Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – March 3, 2008
Town Hall, Lower Level Hearing Room – 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman,
Josh Kiernan, Ira Miller, Edward Philips, Gregory Sydney (Hamilton)
Absent: Brian Fitzgerald, Jonathan Hitter, Joel Lessard, Laura Nelson
1. The agenda was to review the Selectmen sector budget. Ben Puritz gave an overview. Department heads gave detail.
2. Ben Puritz reported that the budget reflects the utilization override funding approved as a total tax levy limit over three years. The first year $1.7 million was added to the School Department budget. No funds were added to the Selectmen or Finance. He went over what had happened over the past year and what was needed for the coming year’s budget because of full time positions instead of partial year positions, returning positions to original department, to continue service at existing level, and to receive Sharon Hills mitigation money on April 30, 2008, instead of June 30. He also stated that a Stabilization Fund for fire and police should be established, and a Stabilization Fund to be set up for improvements at Memorial Beach then added to Recreation Department budget.
3. There was much discussion held regarding the establishment of new Stabilization Funds and that Sharon Commons will break ground in late spring of this year, but Sharon Hills will take longer.
4. The next item on the agenda was the Council On Aging budget review with Norma Fitzgerald making the presentation.
5. Norma Fitzgerald reported that they are initiating more programs than they have done before, and there is a need for money for a driver.
6. There was some discussion on this budget which was a 5% increase for sustainability.
7. The next item on the agenda was the budget review of the Treasurer/Collector/IT presented by Bill Fowler and Don Hillegasse.
8. Don Hillegasse reported there was a 6% increase in salary for tech support due to increase of hours from 22.5 to 24 hours, and they made some changes from one line item to another.
9. Bill Fowler reported that we have taken some of the cost of the Assessor’s Office and put in IT.
10. There was some discussion regarding this budget and what the IT Department does.
11. The next item on the agenda was the Board of Assessors, with Mark Mazer making the presentation.
12. Mark Mazer reported that they are finishing up data re-inspection. They only need $6,000 or $7,000 instead of $33,000 for ’09. Needed $44,000 for FY’10 project. Because of finishing early and taking out the computer service, they have enough money to fund re-evaluation of FY’10 and won’t need Capital Outlay request.
13. There was much discussion on this budget regarding in-state travel, reduction in legal services, and data re-inspection.
14. The next item on the agenda was the Fire Department budget review presented by Chief Dennis Mann.
15. Chief Mann reported that this year it is a level staffing budget. There was a big increase in training to five hours per month. Increased the mechanic’s hours from two hours to four hours. Big increase in sick leave portion covering injured on duty.
16. There was considerable discussion on this budget regarding the increased training, sick leave, ambulance revenue and central dispatch.
17. There was some discussion regarding the mitigation money originally to be used for equipment and now to be used for manpower.
18. Chief Mann stated that we will need an ambulance replacement and a ladder truck. Also a firefighter if we get a new engine. We have two engines with reserve. Replace one and have one in reserve.
19. The next item on the agenda was the Library budget review presented by Barbra Nadler.
20. Barbra Nadler reported there was some turnover in staff due to retirement and resignation. The elevator needs repair or replacement. Library materials go with state aid and certification. 15% of your bottom line minus benefits = $118,000. The library turns over to the town $15,000 a year in overdue fines.
21. There was some discussion on this budget.
22. The next item on the agenda was the budget review of the DPW presented by Eric Hooper.
23. Eric Hooper reported that the budget shows a 12% increase. We’re taking utilities from the Recreation Department into DPW. The DPW per capita since 1990 has been $125 per person. The DPW budget has grown with population and consumer expectation.
24. There was considerable discussion on this budget regarding the utilities from the Recreation Department, adding back two positions that had been shifted to the Water Department, and the need for an Assistant Town Engineer.
25. Ben Puritz reported that at Priorities meeting the increase on the insurance had been rolled back to 5%.
26. Ira Miller reported that recommendations are due to Selectmen on April 7. More information on our enterprise fund from attorney’s office.
27. Joel Alpert stated that one of the issues I asked Town Clerk regarding her salary was why it didn’t have to go into just one budget. Consider and raise next week. When you review Board of Health budget how much we would need to ask for if we determine our need is above our allocation based on revenue estimates. We don’t want to go for override amount based on our sector since we hadn’t had any increased funding. This was presented as a regulatory requirement to fund additional hours.
28. The next meeting will be on March 10.
29. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
30. VOTED: 8-0-0.
31. The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 p.m.