Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – June 1, 2009

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

Members Present:  Maria Anderson, Keith Garte, Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman,

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

                               Edward Philips (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Brian Fitzgerald, Donald Gilligan

1. The first item on the agenda was to reorganize the committee and elect officers.  At Town Meeting four members were re-elected:  Chuck Goodman, Jon Hitter, Ira Miller, and Laura Nelson, and new member, Keith Garte, was elected.

2. A MOTION was made by Laura Nelson and SECONDED by Maria Anderson to nominate Joel Lessard as Chair.

3. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Joel Lessard to nominate Jon Hitter as Chair.

4. Joel Lessard and Jon Hitter accepted the nomination.

5. There was some discussion regarding the time requirements for the position by both candidates.  Both felt it would not be a negative impact.

6. The first vote was for candidate Joel Lessard.

7. VOTED:  2-0-1.  For:  Anderson, Nelson.  Abstain:  Garte.

8. The second vote was for candidate Jon Hitter.

9. VOTED:  6-0-1.  For:  Gladstone, Goodman, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Philips.  Abstain:  Garte.

10. Jon Hitter was elected Chairman.

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

12. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Ted Philips to nominate Ira Miller as Vice Chair.

13. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Ted Philips to nominate Josh Kiernan as Vice Chair.

14. Ira Miller declined the nomination.

15. VOTED:  7-0-2.  For:  Anderson, Gladstone, Goodman, Kiernan, Miller, Nelson, Philips.  Abstain:  Garte, Lessard.

16. Joel Lessard was elected Vice Chair.

17. VOTED:  6-0-1.  Anderson, Gladstone, Goodman, Miller, Nelson, Philips.  Abstain:  Garte.

18. Josh Kiernan was elected Vice Chair.

19. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Joel Lessard to nominate Maria Anderson as Clerk.

20. VOTED:  8-0-2.  For:  Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Nelson, Philips.  Abstain:  Anderson, Garte.

21. Maria Anderson was elected Clerk.

22. The next item on the agenda was to approve minutes.

23. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Chuck Goodman to approve the minutes of March 19, 2009.

24. VOTED:  6-0-4.  For:  Anderson, Goodman, Kiernan, Miller, Nelson, Philips.  Abstain:  Garte, Gladstone, Hitter, Lessard.

25. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Chuck Goodman to approve the minutes of March 23, 2009.

26. VOTED:  8-0-2.  For:  Anderson, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Nelson, Philips.  Abstain:  Garte, Gladstone.

27. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Ira Miller to approve the minutes of March 30, 2009.

28. VOTED:  7-0-3.  For:  Anderson, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Nelson, Philips.  Abstain:  Garte, Gladstone, Lessard.

29. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Chuck Goodman to approve the minutes of April 1, 2009.

30. VOTED:  7-0-3.  Anderson, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Nelson, Philips.  Abstain:  Garte, Gladstone, Lessard.

31. A MOTION was made by Joel Lessard and SECONDED by Maria Anderson to approve the minutes of April 13, 2009.

32. VOTED:  6-0-4.  For:  Anderson, Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Nelson.  Abstain:  Garte, Gladstone, Goodman, Philips.

33. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Joel Lessard to approve the minutes of April 27, 2009.

34. VOTED:  7-0-3.  For:  Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Nelson, Philips.  Abstain:  Anderson, Garte, Gladstone.

35. A MOTION was made by Chuck Goodman and SECONDED by Ira Miller to approve the minutes of May 4, 2009.

36. VOTED:  7-0-3.  For:  Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Nelson, Philips.  Abstain:  Anderson, Garte, Gladstone.

37. The next item on the agenda was discussion on the goals for FY’09 results, regarding impact and future impact.

38. (1).  Monitor revenue expectations of new projects:  Sharon Hills, Sharon Commons, Wilber.  Keep monitoring revenue forecast and expenditures.  Any impact on FY’10.  (2).  Health insurance.  School Committee still in negotiation.

39. Ira Miller stated that he had attended Insurance Advisory Committee meetings.  The Selectmen are evaluating whether the town should go into the State GIC plan.  The State is making an effort to push communities to the GIC.  If they don’t join and their own insurance rates are higher than the GIC, the towns could possibly forfeit State aid.

40. Ted Philips reported what is happening at the State level.  Number of provisions of health.  Putting in budget.  Discussion about plan design.  Discussion regarding State employees’ insurance; House approved 80/20 split, Senate 75/25.  Currently 85/15.  Talked about 70/30.  We’re moving toward those levels.

41. (3).  Monitor energy budgets.

42. There was a suggestion to have Energy Conservation Group come back in during September, October, or November and give an update.  Also report on School Department and DPW to see how they are implementing this.

43. (4).  Review Town-wide Maintenance Department proposal.

44. There was some discussion on this item and a suggestion to have Ben Puritz come in and discuss this.

45. (5).  Review Mitigation Funds received for Avalon in Sharon.  That has been done as allocated.  Some was used for sidewalk repair.

46. Ira Miller stated that under Article 19 the Town will raise and approve $634,000 for public ways and sidewalks.  That money can be used for sidewalk repair.

47. (6).  Review policies of town-owned vehicles.

48. There was some discussion on this item and a suggestion that committee be updated by Ben Puritz.

49.  (7).  Publish Annual Town Report with full details.  That was met.  There were comments before and right after it came out.

50. There was some discussion on this item and a suggestion that an early meeting with Bill Fowler would be helpful.

51. (8).  Prepare Town Department budgets with separate line items for salaries.

52. There was much discussion on this item.  Need to have discussion with Bill Fowler.

53. (9).  Formally support Capital Outlay debt elimination strategy.  Strategy was continued.

54. (10).  Minimize any FY 2010 override request.  FY’10 override was not raised.

55. (11).  Continue “It’s Your Money” articles in Sharon Advocate.  Only did one.  A suggestion was made that it was still a good goal.

56. (12).  Adopt Finance Committee Mission Statement.  That was done.

57. There was a suggestion to discuss FY’10 goals at next meeting.

58. There was general discussion regarding Priorities and its function.  There was a suggestion they meet earlier than November.

59. There was a general discussion regarding sector budgets.  There was a suggestion that the Finance Committee give up their sector budgets.

60. The next item was a discussion regarding Town Meeting.  It was mentioned that the meeting was done quickly because many articles were worked out and settled beforehand.  Those that required more information were eliminated.

61. A comment was made that the November Town Meeting will have School and Zoning articles.

62. OLD BUSINESS

63. Laura Nelson stated that in the April 27^th minutes, paragraph 89, item to clarify, and Moderator will come to discuss.

64. Ira Miller stated this regards when the committee voted for indefinite postponement.  The Moderator would look into how and who speaks on the motion.

65. Joel Lessard stated the way we roll down the budget.  Vote as a block.

66. Jon Hitter stated we will have these items for another meeting to do in the summer before September.

67. NEW BUSINESS

68. (1).  Set a summer schedule.  (2).  List of committee assignments.  (3).  Reserve Funds.

69. Ira Miller stated that Ben Puritz would have Reserve Fund request information.

70. Chuck Goodman suggested that the Finance Committee be aware of any State Senate 40b housing revisions coming up that could affect future budgeting expenditures.

71. Jon Hitter commented on future meetings and agenda.  Some items would be Bill Fowler - Middle School; have Glenn Allen in to give update.  What are they going to do with Administration piece?  Not reimbursable.  ZBA-Hills.  Have in to update.

72. Ira Miller stated regarding Brickstone/Sharon Hills that Selectmen will hold a meeting.  Brickstone wanted to go to ZBA for plan on Mountain Street before Town had to vote on change.  Now going to have at Town Meeting.  Vote on the use of Mountain Street.

73. There was some discussion regarding Brickstone and how they are handling Mountain Street.

74. Future meetings will be Monday, June 22; July 13; August 3; and August 24.  At next meeting goals, committee assignments, and Reserve Fund Transfers.

75. The next meeting will be June 22.

76. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

77. VOTED:  10-0-0.

78. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.