enterprise Manual at www.mass.gov.dls, Enterprise Manual.  Most towns have enterprise funds.  Mass. General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 53.5 provides for enterprise funds.  There is no discussion in the Priorities meeting about revenue or expense of the Water Department.  If they had an enterprise fund, there would be a separate set of accounting reports by outside auditors, separate operation, not special revenue funds.  State receives a Schedule A.

11. There was some discussion on this report regarding shifting personnel between the Water Department and the DPW with no answer at this time.

12. Regarding minutes of January 28 meeting.  Two corrections: (1) #31 to end sentence at “overtime”and #5, remove “purchase” and replace with “capital request”.

13. The next meeting will be on February 11.

14. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

15. VOTED:  7-0-0.

16. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.