Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – April 24, 2008

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

Members Present:  Joel Alpert, Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman, Jonathan Hitter,

                               Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Edward Philips (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Maria Anderson, Brian Fitzgerald, Josh Kiernan, Laura Nelson,

                               Gregory Sydney

1. The first item on the agenda was to review Warrant articles that didn’t have a definitive vote.

2. ARTICLE 12.  Allow Selectmen to reallocate funds of and to take action as it relates to the Sharon Friends School Fund.

3. Ira Miller stated this article was one which wanted to dissolve the Friends for the Sharon Schools.  A fund that had $1,860, current balance, $11,500.  Movement to reallocate so it could be handled instead of having a separate fund.  However, there is some legal issue.  Maybe legal fees involved with dissolving it due to the amount of interest to amount deposited.  Leave it the way it is, take recommendation at Town Meeting, or another action, indefinite postponement.

4. Gordon Gladstone stated it is my understanding this is not going forward.  The balance is $23,000-$24,000, not $11,500.  Provision in the original documents distributing interest but not principal.  Selectmen said not a priority.  They would just by-pass and seek it next time.

5. Ira Miller stated it may be costly to take through probate.  Unclear whether there was going to be any action.  Leaning for indefinite postponement.

6. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend indefinite postponement of Article 12.

7. VOTED:  7-0-0.

8. ARTICLE 20.  Civil Defense.

9. Ira Miller stated this was for the $10,000 Capital Outlay expense for some building renovation on the building.  Last vote was 3-3-1.

10. Ted Philips stated the Motion recommended to approve, failed.

11. Jon Hitter stated it was 4-1-0 in favor for renovation from Capital Outlay.

12. Ira Miller stated our position seems to be we want to see a more fleshed out plan.  Don’t know if it is up to him to have a plan.  It is DPW building.  We mentioned it would be a good thing to have.  We said we want to see something before we would recommend it.

13. There was some further discussion on this article.

14. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Joel Lessard to recommend indefinite postponement on Article 20.

15. Gordon Gladstone stated that we should ask Mike Polimer to come back in September with a more definitive plan of what to do.  There would be sentiment towards approving if information more definitive.  For the whole building, for the room, for renovation.  We should communicate that to Mike Polimer.

16. VOTED:  5-1-1.  For:  Alpert, Gladstone, Hitter, Lessard, Miller.  Against:  Philips.  Abstain:  Goodman.

17. ARTICLE 27.  Non-criminal Violation – Penalties for Feeding Water Fowl.

18. Ira Miller explained that this article would put the regulations in place as well as the amount of the fines.  What this article does is allow non-criminal violation to occur.  Save expense of taking someone to court and of how the enforcement takes place.  They can enforce and it is a criminal procedure now.

19. There was some discussion on this article and the contention of some committee members was that they don’t have enough information to make a decision on this article.

20. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend indefinite postponement of Article 27.

21. VOTED:  2-4-1.  For:  Gladstone, Philips.  Against:  Goodman, Hitter, Lessard, Miller.  Abstain:  Alpert.

22. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Joel Lessard to recommend Article 27.

23. VOTED:  3-4-0.  For:  Hitter, Lessard, Miller.  Against:  Alpert, Gladstone, Goodman, Philips.

24. COMMITTEE REPORTS.

25. Jon Hitter reported on Capital Outlay.  There were changes to the capital articles.  When capital finished business three or four weeks ago, voted to allocate funds from the Community Center towards the pumper.  Not available until Fall Town Meeting.  Pumper off the table, $550,000, via pay down or cash.  What was done, there was $330,000 Middle School surplus and Wilber School for borrowings for Mann’s Pond and Cedar Swamp.  Mann’s Pond via reallocation from Middle School or Wilber surplus, $330,000.  $210,000 zero out.  $100,000 Cedar Swamp brings down to $55,000.  Request sheet, Horizons for Youth which is not being moved forward, no vehicle to enable borrowing.  Capital spread sheet $360,000 cash for direct buy items.  Use that money, pay cash and not borrow remainder of Cedar Swamp, $50,000.  Library, $35,000.  School technology, $225,000.  School vans, $55,000.  School mulch for $20,000.  School seats, $12,000.  We had to reallocate the surplus funds and reallocate cash position.  The direct buys is saving the town $220,000 in interest over the life of the loans.

26. There was much discussion regarding Capital Outlay, whether to spend or save for borrowings, setting a limit on borrowings, the tax increase and the tax levy.

27. There was some discussion regarding the evaluation and assessment of property from information from Priorities on increased growth and taxes.

28. Joel Alpert reported that Priorities went over the appraisal services.  Hired Joel Tran to do appraisal.  Done for Brickstone, close on the money.  Other appraisal high by $73,000.  Error in land component.  Size error in square feet.  Assumed 168 units.  Vacant land.  This was to make a provision for revenue for next year.  Lower by $73,000 because of square feet.

29. CHARTER COMMISSION DISCUSSION.

30. Ira Miller opened the floor for comments on the Charter Commission which would be a ballot question.

31. Joel Alpert asked does the town want to study alternatives?  It is always good to evaluate what your positions are.  Go through process.  Most would say no, but could it be run better?  The town would be wise to have a committee look at all the alternatives.  It isn’t a foregone conclusion we would go away from Town Meeting with three selectmen.  I would like to see this process evolve.  When you have a Charter, you don’t need to go to state to widen road.  Lot of things we voted we have authority to ask our representative to ask the Legislature to do something.  Generally it happens.  If we get away from that, debate things.  If this Charter Commission does that, it would be good for the town.

32. Ted Philips commented that my father is running.  I think there is always room for improvement.  If we can’t make it better, an 18-month study period to come up with recommendations.  May say doing right and no changes.  No harm in looking.

33. Gordon Gladstone stated Town Meeting was the last place in government to have potential influence.  Here you can have a voice and influence what goes on.  We, as taxpayers, have to validate.  If people want to evaluate our form of town government, they didn’t have to have Charter Commission which is to change the form of town meeting.

34. Ted Philips stated 23 people on ballot.  Nine to be selected.

35. Gordon Gladstone reported that candidate’s night was on the 29^th.  Each of the candidates gets one minute to speak and maybe some follow up questions by the Moderator of the League of Women Voters.

36. Ted Philips stated you could support the Charter Commission.  There may be candidates to change things.  Some running to keep things the way they are.

37. Joel Alpert reported on the MMPA, Massachusetts Municipal Personnel Association, 2007.  This is something the town should be using.  Salary survey of all over the state.  Data from FY’07.

38. There was discussion on this report.

39. The next meeting will be Monday, April 28, at the High School Library for the Open Warrant meeting.

40. Monday, May 5, is the Town Meeting.

41. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

42. VOTED:  7-0-0.

43. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.