Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – December 15, 2008

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

Members Present:  Brian Fitzgerald (late), Donald Gilligan, Gordon Gladstone, Charles

                               Goodman, Jonathan Hitter (late), Josh Kiernan, Joel Lessard, Ira

                               Miller, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips, (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Maria Anderson

1. Items on the agenda were to review goals, review Mission Statement, get updates from Priorities Committee members and Capital Outlay, as part of the FY’10 Revenue Forecast as it currently exists.

2. Laura Nelson reviewed the twelve goals for FY’09.

3. The committee discussed each one as to status, what had been completed, and what still needed to be done.

4. There was a report from the representatives to Capital Outlay.  Winter tour to be in December or January.  Capital Outlay has heard from all departments except school.  No decision will be made until all items are in.

5. One of the goals was to adopt Finance Committee Mission Statement, which is discussion at Town Meeting, provide budget, make recommendations, and town services are met in fiscally responsible manner.

6. A MOTION was made by Don Gilligan and SECONDED by Ted Philips to adopt the Mission Statement.

7. VOTED:  10-0-0.

8. There was some discussion regarding who makes the first motion at Town Meeting.  This information was in the Finance Committee Handbook of 1988.

9. There was continued discussion on the Nominating Committee, process of appointment of Finance Committee members, and providing bios of Finance Committee members.  Finance Committee to confer with Nominating Committee.

10. The next item on the agenda was a report from Priorities Committee members.  Chuck Goodman and Ira Miller gave information from two versions of Revenue Forecast and reported on reduction in State Aid and local sources.

11. There was much discussion held regarding the Revenue Forecast, poor economy, the excess levy capacity, and revenue sources that may not be available.

12. Ira Miller announced that a budget letter would go out to department heads in Finance Committee sector to be reviewed in January.  Requested three budgets:  level funded, level funded plus contractual, level funded minus 5%.

13. There was some discussion on the three budgets to be prepared.

14. A MOTION was made by Joel Lessard and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan that Finance Committee sector budgets be level funded, plus or minus 5%, by January 15 and Chair has ability to put out the budget letter.

15. VOTED:  10-0-0.

16. A suggestion was made to go into Executive Session for the purpose of strategy and collective bargaining strategy with intent for coming forward with recommendation for School Committee.

17. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Laura Nelson to go into Executive Session for the purpose of collective bargaining strategy and at end of Executive Session to adjourn meeting.

18. VOTED:  9-1-0.  Against.  Philips.

19. The next meeting will be either January 5 or January 12.

20. The regular meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.