Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – June 27, 2011

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

Members Present:  William Brack, Arnold Cohen (late), Gordon Gladstone, Charles

                               Goodman, Alexander Korin, Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Jacqueline

                               Modiste, Laura Nelson (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Brian Fitzgerald, Josh Kiernan

1. The first item on the agenda was DPW Superintendent, Eric Hooper, requesting a Reserve Fund Transfer for Snow & Ice.

2. Eric Hooper stated that he was requesting $307,192 to cover overruns primarily due to Snow & Ice with a FEMA reimbursement in the projected amount of $55,000.

3. There was considerable discussion regarding how the amount was figured, overtime, and need for new equipment due to the difficult winter.

4. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Bill Brack for a Reserve Fund Transfer to the Department of Public Works in the amount of $307,192 for the Snow and Ice and Road Machinery Accounts.

5. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Brack, Cohen, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Lessard, Miller, Modiste, Nelson.

6. The next item on the agenda was the new Town Moderator, David Yas.  The Finance Committee wanted to talk to him about his plans as Moderator.

7. David Yas spoke about his background having grown up in Sharon, a graduate of Pennsylvania Law School, fifteen years at Lawyers Weekly where he ran monthly editorial meetings, and now, a Financial Advisor for Bernstein.  He became involved as Moderator because of Bill Heitin, has been in Sharon for fourteen years, and is married with two children.

8. There were many suggestions and exchange of ideas regarding the Town Meeting and how to have more people come to Town Meeting.

9. The question about the Finance Committee Nominating Committee regarding a letter to the editor about the interview process and if the Finance Committee should be responding, was brought up to the new Moderator.  The Moderator felt this should be addressed by the Moderator.

10. Joel Lessard reported on his attendance at the Board of Selectmen’s last meeting regarding the Finance Committee’s role in collective bargaining.  The Selectmen’s view was as an advisory role.

11. There was some discussion on this topic.

12. Ira Miller announced that the Massachusetts Town Finance Committees, in October, would be having workshops and speakers, and one topic he suggested was on collective bargaining.

13. Herb Gould, a resident, was at the meeting and spoke on his views about what the Finance Committee could do to help the residents understand what they are voting on and how to attract people to come to Town Meeting.  He stated what he expected from the Finance Committee was strategic outlook with data on the basis he could make a reasonable choice when he voted.

14. There was some discussion that the recommendations should be based on sufficient knowledge.

15. Chuck Goodman made a request to Town Counsel to look at the School’s right to charge people for Kindergarten; or whether we want to pay for them.  There was no written response.

16. There was some discussion regarding a request by the Accounting Department for a breakdown of the Finance Committee sector’s budgets.

17. Laura Nelson left the meeting at 9:35 p.m.

18. The next meeting will be July 11.

19. Some suggestions for the next meeting:  (1) Get involved with budget early.  (2) Same format.  (3) Get in sync with what the Selectmen’s sector is doing.  (4) Milestone calendar.

20. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

21. VOTED:  8-0-0.

22. The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.