Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – June 28, 2010

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

Members Present:  William Brack, Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman, Josh Kiernan,

                               Joel Lessard, Ira Miller (Hamilton)

                Absent:  Brian Fitzgerald, Keith Garte, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips

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

2. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to approve the minutes of May 17, 2010.

3. VOTED:  5-0-1.  For:  Brack, Goodman, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller.  Abstain:  Gladstone.

4. The minutes of June 14, 2010, will be voted on at the next meeting.

5. The next item on the agenda was a slide presentation of an update on the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp.

6. Greg Meister, Conservation Commission Administrator announced that the State had committed to tens of thousands of dollars for this project.  They were just notified this month.

7. Aimlee Laderman and Peter Fletcher made the presentation on the update of the status of the Great Cedar Swamp.  Pamela Poloni, Biologist and Botanist on the team, could not attend this meeting.  Many studies had been done including mosquito control by Norfolk County Mosquito Control, analyze engineering design for this project, dynamics of flows in drainage ditch, elevations, monitor wells, measured peat along Amtrak at twelve feet thick, and need for a hydrologist for well data regenerating cedar stands in the swamp.  Main areas of concern were water flowing out, not in.  Flood and Drought Protection.  Storm water would flood this area.  Ground Water Monitoring Program.  Installed wells to study effects of drainage ditch.

8. There were many different groups included in planning meetings from Federal and State agencies.  Much advice was given and possibly future help.

9. There was considerable discussion held on the information presented.  A commitment of approximately $90,000 from the State Department of Environment was to be available for a survey, $10,000; hydrologist for ground water, $30,000; and some conceptual futures, $50,000.  Primary purpose to modify ditch.  In order to keep this team approximately $25,000 to $50,000 would be needed to fund the continuation of their work.

10. There was much discussion on how to further fund the work of this team.  Some suggestions were to put in operating budget or Reserve Fund Transfer.  Some members were opposed to Reserve Fund Transfer as this was not unforeseen.  The Conservation Commission was to prepare a budget and state what the use would be.  Suggestion to prepare budget for Fall Town Meeting and have a Warrant article for this.

11. The next item on the agenda was following up on Committee goals of FY’10 and future for FY’11.

12. There was a suggestion to discuss this with full committee present.

13. There was some discussion regarding two vacancies on the committee and that the Finance Committee Nominating Committee had some names to bring forward.

14. OLD BUSINESS

15. Joel Lessard reported on the Reserve Fund.  There was a note from Ben Puritz that he had nothing from the Selectmen.  Potential overrun from Zoning Board of Appeals.  Nothing pending at this time.

16. NEW BUSINESS

17. Regarding Open Meeting Law.  Marlene Chused sent guidelines and bullet points.  To put on agenda for future meeting.

18. Joel Lessard reported that Susan Price wanted to come to the Finance Committee regarding amendment to by-laws for center of town being brought forward in November.  She suggested August 9 for meeting date.

19. There was some discussion regarding meeting of July 12.  Confirmation from Ben Puritz, Joe Roach, and Rich Powell.  Moderator had been confirmed.  Discussion to begin at 8 p.m.  Better information to town.  Warrant articles.  Sub-members to put an outline of discussion together.  Some structure may get answers to concerns.  Some residents have expressed interest to come to the meeting.  Residents have been notified.  Town Counsel to be asked this week.

20. There was a suggestion to have the Town Clerk’s budget go to Selectmen.  Another suggestion was to give Selectmen sector all seven of the budgets:  Board of Health, Conservation Commission, Lake Management, Personnel, Planning Board, Town Clerk, and Zoning Board of Appeals.

21. The next meeting will be July 12.

22. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

23. VOTED:  6-0-0.

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