Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – July 12, 2010
Town Hall, Lower Level Hearing Room, 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: William Brack, Brian Fitzgerald, Gordon Gladstone, Charles
Goodman, Josh Kiernan, Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Edward Philips
(Hamilton)
Absent: Keith Garte, Laura Nelson
1. The first item on the agenda was a Reserve Fund Transfer request from the Conservation Commission.
2. Greg Meister, Conservation Commission Administrator, explained that at the last meeting they asked for guidance. The Finance Committee asked for budget going forward. We asked for interim money. Now the state is providing some money. Very important to keep technical team together. State won’t pay for that. Asked for Reserve Fund Transfer for FY’11. The total request was $29,620.
3. There was considerable discussion regarding whether this Reserve Fund request was unforeseen or extraordinary. Finance Committee members think this should be in the operating budget and go to Fall Town Meeting for appropriation. Interim budget needed to keep technical team together. More discussion would be necessary, information from Bill Fowler, and how to pay for it.
4. The next item on the agenda was discussion of Town Meeting Timelines. Paul Bouton, Joe Roach, and Rich Powell attended the meeting.
5. Ira Miller reported on discussions by various groups of citizens in town since the Charter vote. Some items discussed were ways to improve Town Meeting. Most discussed were deadlines. Changes to Warrant articles and motions at Town Meeting with more time to digest final motion to be acted upon. Second item was time at Town Meeting, eliminate repetition.
6. There was considerable discussion regarding soft deadline, hard deadline, and self-imposed deadline. Some members stated they did not want a by-law to set a deadline. Selectman Powell opposed a hard deadline. Most of the deadline issues focus on outside groups, developers, and leases. Some consider Town Meeting the deadline. Suggestion that signing of Warrant should be deadline.
7. Joel Lessard spoke to Attorney Gelerman and he commented that we would be ill-advised to create a by-law to mandate how a deadline is set. He stated you could impose stricter guideline around certain types of information coming in.
8. Selectman Joe Roach suggested inviting each committee all at the same time. Have soft deadline. Selectmen, Finance Committee, Moderator, Planning Board, Conservation Commission. Town Counsel can attend to give legal reasons if town can’t have deadline.
9. There was discussion on the timeline schedule to try to have more time for printing recommendations in the Warrant. Only two weeks now. Suggestion to change to have three or four weeks.
10. There were comments and suggestions from residents attending the meeting. When new information is received just before Town Meeting, not enough time to understand fully. Present information to multiple boards and committees at same time instead of repeating many times.
11. There was a suggestion that if the Finance Committee doesn’t have information to make recommendation, they’ll support indefinite postponement.
12. There was no agreement on soft or hard deadline. Organize joint information with other boards and committees. Potential with Open Warrant and Selectmen. Use Finance Committee recommendations. Consider soft deadline around date recommendations are due.
13. Rich Powell stated that most important are: (1) Recommendations and (1A) Description. There is a tendency to do as always have done. Important to work to improve the process.
14. There was some discussion on how to move forward regarding hard or soft deadline, improving quality of information, joint meetings, and Open Warrant Meeting.
15. There was a suggestion to move signing of Warrant to have three weeks. If sufficient information isn’t ready at time of recommendation, would support indefinite postponement of article. Continue discussion on July 26 with Town Counsel.
16. NEW BUSINESS
17. Joel Lessard spoke to Gloria Rose, Chair of Finance Committee Nominating Committee, two weeks ago. She has one candidate for open slot. Maria Anderson has agreed she would come back for one year spot.
18. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Ted Philips to appoint Maria Anderson to one of the vacant slots being a one year term for the current term.
19. VOTED: 7-0-0. For: Brack, Gladstone, Goodman, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Philips. Brian Fitzgerald had left the meeting at 9:30 p.m.
20. Joel Lessard stated that there was a request for dues for Association of Town Finance Committees. No increase from last year.
21. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Gordon Gladstone to pay the annual dues to the Association of Town Finance Committees in the amount of $231.
22. VOTED: 7-0-0. For: Brack, Gladstone, Goodman, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Philips.
23. The next meeting will be on July 26, 2010.
24. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
25. VOTED: 7-0-0.
26. The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m.