Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – September 30, 2009

Sharon High School Library – 7:30 P.M.

Members Present:  Brian Fitzgerald, Donald Gilligan, Gordon Gladstone, Jonathan Hitter,

                               Josh Kiernan, Ira Miller, Laura Nelson (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Maria Anderson, Keith Garte, Charles Goodman, Joel Lessard,

                               Edward Philips

1. The first item on the agenda was to approve minutes.

2. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to approve the minutes of August 3, 2009.

3. VOTED:  5-0-2.  For:  Gilligan, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Nelson.  Abstain:  Fitzgerald, Gladstone.

4. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Laura Nelson to approve the minutes of August 24, 2009.

5. VOTED:  5-0-2.  For:  Fitzgerald, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Nelson.  Abstain:  Gilligan, Gladstone.

6. The September 9^th minutes were held for a future meeting.

7. The September 14^th meeting was posted, but no quorum.

8. The next item on the agenda was to discuss Warrant articles for the Fall Town Meeting.

9. Article 12.  The legislation amending the maximum work off amount under Ch. 59, section 5K has been enacted as Outside section 24 to the FY’10 Budget.  Senior property tax work off program.

10. Norma Simons Fitzgerald, Director, Council on Aging, reported she had worked with legislators to increase tax work off program.  Sixty and over can work in non-union types of situations.  Helping town employees with things they can’t get time to do.  The program has grown in popularity and grown in economic needs.  113 people applied.  Some are couples working up to maximum.

11. There was some discussion on this article.  The amount would be raised from $750 to $1,000 and would come from the Assessors Overlay Account.

12. Jon Hitter stated that Brickstone will be at the Finance Committee on October 14 with Tom Houston to discuss articles 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8.  October 5, Articles 1 and 2 with Paul Lauenstein.  More information on the Middle School at a later date.

13. Article 7.  Off premises consumption for Square and for Heights – beer and wine only.

14. Ben Puritz stated that this is identical except for zoning districts authorized by May Town Meeting.  Town previously approved the districts:  Shaw’s Plaza, Sharon Commons, and Route 1.

15. There was considerable discussion on this article noting a limitation of five licenses in each district.  Ben Puritz will verify with Town Counsel how many licenses can be available.

16. Article 10.  Revolving fund cap increase for Recreation, Waterfront and Program—might be eliminated.

17. Bill Fowler reported on this article of an alternate measure of approving it without Town Meeting.  Within any fiscal year, Selectmen or Finance Committee can increase.

18. There was much discussion held on this article.

19. Ira Miller recommended that this article not go to Town Meeting, see what income and expenses are, and look at with Selectmen after Town Meeting.

20. Article 11.  Revolving fund for after hours use of Library.

21. Bill Fowler stated this doesn’t fall under statutory.  Doesn’t need to go to Town Meeting.  Article 11 to be eliminated.

22. Article 13.  Former Pozza Property on Belcher Street to petition legislature to release Town Land to complete land swap as voted in 1999.

23. A land swap previously approved by Town Meeting.  Re-vote for Legislature to enact necessary provisions.  Some survey issues.  To be more fully discussed with Conservation Commission on October 5.

24. Article 14.  Purchase of land by Sharon Department of Water Zone:  Assessors Map 31 parcel 16 owned by Nicholas G. Diesso to be purchased for the protection of Well #6.

25. Ben Puritz reported that the Town is raising money to buy land, .24 acreage.  A small wedge adjacent to well area for $10,000.  Pending Town Meeting authorization.  Primary reason land is valuable is that the main water line from that well is or may be on the edge of that property.  Not asking for borrowing.  Funded from Water, existing fund.  Will verify acreage with Town Engineer.

26. There was some discussion on this article.

27. Article 15.  Animal Control changes in by-law.

28. Ben Puritz stated this is to clarify that the late fee after May 31 and words on or after.  It is language, not having to do with money.

29. Article 16.  Roadway acceptance of Eisenhower Drive Extension.  Laying out of road.

30. There was some discussion on this article.  A public hearing is scheduled for October 20.  There will be more discussion with Paul Lauenstein on October 5.

31. Article 17.  Horizons for Youth – Lease Authorization Extension.

32. Ben Puritz reported they are engaged in negotiations for long term lease.  For lease more than 10 years, approved for 20 years.  Applicant requested that the term of lease and authorization to allow for two 10 year renewals.  Forty year lease.

33. There was much discussion on this article giving 40 year lease.

34. Article 18.  Sign by-law change (technical change).  Planning Board coming in on October 5.  They can expand on that.  Mainly language clean up.  All technical and consistency.

35. Article 8.  Zoning article that seeks to amend the uses allowable in the light industrial district.  Planning Board has lot to do with it.  More information on October 5 and October 14..

36. Jon Hitter reported on Middle School.  We had joint meeting with School Committee.  Approved reimbursement rate.  Dollar amount being reimbursed.  Going to Standing Building Committee for final amount.

37. There was some discussion on the amount to be borrowed in the $21M to $23M range.

38. Bill Fowler reported on types of borrowings:  Traditional 20 year, level debt, level principal, or Build America bond.  Over life of bond saving $2M to go level principal.

39. There was much discussion on Middle School project funding.

40. There was some discussion about rent not being collected for Glenview, and it was stated that procedures are now in place to track receivables so it won’t happen again.

41. OLD BUSINESS

42. Warrant recommendations and follow-up of rental procedures was done.  Format of annual report will be continued.

43. Health insurance discussion to be postponed until December 7 if participants are available.

44. October 19 meeting for decision items.  Try to put recommendations in Advocate.  Put recommendations on website.

45. The next meeting will be October 5, 2009.

46. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

47. VOTED:  7-0-0.

48. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.