Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – June 2, 2008

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

Members Present:  Maria Anderson, Brian Fitzgerald (late), Donald Gilligan, Gordon

                               Gladstone, Charles Goodman, Jonathan Hitter, Josh Kiernan, Joel

                               Lessard, Ira Miller, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips (Hamilton)

1.  The first item on the agenda was the committee’s reorganization.

2. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Chuck Goodman to nominate Ira Miller for Chair.

3. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Maria Anderson to nominate Joel Lessard for Chair.

4. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to nominate Jon Hitter for Chair.

5. Joel Lessard declined the nomination.

6. Ira Miller left the nomination up to the committee.

7. Jon Hitter declined the nomination.

8. VOTED:  10-0-0.

9. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Ted Philips to nominate Joel Lessard for Vice Chair.

10. A MOTION was made by Joel Lessard and SECONDED by Maria Anderson to nominate Jon Hitter for Vice Chair.

11. Jon Hitter accepted the nomination.

12. Joel Lessard accepted the nomination.

13. VOTED:  10-0-0.

14. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Laura Nelson to nominate Maria Anderson for Clerk.

15. Maria Anderson accepted the nomination.

16. VOTED:  10-0-0.

17. The next item on the agenda was committee assignments.  Members would list their preferences to be primary liaison to a committee, such as Police, Fire, School Committee, Conservation Commission, Library, Board of Health, CPC, and Recreation, to be put together for the next meeting.  Chuck has been a strong liaison with Accounting Department and Finance.

18. The next item on the agenda was a question that came forward between the last meeting and tonight if the committee had ever dealt with the issue of financial liability at the Wilber School.  What would the liability be about the septic treatment if we owned the land and the tenant owns the building?  Ira Miller stated that he had some documents from Board of Selectmen about the sewage treatment plant.  The short version is the tenant will be the owner and operator.  That might go awry with the treatment plant.  Also the DEP permitting process.  Some mention about who would be responsible for the running and correct operation of such a plant.  Paul Lauenstein is here tonight.  He’s fairly cognizant as a member of Planning Board and Water Advisory Committee.  This is still being discussed and worked out.  This is an opportunity for Paul to educate us as there are meetings tonight.

19. Paul Lauenstein questioned how much water can the town absorb before causing problems in the neighborhood?  It had to do with waste water.  The amount was 10,000 gallons a day.  I attended a meeting of Wilber Redevelopment.  The engineer said 10,000 gallons a day could be put in the ground without harmful effect.  In the contract, it is 18,000 a day.  The town will continue to own the land.  If there were problems, what would happen?  This flow of waste water is going to keep coming.

20. There was discussion regarding the town’s financial liability and Board of Health meeting with questions raised regarding Post Office Square and capacity of wastewater.

21. Chuck Goodman questioned the amount of revenue and what the town is obligated to do if something goes wrong.

22. There was continued discussion regarding the cost of this system, if something had to be done; if there was an insurance policy, and whether a $10 million liability would be adequate for indemnification.

23. There was some discussion regarding cost to join MWRA and an emergency tie-in with a permanent connection to open the valve.

24. The next item on the agenda regarded the mileage of the car use for town vehicles.  Chuck Goodman did a spread sheet.

25. Chuck Goodman reported that with the increase in fuel cost, what was the mileage of the vehicles on the road?  List the department, the vehicle model, type, odometer, July 1, 2008, to March 31, 2009.  See what comparable mileage over nine months.

26. A suggestion was made that if the insurance policy has a list of vehicles, please provide to us.  Get information and then speak to Bill Fowler.

27. Chuck Goodman’s next item regarded listing salaries of every employee in Town Reports from other towns, but Sharon does not do this.  If anybody wants to find out about school figures, go to www.doe.mass.edu.  Go into the school/district profiles.  Go to county, then choose town.  Information furnished by towns to Department of Education.  All they do is summarize the information.  Not somebody analyzing.

28. There was discussion held regarding Sharon’s Town Report and information provided in Town Reports of other towns.  The committee needs to get more information especially using the Finance Director, Bill Fowler, as a resource.

29. OTHER BUSINESS

30. Gordon Gladstone reported that the Charter Commission was given a budget of $5,000.  Going to ask Selectmen or come to us.

31. There was discussion that this money won’t be encumbered this fiscal year.  The Commission needs secretarial services and a consultant.  There could be a Reserve Fund Transfer Request.

32. At the next meeting the committee would try and get liaison activities lined up and Reserve Fund Transfers done.

33. Ira Miller stated that July 15 is the last legal day for Reserve Fund transfer.  This Reserve Fund Transfer Request I have is for Veterans Agent, $11,116.  We haven’t received the Snow & Ice amount.  Potential for Legal Funds not done until end of year.

34. The next meeting will be June 23.

35. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

36. VOTED:  11-0-0.

37. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.