Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – October 13, 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

1. The first item on the agenda was to approve minutes of prior meetings.

2. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Bill Brack to accept the minutes of June 27, 2011.

3. VOTED:  7-0-1.  For:  Brack, Goodman, Korin, Lessard, Miller, Modiste, Nelson.  Abstain:  Gladstone

4. A MOTION was made by Laura Nelson and SECONDED by Bill Brack to accept the regular session minutes of July 11, 2011.

5. VOTED:  6-0-3.  For:  Brack, Goodman, Lessard, Miller, Modiste, Nelson.  Abstain:  Cohen, Gladstone, Korin.

6. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Arnie Cohen to accept the executive session minutes of July 11, 2011.

7. VOTED:  6-0-3.    For:  Brack, Goodman, Lessard, Miller, Modiste, Nelson.  Abstain:  Cohen, Gladstone, Korin.

8. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Arnie Cohen to accept the regular session minutes of August 1, 2011.

9. VOTED:  4-0-5.  For:  Cohen, Lessard, Miller, Modiste.  Abstain:  Brack, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Nelson.

10. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Arnie Cohen to accept the executive session minutes of August 1, 2011.

11. VOTED:  4-0-5.  For:  Cohen, Lessard, Miller, Modiste.  Abstain:  Brack, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Nelson.

12. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Arnie Cohen to accept the regular session minutes of August 15, 2011.

13. VOTED:  5-0-4.  For:  Cohen, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Modiste.  Abstain:  Brack, Gladstone, Lessard, Nelson.

14. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Arnie Cohen to accept the executive session minutes of August 15, 2011.

15. VOTED:  5-0-4.  For:  Cohen, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Modiste.  Abstain:  Brack, Gladstone, Lessard, Nelson.

16. A MOTION was made by Bill Brack and SECONDED by Laura Nelson to accept the minutes of September 12, 2011.

17. VOTED:  7-0-2.  For:  Brack, Cohen, Korin, Lessard, Miller, Modiste, Nelson.  Abstain:  Gladstone, Goodman.

18. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Alex Korin to accept the minutes of September 19, 2011.

19. VOTED:  7-0-2.  For:  Cohen, Goodman, Korin, Lessard, Miller, Modiste, Nelson.  Abstain:  Brack, Gladstone.

20. A MOTION was made by Arnie Cohen and SECONDED by Bill Brack to accept the minutes of September 2 6, 2011.

21. VOTED:  6-0-3.  For:  Brack, Cohen, Goodman, Korin, Lessard, Modiste.  Abstain:  Gladstone, Miller, Nelson.

22. The next item on the agenda was to go over Article 2. Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund - To accept voluntary donations to assist low income, elderly and disabled, pay their property taxes, with Bill Fowler, Norma Fitzgerald, and Rob Maidman.

23. There was much discussion and many suggestions on how to implement this article if accepted.

24. The next item on the agenda was Article 13.  Authorization to borrow for water department projects.  Eric Hooper, Superintendent, DPW; Bill Fowler, Finance Director; some members of the Water Management Advisory Committee and David Crosby, Chair, were present.

25. Eric Hooper spoke regarding background of this article and how the budget was approved in November 2010, and March 2011, but the article was left off the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting in May 2011, to vote for the appropriation.  The project is already underway.

26. There was considerable discussion on the Water Department projects of pipe replacement and road work.  The original cost was $925,000 less $60,000 already appropriated for interest for a twenty-year borrowing of $820,000.

27. There was some discussion on the water rate increase.  Average bill going up $150.  Average bill would be $300.  The last increase was two years ago.  Increase six years before that.

28. There was some discussion on the Oakland Road article.  More information was needed.

29. Arnie Cohen reported on the Planning Board votes.  Article 3. Zoning by-law change – New definition of Assisted Living Facilities.  3-1-1.  Article 5.  Zoning by-law change – P.O. Square Uses, Site Plan approval and Definition.  5-0-0 in favor.  Article 6.  Zoning by-law change – P.O. Square Dimensional Standards.  4-1-0.  Article 7.  Zoning by-law change – Off-street Parking and Loading.  4-0-1.  Article 8.  Zoning by-law change – P.O. Square Affordable Housing.  May pull.  Article 9.  Amend scenic road by-law to include a $300 fine for each violation.  5-0-0.  Article 12.  Zoning by-law change – Lot Shape.  5-0-0.

30. The next item on the agenda was to appoint a member for Standing Building Committee Selection Committee.

31. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Chuck Goodman to appoint Arnie Cohen to the Standing Building Selection Committee.

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

33. The next item was to vote on as many articles as possible.

34. Article 2.  Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund – To accept voluntary donations to assist low income elderly and disabled pay their property taxes.

35. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Gordon Gladstone to recommend Article 2.

36. There was some discussion on the motion.

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

38. Article 10.  Rescind authorizations to borrow on assorted items.

39. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Bill Brack to recommend Article 10.

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

41. Article 13.  Authorization to borrow for water department projects.

42. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Bill Brack to recommend Article 13 to borrow in the amount of $820,000.

43. VOTED:  8-0-1.  For:  Brack, Cohen, Gladstone, Korin, Lessard, Miller, Modiste, Nelson.  Abstain:  Goodman.

44. Article 14.  Accept local motel/hotel rooms tax.

45. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Bill Brack to recommend Article 14.

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

47. Article 15.  Community Preservation Funding Request – Purchase Antique Fire Truck.

48. A MOTION was made by Bill Brack and SECONDED by Arnie Cohen to recommend Article 15 in the amount of $30,000.

49. There was much discussion on the motion.

50. VOTED:  7-2-0.  For:  Brack, Cohen, Goodman, Korin, Lessard, Modiste, Nelson.  Against:  Gladstone, Miller.

51. Article 16.  To accept deeds in lieu of foreclosing on certain parcels.

52. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Chuck Goodman to recommend Article 16.

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

54. The next meeting will be on October 17, 2011, to continue deliberating and voting.

55. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

56. VOTED:  9-0-0.

57. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.