Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – August 11, 2008
Town Hall, Lower Level Hearing Room – 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Maria Anderson, Donald Gilligan, Gordon Gladstone, Charles
Goodman, Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips
(Hamilton)
Absent: Brian Fitzgerald, Jonathan Hitter, Josh Kiernan
1. The first item on the agenda was a liaison report from Joel Lessard on the Board of Selectmen’s meeting.
2. Joel Lessard reported that the Warrant was not closed. That Eli Hauser reported on the 43B for P.O. Square. Find out potential of P.O. Square. What it could support, parking, traffic. Water implication. How much business could it support? What does the town want for business? Updating where they were. Sharon was the only town that applied for 43B for town center. Their goal to maximize revenue, minimize traffic and water. The Simpson project was 160 affordable, now out of the picture. Commons, 117 proposed would be affordable. Increase amount, add 8 to 10 units. 116 short after those added. They are working with a group, Wright Pierce Waste Water Management Consultants.
3. Ira Miller announced that the Economic Development Committee is meeting at the end of August.
4. The next item on the agenda was the Energy Advisory Committee with Silas Fyler, George Aronson, and Lynn Wolbarst.
5. Silas Fyler stated that they are analyzing town buildings as well as doing audits on buildings. The Selectmen voted to reduce energy by 10% as part of the Energy Star Challenge. The vote was non-binding. Another was a Solar Challenge to help the school system upgrade the Middle School to make more energy efficient.
6. There was much discussion on the energy audit of the town buildings. N Star and Bay State Gas will submit reports when they are completed. The committee suggested having a building manager over all town buildings.
7. Ira Miller announced Energy and Water Fair for residents’ homes, Sunday, September 21, 1-5 p.m. at Sharon High School. Expecting 500-600 people. Solar Energy Challenge. Clean Energy Program. 150 people to donate $100 to New England Wind Fund. Sharon MTC gives $100 and $100 to Sharon Energy. It is on the town website.
8. The next item on the agenda was Mike Bossin with an update on the Horizons for Youth Committee.
9. Mike Bossin reported that revenue was approximately $28,000. Starting contracts for next year. Also updated on repairs and expenses for the facility.
10. There was considerable discussion regarding what had been done, the costs involved, and the prospective uses of the facility. An article for Horizons for Youth for $100,000 to stabilize the buildings will be in the Warrant for the second phase that was left off from the last Warrant.
11. OTHER BUSINESS
12. Don Gilligan stated that a study was done a year ago regarding a consolidated town and school maintenance department.
13. Ira Miller stated that a meeting will be scheduled in two weeks to review some of the Warrant articles. The Brickstone public meeting was scheduled for September 4, the Thursday following Labor Day. Have heard no change, nor confirmation. Would need more information before that meeting.
14. Laura Nelson reported on the Avalon Bay funds. There were three mitigation strategies. $310,000 originally directed purpose for sidewalks at town meeting. $400,000 mitigation funds toward that signal at Edgehill in the General Fund. $400,000 for water line. 50% occupancy. By September, 100%.
15. A MOTION was made by Laura Nelson and SECONDED by Chuck Goodman to approve the minutes of July 28, 2008.
16. VOTED: 5-0-3. For: Anderson, Goodman, Lessard, Miller, Nelson. Abstain: Gilligan, Gladstone, Philips.
17. The next meeting will be August 25, 2008.
18. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
19. VOTED: 8-0-0.
20. The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.