Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – March 24, 2008

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

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

                               Charles Goodman, Jonathan Hitter, Josh Kiernan, Joel Lessard, Ira

                               Miller, Edward Philips (late), Gregory Sydney (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Laura Nelson

1. The first item on the agenda was a report from the Community Preservation Committee, Corey Snow, Chair.

2. Corey Snow reported that the Community Preservation Committee will not be recommending any projects, only requesting administrative funds.  Doing inventory of projects that have been done.  Expenditures occurred in administrative side.  They are developing a plan and have a consultant helping them.  There are fixed expenses going forward, and there is debt.  Funds already committed going forward.  In FY’09 they expect the match to be reduced 55%.  When real estate transactions go down, the amount of CPA funds go down.  More communities have joined in the CPA program.  Revenue down, demand going up.

3. There was considerable discussion regarding the debt service, the Glenview affordable house, and Horizons for Youth.

4. The next item on the agenda was a review of the School budget with Acting Superintendent, Dr. Barbara Dunham and Sam Liao, Chair, School Committee.

5. There was some discussion with Dr. Dunham regarding a source of operating funds for the Police and Fire Department personnel instead of using mitigation funds.

6. There was some discussion held that the School Department would favor funding a School Resource Officer if the Police can not, with School Committee approval.

7. There was considerable discussion regarding the School Department budget, salaries of personnel, Special Education costs, Circuit Breaker, unemployment budget of $80,000, and where there could be ways to help the Town, with approval of the whole School Committee.

8. The next item on the agenda was Capital Outlay, Paul Linehan, Chair.

9. Paul Linehan gave an overview of the Capital Outlay Committee.  Last year Capital voted to reduce their budget to 6.5%.  They met that target.  Continuing pay-down plan.  Making direct payment and no 15 or 20 year borrowings.

10. Paul Linehan went on to discuss each of the Capital Outlay articles, 14-22, that are in the Warrant.  DPW:  Streets and Sidewalks including Mann’s Pond Dam.  DPW:  Vehicles and Equipment.  School Department.  Feasibility Study for Middle School.  Fire, Police, Civil Defense, Library, and Recreation.

11. Paul Linehan discussed the Fire Department’s need for a pumper, $550,000.  The Capital Outlay Committee voted to reallocate from budgets and augment through provisions from Wilber and Middle School HVAC projects that are nearing end but not at complete end.  Wilber has $108,000 remaining funds.  Some other funds from East, Middle and High School.

12. Gordon Gladstone stated that East School cannot be touched and Wilber and Middle School are complete.

13. Ira Miller stated $430,000 was found from reallocated funds, plus $130,000 of direct purchase cost.

14. There was discussion on the Capital Outlay articles in depth as to what each included and the costs.  Other Capital Outlay requests were discussed including Fire Department Equipment Grant and Conservation Commission acquisition of the Piona property.

15. Brian Fitzgerald left the meeting at 9:05 p.m.

16. There was much discussion on when to reallocate money that isn’t being used or needed on a project.  Some of the money may not be available until the Fall Town Meeting.

17. There was discussion on Civil Defense and Horizons for Youth requests for money and if the need is for structural repairs.

18. The next item was an update on the numbers from the Finance Department on sustainability.

19. Bill Fowler spoke regarding an expanded version of sustainability with a variation on Priorities for ’09, $44.5 million increase.  2.5%, $685,000 new growth for ’09.  In land value alone Commons, $297,473.  Avalon Bay, $93,077.  They are starting to sign leases.  Wilber, $46,700 is taxed as of now.  That is all new money.  That number rolls into base as they do improvements.  It is now taxable.  Brickstone, hired assessor.  Understated, $55,621.  Mr. Fowler continued to list revenue changes through FY’13 on Brickstone, Commons, Wilber, Avalon Bay and cell towers.

20. There was much discussion regarding sustainability when there is no more mitigation funds or permit fees.

21. There was some discussion regarding Revolving Funds and salaries, unemployment costs, and merit pay program for department heads, and parity.

22. The next meeting will be on Thursday, March 27.

23. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

24. VOTED:  10-0-0.

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