Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – April 28, 2008
Sharon High School Library – 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Brian Fitzgerald, Gordon Gladstone, Jonathan Hitter, Josh Kiernan,
Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Edward Philips, Gregory Sydney (Hamilton)
Absent: Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Charles Goodman, Laura Nelson
1. The agenda for the regular session was to take a position on Article 27. That is the water fowl violation enforcement by-law which makes it non-criminal.
2. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Joel Lessard to recommend Article 27.
3. There was considerable discussion regarding the wording of the article where it doesn’t say moving from criminal to non-criminal and who was enforcing this. There was an explanation that it is an educational tool to learn not to feed the geese. Decision to go with the Board of Health recommendation.
4. VOTED: 7-1-0. For: Gladstone, Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Philips, Sydney. Against: Fitzgerald.
OTHER BUSINESS
5. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to approve the Minutes of February 4, 2008.
6. VOTED: 3-0-5. For: Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard. Abstain: Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Miller, Philips, Sydney.
7. A MOTION was made by Joel Lessard and SECONDED by Ted Philips to approve the Minutes of February 11, 2008.
8. VOTED: 5-0-3. For: Fitzgerald, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Philips. Abstain: Gladstone, Hitter, Sydney.
9. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to approve the Minutes of February 25, 2008.
10. VOTED: 4-0-4. For: Fitzgerald, Hitter, Kiernan, Sydney. Abstain: Gladstone, Lessard, Miller, Philips.
11. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to approve the Minutes of March 3, 2008.
12. VOTED: 4-0-4. For: Kiernan, Miller, Philips, Sydney. Abstain: Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Hitter, Lessard.
13. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to approve the Minutes of March 10, 2008.
14. VOTED: 5-0-3. For: Fitzgerald, Kiernan, Lessard, Philips, Sydney. Abstain: Gladstone, Hitter, Miller.
15. A MOTION was made by Joel Lessard and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to approve the Minutes of March 17, 2008.
16. VOTED: 4-0-4. For: Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Philips. Abstain: Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Hitter, Sydney.
17. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to approve the Minutes of March 20, 2008.
18. VOTED: 4-0-4. For: Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller. Abstain: Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Philips, Sydney.
19. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to approve the Minutes of March 24, 2008.
20. VOTED: 6-0-2. For: Fitzgerald, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Philips, Sydney. Abstain: Gladstone, Lessard.
21. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to approve the Minutes of March 27, 2008.
22. VOTED: 3-0-5. For: Kiernan, Miller, Philips. Abstain: Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Hitter, Lessard, Sydney.
23. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to approve the Minutes of March 31, 2008.
24. VOTED: 4-0-4. For: Kiernan, Miller, Philips, Sydney. Abstain: Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Hitter, Lessard.
25. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to approve the Minutes of April 7, 2008.
26. VOTED: 3-0-5. For: Kiernan, Miller, Philips. Abstain: Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Hitter, Lessard, Sydney.
27. A MOTION was made by Joel Lessard and SECONDED by Ted Philips to adjourn the regular meeting and to begin the Open Warrant meeting at 8:00 p.m.
28. VOTED: 8-0-0.
29. OPEN WARRANT MEETING
30. ARTICLE 1. Finance Committee Members. Vote: 7-0-0.
31. ARTICLE 2. Act Upon Reports. Vote: 7-0-0.
32. ARTICLE 3. Increase in Funding of Stabilization Funds. Vote: 7-0-0.
33. Ira Miller explained that we are fortunate to be able to accept money of mitigation funds from Sharon Hills, $375,000. Allows us to accept money and establish fund.
34. ARTICLE 4. Personnel By-Law. Vote: 7-0-0. It defines almost all the positions in the town except for the ones which are dealt with in Article 5.
35. ARTICLE 5. Budgets/Compensation of Elected Officers. Vote: 7-0-0. Main portion of the town budget and other salaries not included in Article 4. The town recap sheet delineates where the money is being spent. Total of $64,995,070.
36. Joel Lessard stated that the point is to demonstrate where the tax rate is coming from. The tax levy is being raised. Whole evaluation of the town divided by tax rate, establishes FY’09 at $17.31. The evaluation is $2.8 million whether it goes up or down, but doesn’t change the tax levy. Where the tax rate is coming from and how it is affected by the town evaluation.
37. Ira Miller explained that State aid is not locked in until after Town Meeting. Under Article 5 we’ll be asked to take some money out of the Stabilization Fund. We were a little bit short in order to not assess money in excess of the 2.5% tax cap. This is the section of the meeting where it deals with that funding source. An additional appraisal has been done by someone hired by the Selectmen. That deficit will come out of that fund so taxes will not be increased. We raised the ability of the town to exceed 2.5% to the sum of $2.9 million. For the schools we added $1.9 million to their budget. It was $1.7 million under Proposition 2.5 override. Permanent part of our tax base. We can spend an additional $2.9 million. We only authorized $1.7 million. We could appropriate $1.2 million on your taxes. In the budget we exceeded the amount last year. We were short and took out of this fund instead of raising taxes. Hope more revenue will come in and not have to raise new taxes. It takes some time to assimilate how this process works.
38. Ira Miller explained the revenue source for this year was State aid, local sources such as excise tax and revenue from real estate taxes. One of the big areas is new growth. Get more money year to year. Gain more money from real estate property, new developments such as Sharon Hills and Sharon Commons. As the developments proceed, there will be additional revenues as well.
39. ARTICLE 6. To authorize transfer of $25,000 from Rattlesnake Hill Appraisal Account for supplemental funding for Conservation Commission budget. Vote: 7-0-0. This is a reallocation of money already approved for one purpose no longer needed. Put to purpose of Cedar Swamp. Importance to the quality of our drinking water and Lake Massapoag. That $25,000 will also see something under Article 24.
40. ARTICLE 7. Quarterly Tax Bills. Vote: 5-1-1. Recommended by Finance Director to improve cash flow.
41. ARTICLE 8. Establishment of Water Department Utility Enterprise Fund. Vote: 7-0-0. Set up a separate account as a special accounting mechanism.
42. There was discussion on the Enterprise Fund Account and whether it is similar to a revolving fund. Water generated money should be used on water activities.
43. ARTICLE 9. Norfolk County Retirement. Vote: 7-0-0. Cover costs pertaining to members in this retirement system.
44. ARTICLE 10. Unemployment. Vote: 7-0-0. About a 3% increase above FY’08.
45. ARTICLE 11. Sharon Friends School Fund Records and Appointments. Vote: 7-0-0.
46. ARTICLE 12. Allow Selectmen to reallocate funds of and to take action as it relates to the Sharon Friends School Fund. Vote: 7-0-0. This article is going to be recommended for indefinite postponement and may be withdrawn by proponent.
47. ARTICLE 13. Annual Audit. Vote: 7-0-0.
48. ARTICLE 14. Public Works – Streets & Sidewalks. Vote: 7-0-0. Annual Capital articles.
49. Ira Miller stated that Capital Outlay made some reallocation of existing funds without the need for borrowing.
50. ARTICLE 15. Public Works – Vehicles & Equipment. Vote: 7-0-0. Need street sweeper.
51. ARTICLE 16. School Department. Vote: 7-0-0. Annual replacement and repairs for the schools such as vans, furniture, and computers.
52. ARTICLE 17. Feasibility Study for Sharon Middle School. Vote: 6-1-0. Sharon was put on the short list for school reimbursement and would have to go ahead with feasibility study, update design, and hire a project manager to work with MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority).
53. There was some discussion on this article. There will be reimbursement by the State of 48%-52%. A suggestion by Marilyn Kahn, audience member, to focus on energy saving.
54. ARTICLE 18. Fire. Vote: 7-0-0. Water rescue craft.
55. There was some discussion regarding this jet ski with a tow craft behind that can get to shallow parts for rescue.
56. ARTICLE 19. Police. Vote: 7-0-0. Vehicles. Three police vehicles.
57. ARTICLE 20. Civil Defense. Vote: 5-1-1. Indefinite Postponement. Repairs to Civil Defense building to the rear of Police Station. Also houses DPW vehicles. This committee did update from what appears in the Warrant for indefinite postponement. There should be a plan for the building instead of replacing some windows without looking at overall needs of the entire building. It would be necessary to replace the roof, other areas of need in the building. The committee would like to see a plan and would revisit that kind of recommendation once that plan was brought forward.
58. ARTICLE 21. Library. Vote: 7-0-0. Repairs of library elevator and make the foyer more secure and fire resistant.
59. ARTICLE 22. Recreation. Vote: 7-0-0. Docks.
60. ARTICLE 23. Fire Department Equipment Grant. Vote: 7-0-0. Award of Firefighters Grant. The town funds a specific percentage of the purchase for what the grant fund is going to be used. $109,300 to purchase breathing apparatus. $5,465 town portion.
61. ARTICLE 24. Conservation Commission Acquisition – Piona Property. Vote: 7-0-0. A parcel of land for Cedar Swamp to revitalize the Cedar Swamp.
62. There was much discussion regarding this article by the owners of four homes at the dead end of Norfolk Place. They were concerned about traffic in this area that is designated as a Private Way. There was to be a meeting with the owners and the Conservation Commission to work out something on the Purchase & Sale agreement. Conferring with Attorney Dick Gelerman.
63. ARTICLE 25. Veteran’s Exemption. Vote: 7-0-0. Real estate.
64. ARTICLE 26. Community Preservation Committee Annual Funding – Administrative Expenses. Vote: 4-2-1. Community Preservation Committee requesting funds for administrative expenses. They have worked with consultant to create a plan.
65. ARTICLE 27. Non-criminal Violation – Penalties for Feeding Water Fowl. Vote: 7-1-0. Water fowl regulations change from criminal to non-criminal. Tried to clarify imprecise language.
66. ARTICLE 28. Easement for property at 145 Beach Street. Vote: 6-0-1. The wording was not precise. We are making that correction.
67. ARTICLE 29. Correct Error in Zoning Map. Vote: 6-1-0.
68. ARTICLE 30. Accept Gridley Pond Estates Easement. Vote: 7-0-0. Drainage area, Gridley Pond Estates. After development is finished, this would allow the town to accept.
69. ARTICLE 31. Authorizations Regarding Trench Safety Permits and Fees. Vote: 7-0-0. Trench excavation by Superintendent of DPW.
70. ARTICLE 32. Revolving Funds Reauthorizations. 6-0-1. Re-issuance and reauthorization of revolving funds. That is our annual articles.
71. ARTICLE 33. Establish “Waterfront Recreation Programs” Revolving Fund. Vote: 6-1-0. Creating a new fund to directly tie the funds to be overseen by Board of Selectmen and managed by Director.
72. ARTICLE 34. Establish “Community Center Building Maintenance” Revolving Fund. Vote: 5-2-0. Take new revenues to put back into maintenance of the Community Center. The opposing members felt the better method of tying that in should be in the operating budgets of the various departments.
73. ARTICLE 35. Correct Numbering Error from May 2007 Annual Town Meeting. Vote: 7-0-0.
74. Ira Miller announced that there is a Pre-Town Meeting on Thursday evening. Town Meeting is next Monday beginning at 7:00 p.m. sharp. There is a town election on Tuesday, May 20.
75. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to adjourn.
76. VOTED: 8-0-0.
77. The Open Warrant Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.