Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes—March 21, 2011

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

Members Present:  Maria Anderson, William Brack, Gordon Gladstone, Charles

                               Goodman, Josh Kiernan, Alexander Korin, Joel Lessard, Ira Miller,

                               Laura Nelson, Edward Philips (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Brian Fitzgerald, Keith Garte

1. The first item on the agenda was the School Department’s FY’12 budget.  Dr. Barbara Dunham, Superintendent; Timothy Farmer, Assistant Superintendent; Sue Owen, Business Manager, were present.

2. Dr. Dunham went over the budget and explained the different sections using 2.41%, the number from Priorities.

3. There was considerable discussion on this budget regarding busing, salaries, stipends, and revolving funds.

4. Laura Nelson left the meeting at 8:50 p.m.

5. The next item on the agenda was Capital Outlay.  Paul Linehan, Chair, made the presentation.

6. Paul Linehan reported on the items requested for funds from the Library, Police, Fire, Civil Defense, and School.  Because the high school needs a new roof, other school requests were deferred.  Total Capital requests were $5,120,481.

7. There was much discussion on this budget, borrowings, and the Capital pay down plan.

8. The next item on the agenda was to go over the Warrant articles.

9. Joel Lessard read the list of articles for the Annual Town Meeting.

10. There was some discussion and suggestions to have Laura Salomons come in for the Home Rule article and Dan Rosen for the Reuse of the Sacred Heart property.  Also Corey Snow for the three Community Preservation Committee articles.

11. There was more discussion regarding the Finance Committee presenting a 2% budget at Town Meeting.  There might be more information at the Priorities meeting tomorrow night.

12. Ira Miller reported that at the Association of Town Finance Committees meeting, the speaker was a lobbyist who gave a report.  Some things discussed were state aid.  It has a possibility of going down.  There might not be an increase in Circuit Breaker.  Chapter 90 money may be increased a bit.  There may be more unfunded mandates including lighting.  There will be less money to spend on fixing roads.  There are two health insurance plans, the Governor’s and one from Mayor Menino.  The speaker also said no taxes or fee increases through the House.  There will be another update in April

13. There may be a need for an extra meeting next week.

14. The next meeting will be Thursday, March 24.

15. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

16. VOTED:  9-0-0.

17. The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m.