Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – March 8, 2010

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

Members Present:  Maria Anderson, Brian Fitzgerald (late), Keith Garte, Donald

                               Gilligan, Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman, Jonathan Hitter, Josh

                               Kiernan, Joel Lessard, Ira Miller (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Laura Nelson, Edward Philips

1. This meeting was to continue the FY’11 budget presentation by the Board of Selectmen sector.  The first item was for the Water Department Enterprise.

2. Eric Hooper, DPW Superintendent, made the presentation.  The Water Budget was $2,363,959 which includes $946,894 salaries and wages contractually, 2% steps for eligible personnel, and 1% cost of living.  $879,545 for materials and supplies and $512,500 for long term projects.  Additional $25,000 equipment replacement.  Water main replacements on Massapoag Avenue, catch basin cleaning, and conservation of water.  No money for property purchase, no money for emergency reserve.  Move towards something similar to the way the electric industry sends bills.  Could track product cost.

3. There was much discussion on the Water Department budget regarding reserve account, revenues, salaries, health insurance, and Workers’ Compensation Insurance.  The enterprise fund functions like a business, but can’t make a profit.  Can accrue revenue up to $5M.

4. Water rates were increased.  Billing will be quarterly starting April 1.  Able to read whole town in two to three days with new meters instead of 1/6 of town.  Also able to track where leaks are.

5. The next item was the rest of the Selectmen’s sector budget.

6. Ben Puritz gave a summary of the Selectmen’s sector.  Priorities allocated a 2.47% increase.  1% adjustment for personnel.

7. The Committee went through each of the Selectmen’s sector budgets with questions and discussions, and explanations provided by Ben Puritz and Bill Fowler.

8. Jon Hitter announced that Warrant recommendations are due April 1.

9. Ben Puritz would be available at the next meeting to discuss Board of Selectmen’s Warrant articles.  Need to have presentation of Capital articles.  Community Preservation Committee might come in to discuss their articles.  Also Southeastern Regional School District’s FY’11 budget.

10. Ben Puritz indicated the need to speak about Article 16.  Horizons for Youth --Conservation restriction.  Place on Horizons for Youth property to be managed by Conservation Commission.  He will be available at next week’s meeting.

11. The next meeting will be March 15, 2010, with Community Preservation Committee; Southeastern Regional School District, FY’11 budget; and Ben Puritz discussing Selectmen’s Warrant articles.

12. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

13. VOTED:  10-0-0.

14. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m.