Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – March 10, 2008

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

Members Present:  Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Brian Fitzgerald, Gordon Gladstone,

                               Charles Goodman, Josh Kiernan, Joel Lessard, Edward Philips,

                               Gregory Sydney (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Jonathan Hitter, Ira Miller, Laura Nelson

1. Joel Alpert announced that Ira Miller has the flu and will not be able to attend and Laura Nelson cannot attend due to her surgery. 

2. The first item on the agenda was to continue with the Selectmen’s budget from last week.

3. Ben Puritz reported that the Sharon Advocate had an article from April 13 how the mitigation funding was to be used.  In an early point in the deliberations it was being used for major equipment.  Then it was changed to personnel.  The override would add $1.7 million to the School Department, $322,863 to the Selectmen in ’09.  $650,325 over a two year period would be provided to the town to increase public safety.  This would be four firefighters and two police officers.

4. There was considerable discussion regarding the mitigation funds, what it was for, and when the payments would be made, including the $322,863 override.

5. Ben Puritz reported that the Sharon Commons is developing in advance of Sharon Hills.  Environmental permitting process.  State has agreed to single impact report.  Commons ground breaking will be in April.  Begin construction by June and early summer.  Build out larger buildings.  Building permits will be payable to the town.  $445,000 is anticipatory.  The fees are one time.  The car dealership has a value of $25 million and $30 million.  That generates $440,000.  Adds to the taxable base to the town.  Talking about $6 million a year in additional revenue at build out.  Apply to tax rate $400 million what any value at $15 a thousand.  We will take those premises and run value scenarios in timing of revenues.

6. There was much discussion regarding the total amount of the budget in dollars and percentage in a maintenance of service budget.

7. The next item on the agenda was the DPW, Eric Hooper, Superintendent.

8. Eric Hooper continued with the DPW budget and that they now have the responsibility of the Community Center.

9. There was discussion held regarding the Wilber lease and that it cannot be counted on for the ’09 budget.

10. There was much discussion on the allocation of salaries in the DPW.

11. Discussion was held on the revenue from the Railroad Parking which was $135,000.  One-third of the revenue was salaries plus fringe for ’09.  The Snow & Ice is over what was budgeted for ’08.  Cost of salt has gone up as well as for gasoline and diesel.

12. There was further discussion on street repaving, street sweeping, and health insurance status for employees.  Most have gone over to the new plan, but ASME has not.

13. Eric Hooper reported that the supplies increase is for Horizons for Youth.  There is going to be more costs associated with supplies than what was in the Recreation Department budget because of Horizons for Youth.  Also building maintenance is not separated by Horizons for Youth, Community Center, and DPW.

14. There was some discussion regarding Horizons for Youth and the DPW budget.

15. The next item on the agenda was the Water Department budget.

16. Eric Hooper stated that this budget was different in that the operating expenses were included as a capital expense.  The salaries and wages have gone down because two salaries went to the operating side.  There is very little change from the ’08 budget.  Significantly larger on what was spent in ’07.  It is a 3% plus those who have a step available, a 2% step.  We are required to have a person on call.  The large change is the systems improvement side.  We’re proposing to do some significant water main work next year and continue with water meter work.  Improvement went from $200,000 to $800,000.  Being handled by Water Department personnel under systems improvement line.  Set aside $250,000 to replace water main or new meters.  If we contract, it will be done in a year.

17. There was considerable discussion regarding the Water Department, personnel, capital improvement including new radio meters, and water main replacement.

18. Discussion continued on line items and explanations of what each item was.

19. NEW BUSINESS

20. Brian Fitzgerald made a suggestion to split into sub-groups and look at each budget.

21. The next meeting will be March 17.

22. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

23. VOTED:  9-0-0.

24. The meeting was adjourned at 11 p.m.