Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes, February 7, 2011

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

Members Present:  Maria Anderson, William Brack, Brian Fitzgerald, Gordon Gladstone,

                               Charles Goodman, Alexander Korin (late), Joel Lessard, Ira Miller,

                               Edward Philips (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Keith Garte, Josh Kiernan, Laura Nelson

1. The first item on the agenda was the School Committee and Dr. Dunham to present a preliminary FY’12 budget.

2. Dr. Barbara Dunham reported that they had two versions of the budget.  A 2% budget increase would require cuts.  2.4% budget would be needed for a Maintenance of Effort budget.  Circuit Breaker being reinstated would help towards contingency.

3. There was considerable discussion regarding busing, whole day kindergarten, enrollment, class size, stipends, and Special Education.

4. The next item on the agenda was budgets in general for FY’12.

5. It was stated that the Selectmen’s budget was level funded but included a 2% salary increase.

6. There was some discussion on that budget.

7. The next item was the increase in property taxes.

8. There was considerable discussion on not raising taxes, but the revenues were not available and the committee was concerned about sustainability.

9. Budget Team to review budgets:  Board of Selectmen:  Alex and Laura.  Public Works:  Gordon and Keith.  Fire and Police:  Ira and Josh.  School Committee:  Bill and Ted.  Library:  Maria and Chuck:  Finance Committee:  Joel and Brian.

10. The next meeting will be on February 28, 2011.  Start reviewing Finance Committee sector budgets.

11. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

12. VOTED:  9-0-0.

13. The meeting was adjourned at 10 p.m.