Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – January 26, 2009

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

Members Present:  Maria Anderson, Brian Fitzgerald, Donald Gilligan, Gordon

                               Gladstone, Charles Goodman (late), Jonathan Hitter, Josh Kiernan, Ira

                               Miller, Laura Nelson (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Joel Lessard, Edward Philips

1. The first item on the agenda was the Conservation Commission’s FY’10 budget review.  Greg Meister, Conservation Agent, and Peg Arguimbau, Chair of the Conservation Commission were present.

2. Greg Meister went over the two budgets, level funded and minus 5%.  He stated that they have already over expended legal due to needing temporary injunctions against two landowners for wetlands violations.  Because of more marginal lots, there are more legal issues.  He reported on the Cedar Swamp project stating that there is $15,000 still left for that, and he has applied for a state grant to get the restoration project designated as priority.

3. There was much discussion regarding the Conservation Commission budget and continuing projects.

4. The Finance Committee received the Board of Health budget, but the representative to present it was at the Board of Health meeting.  This budget will be reviewed at a later date.

5. The Committee reviewed the Town Clerk’s budget and received correspondence to read into the record:  “We discussed the line items on the FY’10 budget and I neglected to discuss other responsibilities in the office, i.e., Zoning Board of Appeals applications—this office accepts applications and certifies and distributes to the appropriate parties the decisions as well as answer inquiries throughout the hearing process from the public on the various applications and certifies the 20 day appeal period for each application; accepts planning board subdivisions and Forms A,B,C,D, etc. and distributes the same; posts meeting notices and agendas; accepts board/committee minutes; verifies information from State, Federal and Local Agencies via telephone or counter inquiries; research for Town departments, boards, committees and Town Counsel warrant, town meeting, articles, etc.  These are just a few of the daily duties performed in the Town Clerk’s office in addition to the duties discussed last night, not to mention amending a birth certificate, creating an Out-of-Country birth certificate for adoption purposes and various other non-routine vital statistic procedures.  These duties cannot be accomplished with “volunteers”, but need the expertise of the Town Clerk’s Office.”

6. Gordon Gladstone reported on the Capital Outlay meeting.  Capital Outlay received all the information for requests.  There will be a walk through tour on February 8 at 1 P.M. starting at the DPW.  Joe Roach made a recommendation that we defer all Capital Outlay non-emergency requests for a year.

7. Ira Miller reported that the Priorities Committee reviewed the latest estimate.  We’re still waiting to see what the local aid number will be.  The Governor met with Mass. Municipal Association and mentioned cuts for ’09.  He wasn’t going to cut Chapter 70.  Whatever comes in impacts the entire budget.  According to the Finance Director, Bill Fowler, he thought that the percentage of reduction might be 9.7% for the current FY’09.  He received from the Registry the first numbers on the motor vehicle excise tax.  That came in a little bit higher than he was budgeting for FY’09.  The Wilber advance, being very fiscally conservative, would be o.k. for ’09.  FY’10 state deduction was $325 million.  We put that in for revenue estimates at 10% reduction in state aid.  There will be a Priorities meeting on Wednesday.

8. There was some discussion on this report.  With more information, the sectors could get the percentage for preparing budgets.

9. Jon Hitter reported on his and Don’s participation at the School Forum.  Committee members were trying to come up with suggestions on ways to save money.  The biggest discussion was health insurance.  Other topics were bullying, extending school hours, and Special Education.

10. There was some discussion on this report.  The information from the Forum will be noted by the Superintendent, and when the budget is finalized, there will be open dialogue with the community.

11. Laura Nelson read the proposed draft list of annual town meeting 2009 articles, 1-10:  1) Property adjacent to the high school; 2) Telecommunications by-law; 3) Johnson Drive; 4) Brickstone – Mountain Street; 5) Sharon Friends of School Fund; 6) Light Industrial District; 7) Sign By-Law; 8) Accepting new growth legislation; 9) Raising minimum value for personal property tax; 10) Conservation Restriction for Camp Gannett property.

12. Ira Miller suggested the Committee try and establish contact with the proponents of those articles so we can educate ourselves.  Selectmen don’t expect to have their budget presentation before February, possibly the end of February.  The Schools at end of February, beginning of March.  We have a four to six week period to get our reviews in and budget recommendation as well as rest of article recommendations.

13. There was discussion held regarding some of the upcoming Warrant articles.

14. Josh Kiernan presented a pie chart on the Priorities numbers above $500,000.

15. There were some comments regarding the insurance numbers to be broken down into Health and other insurance.

16. Ira Miller announced the Economic Development meeting in the town library for the final presentation of 43D, which begins at 7 p.m., Wednesday, January 28.

17. The next meeting will be February 9.

18. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

19. VOTED:  9-0-0.

20. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.