Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – March 31, 2010

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

Members Present:  Maria Anderson, Keith Garte, Donald Gilligan, Gordon Gladstone

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

                               Edward Philips (late), (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Brian Fitzgerald, Joel Lessard, Laura Nelson

1. The first item on the agenda was the Capital Outlay Warrant articles.

2. Paul Linehan, Chair, Capital Outlay Committee, presented the background of the committee and debt reduction plan before going over the Capital articles in the Warrant.  Capital budget for FY’11 is 5.11%.  By 2021 no more borrowing.  Avoid interest and issuance expense.

3. Capital Outlay Articles

4. 1.  Library:  Not recommended.  For Reserve Fund Transfer.

5. 2.  Civil Defense:  Windows and doors replacement.  Will complete the program updating the building.

6. 3.  Council On Aging:  Didn’t recommend mini-bus, opted for van.

7. 4.  Fire:  Fire Chief’s car not recommended.  Opted for tanker.  Replace ambulance.

8. 5.  Police:  Tasers, two cruisers.  Tasers, one opposing vote.  Everything else was unanimous.

9. 6.  DPW:  Two pickups and tractor.  Building improvements, energy conservation improvement throughout town.  Boilers.  Replacing windows in Town Hall.  Replacing windows in Police Station and Fire Station.

10. 7.  Recreation:  Septic at Ames Street playground non-functional.  Caretaker’s cottage is dilapidated structure.  He maintains grounds of Community Center, closes it.  Lot of vandalism before having caretaker.  Department equipment, boat.  Boat Ramp—only structure has to be taken in and out every year.  Other equipment stays in all year.

11. 8.  Selectmen:  Town Hall copier.

12. 9.  School:  Acoustic treatment—special ceiling tiles.  Done in every classroom that child is in.  Weight Room at High School.  Addition to school.  Represents full impact of renovation.  Fundraising will be for equipment, $100,000.  Design roof/solar, $275,000 just for design.  Work to come later.

13. There was much discussion on the Capital items.  $3,155,185.17 total borrowings.

14. There was some discussion with Ben Puritz on the copier for the Selectmen that is five years old.  Replacement cycle on 1M copies, now has 840,000 copies.

15. Next item on the agenda was to deliberate on Warrant articles.

16. Article 20.  Community Preservation Committee Administrative Expenses and Other Items.

17. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to recommend Article 20, funding Sharon Housing Authority up to $15,000.

18. There was some discussion on this motion stating this building is also in the historical zone.  One opinion was that the state is responsible for repairs, but not meeting obligation for the housing component.

19. VOTED:  7-0-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller.

20. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Maria Anderson for indefinite postponement of Article 20, Community Preservation Committee, Affordable Housing Site Study up to $20,000.

21. There was some discussion on this motion and a suggestion that the Town has resources to undertake what was requested to be funded.

22. VOTED:  6-1-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller.  Against:  Goodman.

23. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to recommend up to 5% or up to $20,000 of CPA revenues for Community Preservation Committee administrative expenses under Article 20.

24. VOTED:  7-0-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller.

25. The next item on the agenda was the Sacred Heart Re-use Committee, with John Davis, Ed Keenan, and Rita Fontes, three of the four members, who made the presentation.  Their goal was to find a use for this property and try to meet some of the needs of the community.  They have an RFP that was almost completed.  A plan for an indoor facility with a pool and other ideas were suggested.  Looking for proposals from developers interested in this site.

26. There was considerable discussion on the three Sacred Heart Warrant articles.  The Planning Board is having a hearing on April 14 regarding Article 13, zoning.  The Finance Committee will wait for outcome of the hearing before voting.  There was a question of length of long-term lease.

27. Continued deliberations on Warrant articles.

28. Jon Hitter stated that Community Preservation Committee article 16 was up to $15,000 to allow the Selectmen to get funds for conservation restriction on Horizons for Youth land.  Got quotes of $10,000; $2,000 for legal fees.

29. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Maria Anderson to recommend Article 16, Horizons for Youth Conservation Restriction Conveyance, up to $15,000.

30. There was some discussion on the motion.

31. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Philips.

32. There was discussion with Gordon Gladstone on some of the Capital items such as the Weight Room, the Track, and Roof/Solar Design.  There will be a report for next Monday’s meeting.

33. The next item on the agenda was the Finance Committee budget. Need to discuss Town Clerk’s salary.  There was $5,000 left over from Priorities.

34. There was some discussion regarding Town Clerk’s salary.  There was concern if the Charter passed, Town Clerk’s duties would be increased.  Discussion on Town Clerk and Board of Health budgets and requests for additional funds.

35. A MOTION was made by Chuck Goodman and SECONDED by Gordon Gladstone to increase Town Clerk’s salary 1% to $67,306.

36. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Philips.

37. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Ted Philips to adopt Option 2 of the Town Clerk’s budget from $8,989 to $10,925.  2.6% increase.  Total budget to $132,308.

38. VOTED:  8-0-1.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Philips.  Abstain:  Goodman.

39. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Don Gilligan to add $1,100 to Board of Health budget to fulfill request by Board of Health.

40. VOTED:  6-2-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller.  Against:  Gladstone, Goodman.

41. The total Finance Committee budgets were $452,377, 2% increase.

42. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Ira Miller to allocate $452,377 to the Finance Committee budgets.

43. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Philips.

44. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend the Board of Selectmen’s budget as presented.

45. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Philips.

46. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Gordon Gladstone to recommend the School Department’s budget as presented.

47. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Philips.

48. Article 2, Special within the Annual, Supplemental appropriation for school.  Jon Hitter stated that Article 21, May ’09, $223,000 was backed out of recommendation.  Voted on wrong number.  Allocate $223,000 to be spent in current period.

49. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Gordon Gladstone to recommend Article 2, supplemental appropriation for school capital projects, in the Special within the Annual by reallocating funds in the amount of $223,000.

50. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Philips.

51. Annual Meeting.

52. Article 1.  Finance Committee Members.  No names of members.  Two existing and a third new.  Information on Monday.

53. Article 2.  Act Upon Reports.  Pro forma.

54. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend Article 2.

55. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Philips.

56. Article 3.  Addition to Stabilization Fund.  Placeholder.  Hold until Monday.

57. Article 4.  Personnel By-law.  Hold until Monday.

58. Article 5.  Budget/Compensation of Elected Officers.  Maria will update the master sheet recap.  Will take vote on Monday.

59. Article 6.  Norfolk County Retirement.  $2,325,188.

60. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Gordon Gladstone to recommend Article 6 in the amount of $2,325,188.

61. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Philips.

62. Article 7.  Unemployment.

63. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend Article 7.

64. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Philips.

65. Article 8.  Sharon Friends School Fund records and appointments.  Pro forma.  Hold until Monday.

66. Article 9.  Annual Audit.

67. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Don Gilligan to recommend Article 9 in the amount of $52,100.

68. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Philips.

69. Article 13.  Zoning by-law to allow for for-profit recreational use at Sacred Heart Property.  Wait for Planning Board hearing on April 14.

70. Article 14.  Change in use for the Sacred Heart Property.  Allows to add word recreation to Parcel F.

71. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Ted Philips to reconsider Article 14.

72. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Philips.

73. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend Article 14.

74. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Philips.

75. Article 15.  Long-term lease for Sacred Heart Property.  In excess of ten years.  Heard some discussion at previous meeting.  Got new information.  Hold until Monday.  Recommend at town meeting.

76. Article 16.  Horizons for Youth Property Conservation Restriction Conveyance.  Voted to recommend.

77. Article 17.  Authorize the Board of Selectmen to negotiate and enter into a written agreement and/or modify certain terms and conditions contained in the Waste Acquisition Agreement.  Recommend at Town Meeting.

78. Hold Capital Outlay articles until Monday.

79. Article 19.  Veterans’ Exemption.

80. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to recommend Article 19.

81. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Giligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Philips.

82. Article 20.  Community Preservation Committee Annual Funding-Administrative Expenses and Other Items.  Recommend Sharon Housing Authority, Indefinite Postponement Affordable Housing, Recommend Administrative Expenses.

83. Article 21.  Revolving Funds Reauthorizations.

84. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Don Gilligan to recommend omnibus revolving funds except for G, Recreation.

85. Hold Recreation for more information.

86. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Philips.

87. There was a suggestion to have Andy Nebenzahl for the April 12^th meeting to discuss the Charter.

88. Ben Puritz stated that $175,000 was the amount on Snow and Ice deficit.  The DPW may have exceeded that but not making any change.

89. There will be a Library request for Reserve Fund Transfer.  No Legal.

90. There was some discussion regarding the Reserve Fund and availability of funds.

91. The next meeting will be April 5.

92. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

93. VOTED:  9-0-0.

94. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.