Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – February 27, 2012
Town Hall, Lower Level Hearing Room, 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Arnold Cohen, Brian Fitzgerald, Charles Goodman, Alexander Korin, Joel
Lessard, Ira Miller, Jacqueline Modiste, Laura Nelson (Hamilton)
Absent: William Brack, Gordon Gladstone
1. The first item on the agenda was the Conservation Commission regarding a land purchase at 55 Richards Avenue through the Community Preservation Committee. Part of Article 16. Community Preservation Committee Annual Funding – Administrative Expenses and Articles.
2. Peg Arguimbau, Chair, Conservation Commission, presented an overview. $130,000 for land, $15,000 for legal fees and survey fees for conservation restriction. Protect well site from possible sub-division being built in the future. Greg Meister, Conservation Commission Administrator, and Corey Snow, Chair, Community Preservation Committee, also had input.
3. There was considerable discussion on this parcel and Corey Snow stated that the Community Preservation Committee would have available funds.
4. Corey Snow will return to the Finance Committee on March 26 after the Community Preservation Committee meeting on March 22 when the final vote on this property is taken. The CPC requires two votes.
5. Eric Hooper, Superintendent, DPW, also spoke on the merits of this purchase to protect a future well site.
6. Corey Snow stated that Article 16 is one article with four things to vote on: Appropriation for land purchase, annual administrative budget, Horizons for Youth debt, and setting aside of 10% reserves for three mandated purposes: Open Space, Housing, Historical.
7. The next item on the agenda was the appointment with Rob Maidman of the Council on Aging regarding Article 17. To allow eligible people who are homebound to participate in the work-off program by allowing another individual to take their place in the work-off program, that is on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant.
8. Rob Maidman spoke about some people in town that are eligible and qualify for work-off but are unable to perform the activity. If they can find a proxy, we can give the qualified person the exemption.
9. There was some discussion on this article. Rob Maidman would get information on question of Worker’s Compensation for proxy.
10. The next item on the agenda was Ben Puritz, Town Administrator, to discuss Warrant articles for the Annual Town Meeting.
11. Ben Puritz spoke about Article 14. Requires second hand shops for the purchase, sale or barter of certain metals, jewelry, second hand articles and electronics to obtain a license issued by the Board of Selectmen, a program for resellers of jewelry so stolen jewelry doesn’t get melted. Also question regarding Sacred Heart’s status which is now not on the Warrant. To be checked out.
12. Bill Fowler spoke on the Special Articles. Article 1. Request that funds from prior year’s encumbrance be set aside for use on the FY 2014 Revaluation. (Board of Assessors). First one repeat of last year’s unused money. Try to make continuing approvals. Revaluation every third year. Put in each year’s budget. Took unused portion from FY’10 and rolled into FY’11. The state had too many people in one year. Have four year cycle instead of three. Next evaluation in FY’14.
13. Article 2. Article to rescind capital borrowing authorized at Town Meeting/never borrowed. Vote to authorize vote to rescind. Article 3. Reallocations from money left over from prior borrowings.
14. Article 4. Debt Budget Appropriations. Use as much of that money to lower debt budget.
15. Some discussion on these articles. Need to have Finance Director back to discuss amount of money on the Special Articles.
16. Article 2. Permit all Alcohol package stores in certain districts: Shaw’s, Sharon Commons, and Route 1, and Article 3. Lessen number of seats for on-premises liquor licenses in certain districts. Proposed to providing all alcohol licenses in business district D, Shaw’s Plaza. May grant licenses not to be drunk on premises. Four is maximum available to town without special legislation. Dropping number of seats to help foster business development in town.
17. There was considerable discussion on these alcohol related articles.
18. There was discussion on the status of the Police Department on the CORI item.
19. The Attorney General stated it should be cross-referenced in the by-law.
20. Article 21. Recreation Advisory Committee – Re-evaluate purpose, number of members, etc.
21. Ben Puritz stated to reflect the scope and functioning of this committee. Amend the vote taken in 1968 to establish a charge known as Recreation Advisory Committee. Sets forth committee currently appointed. Eight members and two ex officio representatives of town and Town Administrator. Original committee was five.
22. Gordon Gladstone sent a note regarding the Community Center to market the ballroom.
23. Ben Puritz stated that the Advisory Committee is in the process of considering this.
24. There was much discussion on the use of the Community Center.
25. The next item regarded Article 22.to ban dogs from Veteran’s Memorial Park and Beach, the correct name of Memorial Beach, and the geese and snow fence. Some new devices are easier to use and may be as effective.
26. There was some discussion on the Stabilization Fund.
27. The next meeting will be March 5, 2012.
28. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
29. VOTED: 8-0-0.
30. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.