Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – March 7, 2011

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

Members Present:  Maria Anderson, Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman, Josh Kiernan,

                               Alexander Korin, Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Laura Nelson, Edward

                               Philips (Hamilton)

                Absent:   William Brack, Brian Fitzgerald, Keith Garte

1. The first item on the agenda was the Town Clerk’s FY’12 budget with Marlene Chused, Town Clerk, making the presentation.

2. Marlene Chused explained that this was a level funded budget.  No salary adjustments.  Printing line compromised for $75.  Same as FY’11.  Option 1 salary adjustment for Town Clerk and Assistant Town Clerk, longevity and contractual agreement.  Another unfunded mandate, Registry of Vital Statistics.  Requires a two-sided printer.  $500 more.  The difference in money is $3,017.  $3,000 difference between level funded and maintenance of service.  She reported that the Clerk’s Office will no longer be allowed to process passports by order of the State Department as of May 1.  Unless another department can take this over, the town may be losing $18,500 in revenue.

3. There was much discussion on this budget.

4. The next item on the agenda was Chief Dennis Mann, Fire Department budget, with Ben Puritz and Bill Fowler also present.

5. Chief Mann presented the FY’12 maintenance level budget which included a 2% salary increase.

6. Ben Puritz stated that it is a consolidated budget as proposed and voted by Selectmen, based on the vote of Priorities.  Includes 2% increase.

7. There was considerable discussion on this budget and the Regional Central Dispatch.

8. Chief Mann responded to questions presented by the Finance Committee regarding schedules, hours, vacation and sick time, education and replacement equipment.

9. The next item on the agenda was discussion with Ben Puritz and Bill Fowler regarding the budget and scheduling rest of sector budgets.

10. There was considerable discussion regarding some Warrant articles and 2.41%, percentage allocated by the Priorities Committee.  Ben Puritz stated that the budget that is proposed, assuming revenue holds up, discussed at last Priorities meeting, would not add a dollar to anyone’s taxes and maintain services.  In FY’10 went down.  FY’11 went up 4.5%.  What the difference in town is revenue make-up of town.  Presents challenge to operating budget.  Is consistent with Priorities.  Would not add to taxes paid to town in FY’12.  Sharon only town not planning to access 2.5% by-law.

11. A schedule of meetings will take place on March 14, 21, 24, and 28.  Ben Puritz will arrange for the DPW, Police, Recreation Department, and Library to come in.  The School Department will be here on March 21.

12. The next meeting will be on March 14.

13. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

14. VOTED:  9-0-0.

15. The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 p.m.