Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – September 8, 2008

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

Members Present:  Maria Anderson, Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman, Jonathan

                               Hitter, Josh Kiernan, Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Laura Nelson,

                               (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Brian Fitzgerald, Donald Gilligan, Edward Philips

1. The first item on the agenda was a review of the financial audit for the year ending June 30, 2007, presented by Chuck Goodman, also a member of the Audit Committee.  Mr. Goodman stated that the Audit Committee consisted of five members, one from Selectmen, Bill Heitin; one from Finance Committee, Chuck Goodman; one from School Committee, Linda Callan; and two members at large appointed by the Selectmen, David Fixler and Kevin Brown.  On September 2 an Audit Committee meeting was held.  Present were five members of the Audit Committee, Ben Puritz, partners in charge of the audit, manager in charge of the audit, Bill Fowler and Cindy Doherty, the new Town Accountant.  They received the final Audit Report and Management Letter which was discussed.  Then the auditors presented 16 important issues from the Management Letter to the Audit Committee only.  The next Audit Committee meeting was scheduled for December, 2008.

2. The Chairman of the Finance Committee had tried to have a partner or manager in charge of the audit come in to answer questions, but they were unavailable for this meeting, and Mr. Fowler was not feeling well to come in himself.

3. There was considerable discussion regarding this report and the issues brought up in the Management Letter.  A suggestion was made that the Audit Committee have their next meeting sooner than December, discuss recommendations by Department of Revenue, oversee and monitor implementation of recommendations, and see if the committee thinks it is appropriate to take some other action.

4. There was a suggestion to check into the By-Law that set up the Finance Department and Audit Committee and invite the Audit Committee to come to the Finance Committee to discuss the June 30, 2007, Annual Audit Report and Management Letter.

5. OTHER BUSINESS

6. Ira Miller announced that we received some information about new potential articles.  Reviewed what was available at the time.  There is no date yet for a new public meeting to discuss Brickstone.  There is hope that the responses being asked for of the representative of Brickstone by our peer review should be coming this week.  Once they are obtained, a date will be set for the meeting that was to take place last Thursday.  Open Warrant Meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 10.  Pre-Town Meeting takes place on Wednesday, November 12.  Our recommendations would be due on Tuesday, October 21.  Warrant should close tomorrow at Selectmen’s meeting.  Should receive final updated list of articles by our next meeting.

7. Ira Miller stated that the last two articles on the list are being reviewed by Town Counsel.  Revision to Sign By-law, General By-laws and Zoning By-laws.  Review to make sure no conflict between two by-laws.  To require difference between General By-law and Sign By-law.  Concern they may be in conflict.  Last article from Town Clerk, removal of demand fees for burial.  A challenge to a town on those fees.  It was upheld making those fees not legal.  To stay in accord with our current by-laws to remove those fees.  One additional article that didn’t make this list.  It would allow for the raising of some fees.  Some fees that have been $5 or $10 due to inflation are now allowed $15 or $20.  May be placeholder.

8. Laura Nelson had question on one item in the minutes of August 25 regarding seats in a restaurant serving alcohol.  She will check on it for the next meeting.

9. Ira Miller stated that under the goals of the Finance Committee to put in a list of Town employees and their salaries in the Annual Report.  If the committee decides to follow through, to form a subcommittee as to what kind of format.

10. There was much discussion regarding the salaries being printed in the Annual Report since 80% of the tax dollar goes to salaries so that the townspeople can see that information.  Maria Anderson volunteered to form a subcommittee to look into this.  When preparing the budget, it would be easier to compare salaries from year to year.

11. An item for the next meeting would be to discuss the Finance Committee mission.  Another item for the next agenda would be to talk to the Audit Committee.

12. The next meeting will be September 22, 2008.

13. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

14. VOTED:  8-0-0.

15. The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.