MEETING POSTED

NO QUORUM

Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – October 4, 2010

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

Members Present:  Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman (late), Josh Kiernan, Laura

                               Nelson, Edward Philips (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Maria Anderson, William Brack Brian Fitzgerald, Keith Garte, Joel

                               Lessard, Ira Miller

1. Josh Kiernan was acting Chair in Joel Lessard’s absence:  The first item on the agenda was discussion on Article 2, Change former landfill use from Recreation to General Municipal purposes to allow utility scale solar project.

2. Eric Hooper presented more information regarding the use of solar power at the landfill and described the formula used for a two megawatt generator in the town and how the net metering works.

3. There was considerable discussion involving the use by the town and the schools on the net metering.  Middle School, with a solar array on the roof, will have reimbursement from the MSBA.

4. Richard Gelerman, Town Counsel, was present to provide information on Article 2 that needs authorization to go forward.  Needs 2/3 vote.  Some discussion regarding long term lease agreement.

5. Alice Cheyer commented on the wording in the article regarding exact and general purposes.

6. Article 3.  Change sign by-law to comply with Attorney General’s recommendations.

7. Lisa Whelan, Attorney, Colleague of Town Counsel, explained what happened with the Sign By-Law.  Updated version was put in General By-Laws.  First part regarding flags.  Needed to define a flag.  Define difference between commercial message and non-commercial.  No permit for flag.  Has to be done equally.  Next part was fees.  Simplified language.  Can recoup costs but not for revenue.  Next part regarding all non-commercial, religious, charitable and political signs.  Protected speech.  Time period prior to event.  After event sign to be removed.  All signs need to be treated equally.

8. There was some discussion on this article.

9. Article 9.  Changes to the by-law that would result in the discretion of the Selectmen to not call for a Fall Town Meeting.

10. There was some discussion on this article regarding the date when the Selectmen need to say not having Fall Town Meeting.  Town Counsel stated no date listed as this would impose time limit.

11. Alice Cheyer questioned wording of Article 5, Transfer sale proceeds from Glenview Road home sale from Community Preservation Fund to Affordable Housing Trust Fund and Article 6, Transfer portion of Community Preservation Fund revenues to Debt and Interest Budgets.

12. Town Counsel will look into it and change on motion.

13. Chuck Goodman reported that the June 30, 2009, audit not completed.  A draft report has been issued.  Management letter has been issued.  No mention on what the cost of the waste water treatment plant would be in this report.  Close to $6M to $8M to do it.  Could be $10M or more by the time it is done.  Not much difference where the site would be in cost.  Comments were made at last meeting no tax increases for last three years.  Water rates increased twice in last three years.

14. The Sacred Heart Reuse Committee gave direct information report to Selectmen.  Reported sent out RFP.

15. The next meeting will be Thursday, October 14, 2010.

16. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

17. VOTED:  5-0-0.

18. The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.