Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – September 27, 2010
Town Hall, Lower Level Hearing Room, 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Maria Anderson, William Brack, Brian Fitzgerald (late), Keith Garte,
Charles Goodman, Josh Kiernan, Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Laura
Nelson (Hamilton)
Absent: Gordon Gladstone, Edward Philips
1. First item on the agenda was to meet with two candidates for the open position on the Finance Committee.
2. Christian Greve was the first candidate to be interviewed. He had just moved to Sharon two months ago and plans to live here for a long while. He has degree in Political Science; minored in Economics. Also interested in the Conservation Commission and the Historical Commission.
3. The Committee asked a number of questions regarding how the town would benefit if he was on the committee, occupation, other committees applied to, and number of jobs since college. He stated he had a different perspective as a resident of Avalon Bay.
4. Alexander Korin was the next candidate to be interviewed.
5. He goes to meetings and has a good understanding what Finance Committee is doing. He has experience and general knowledge in different areas. He has been in this country for nine years and in Sharon since 2003. He is a software engineer, worked for same company eight or nine years, and designed computer system for Charter Commission. He has two children in the Middle School. He has a number of ideas for the committee.
6. The next item on the agenda was appointment with Ben Puritz and Bill Fowler. Two main things to discuss. (1): Budget memorandum. (2): Town Warrant articles.
7. Ben Puritz discussed the Warrant articles.
8. Eric Hooper, Superintendent of DPW, was there to discuss the landfill change of use article pertaining to solar power and long term lease.
9. There was considerable discussion on this article including information from Silas Fyler, Co-Chair, Energy Advisory Committee. Eric Hooper described the different components in the article, what having solar power would entail, and the savings to the town by purchasing power at lower rates. Possibly worth $100,000 a year to the town in energy savings. The Board of Selectmen would need to petition the Legislature to change use. Eric Hooper and Silas Fyler to come to another meeting with more information.
10. Ben Puritz stated that tomorrow night the Selectmen will sign Warrant to adopt preliminary position on nine articles.
11. There was discussion on the change to the Sign By-law, Article 3. Town Counsel was to be asked to come to next meeting for clarification.
12. Bill Fowler, Finance Director, discussed Article 4, Accepting deeds in lieu of foreclosure for various properties. Four parcels on list. Only way to do it at no cost is to do deeds of no foreclosure, take off books and clearly delineated who owns property. Needs vote at Town Meeting. $40 in filing fees per parcel.
13. Article 5. Transfer sale proceeds from Glenview Road home sale from Community Preservation Fund to Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
14. Bill Fowler stated there was a typo, Glendale is Glenview. Property on Glenview. Affordable housing. Go back to Affordable Housing Trust. Have to put back into CPC. To put back into Affordable Housing Trust need a vote from Town Meeting.
15. There was some discussion on what was to be done with the proceeds. Intent to replenish the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to pursue additional affordable housing. There will be a check on what the vote was.
16. Article 6. Transfer portion of Community Preservation Fund revenues to Debt and Interest Budgets.
17. Bill Fowler stated ongoing article in May. Standard to raise and appropriate for known CPC and CPC portion of the debt service. Should have been last May. Will be every May until CPC debt is paid.
18. Article 7. Reduce the Debt and Interest Budgets.
19. Bill Fowler stated $438,000 raised and appropriated at May Town Meeting. We didn’t issue bond. Waiting for Middle School, take all items together. No rates going up.
20. There was some discussion on this article.
21. Article 8. Funding for High School Roof Replacement – contingent upon MSBA approval.
22. There was some discussion regarding this article and that this was for design work for the roof. For potential MSBA money, need to have project management. Taking from prior year, adding Project Manager along with design service.
23. Article 9. Changes to the by-law that would result in the discretion of the Selectmen to not call for a Fall Town Meeting.
24. One By-law change was from shall to may.
25. There was some discussion on Article 9 if this change was made, when would the Selectmen decide to not have the Fall Town Meeting?
26. There was a question about the Finance Committee sector for budget purposes. The Committee discussed taking formal action but have tabled it for now and will discuss after the Spring Town Meeting.
27. The next item on the agenda was coordination in budgets and Budget Memo. Selectmen budget, level funded with 2%. Question why the Primary isn’t level funded.
28. There was much discussion on the budget with Selectmen’s budget being a bottom line budget. Selectmen sector going with a level funded option with a built in salary increase of 2%.
29. Ben Puritz stated that he would meet with representatives of Finance Committee, Chair and Vice Chair, for informal discussion before sending out memo next year.
30. Bill Fowler reported that the Audit of Vehicles was not finished. Still working on it. To be updated annually.
31. There was some discussion on potential sites for waste water treatment plant regarding center of town.
32. Ben Puritz reported that the construction at Horizons for Youth was the Administration Building being renovated for preschool. Major construction for dining facility. Some use by the Camp Massapoag Recreation program in certain areas there.
33. Ira: The update on Brickstone was that the Selectmen are waiting for further word from principals on their plans going forward.
34. Ben Puritz reported on Sharon Commons. Last Wednesday they were before Zoning Board of Appeals. That program is moving forward. Reviews by Design Committee. They have a working date of opening of anchor stores by March 2012, Target and B.J.’s. Going through a review of the modified plan with the Board of Appeals.
35. Brian Fitzgerald’s son, an Eagle Scout candidate, will present a flag ceremony at Gavins Pond for World War II veterans on Saturday morning at 10 a.m.
36. Planning Board vote on Monday, October 4, on Article 1, P.O. Square Re-zoning.
37. Due to October 11 holiday, the Finance Committee will meet Thursday, October 14, to discuss Warrant articles and meet with Planning Board.
38. Laura Nelson left the meeting at 9:55 p.m.
39. The next meeting will be October 4, 2010.
40. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
41. VOTED: 8-0-0.
42. The meeting adjourned at 11 p.m.