Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – March 17, 2008

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

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

                               Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Edward Philips (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Brian Fitzgerald, Jonathan Hitter, Laura Nelson, Gregory Sydney

1. The first item on the agenda was the review of Southeastern Regional Vocational School District.  Business Manager Patrick Mahar gave the presentation.

2. Patrick Mahar reported there was not much change to Southeastern Regional budget this year.  There was an increase due to the minimum contribution going up and an increase in enrollment.

3. There was some discussion on Sharon’s share of the cost and the higher cost per student than other communities.

4. The next item on the agenda was the Conservation Commission Report on the Cedar Swamp Study that was funded by the Reserve Fund Transfer.

5. Dr. Aimlee Laderman and Peter Fletcher, Soil Scientist, reported on the study of the value of Atlantic White Cedar for fresh water to use and drink and vital for the lake.  The work completed:  soil survey; 166 data points; hydrogenation; soils, vegetation, dead cedars, delineated the soils and boundaries of the Swamp.  Organic matter 1 ½ ft. to more than 12 ft. in depth.  Protecting the water for thousands of years.  Assessment of vegetative analysis.  Ditch was dug for subdivision.  It was engineered incorrectly.

6. There was discussion held regarding Cedar Swamp and what is to be done to restore the swamp.  The people doing the study had some suggestions for the next phase including lists of potential funding so the town wouldn’t have to pay for all of it.  They would like to start in the spring and get an engineering design phase for taking care of the ditch.

7. Greg Meister stated that to get to the next phase and how to solve it, we need a surveyor, hydrologist, and engineer.  Opportunities for money from them.  To keep Aimlee and Peter another $25,000 should do it.

8. Aimlee Laderman stated that the money would be used for the design phase engineer.  Hydrologist to measure how much water, where to put more or less.  We have a source for seedlings, clear invasives, and put seedlings in.  Takes labor for planting.

9. The next item on the agenda was Chief Joseph Bernstein to review the Police Department budget.

10. There was an article in the Advocate indicating that police support highest salary in state.  This article was inaccurate.

11. There was some discussion held on this article.

12. Chief Bernstein stated that it was a status quo budget.  Adding two additional officers based on the mitigation money.  It takes at least a year to go to the Academy and on the street.  If we are not up and running now, we will not be able to do it.  By the holiday season next year Sharon Commons wants to have some stores open.  According to the State Staffing Guidelines we should have 36 officers.  We have 27.

13. There was considerable discussion on the police budget including crossing guards, need for extra officers, health insurance, and impact of Sharon Commons.

14. There were continued discussions on the Selectmen’s sector budgets including In-State Travel, Accountant, Treasurer, Law, with additional discussion regarding billings to Town Counsel, Elections & Registration with question of including some salary in Town Clerk’s budget; only 3 of 44 Town Clerks divide; Animal Control Officer, Civil Defense regarding electricity.

15. There was much discussion regarding the Recreation budget, including looking for new Recreation Director, rental income, revolving funds, sports programs, building maintenance by the DPW, and water testing.

16. There was some discussion regarding Street Lighting and Interest.

17. There was much discussion on the Insurance budget, how many are in the higher co-pay, suggestion to raise co-pays, and new hires will be at 70/30/10 rate.

18. Ben Puritz stated they are projecting a 5% increase in the rate for insurance.

19. There was discussion on Horizons for Youth regarding rentals, insurance, and capital requests.

20. A suggestion was made to discuss the mitigation fund on Thursday at the meeting at the Community Center regarding the police personnel being in the budget and spending the mitigation fund another way.  The Finance Committee wanted to see the schedule for nine years of revenue.

21. There was considerable discussion on where money would come from to provide for public safety personnel.

22. Joel Alpert stated that four people on the committee said not to use mitigation fund for non-recurring expenses.

23. The next meeting will be Thursday, March 20, at the Community Center and the next meeting after that will be Monday, March 24.

24. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

25. VOTED:  8-0-0.

26. The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 p.m.