Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – March 5, 2012

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

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

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

                               Modiste, Laura Nelson (Hamilton)

1. Ben Puritz answered questions from the previous meeting:  (1) regarding accident data and domestic violence pertaining to towns that have granted alcohol licenses.  Suggestion to ask Chief Bernstein at next meeting.  (2) revenue associated with alcohol license.  Not from revenue but from fees, all alcohol, $750 to $2,000; pouring, $2,000 to $8,000.  (3) establishments affected by reduction of seats from 50 to 18 would be three establishments:  Charlie’s Deli, French Memory, and Pizza Market.  (4) address Attorney General’s concern and cross-reference town’s By-Law.  Police Chief was interested in having people in field subject to fingerprinting and CORI check.  (5) Recreation Revolving Fund.  Will come up with budget presentation.  (6) Memorial Park.  What is proper name?  It was voted both ways, Veterans Memorial Park and Memorial Park.  Five votes taken between 1946 and 1948.  In 1946 most of the area was voted as Veterans Memorial Park.  Then motion passed to delete word veterans.  The main motion never achieved vote.  In 1948 added to park as Memorial Park.  Whether omission or typo.

2. The first item on the agenda was Peter O’Cain explaining the FEMA articles regarding the updated flood map.  Article 20.  Accept and adopt and implement FEMA Flood Map change.  Article 21.  Revise flood plain by-law to adjust for FEMA Flood Map change.

3. There was some discussion on these articles.

4. Article 18.  Purchase of Diesso Property for $10,000 – for Water Department purposes.

5. Peter O’Cain reported on this issue.  When the town installed Wolomolopoag Bridge, the property was split in half.  The landowner has been paying taxes on that lot and he would like the town to buy for $10,000.  It was appraised for $8,000.  Homeowner wants higher amount.  Town has taxed at higher rate.  Next to wellhead buffer.  Only parcel near well 6.  Water Department thinks worthwhile purchase.  No easement.

6. There was considerable discussion on this article and a number of abutters expressed concern that the land would be used for cell tower purposes.

7. Ben Puritz stated that at the next meeting of the Board of Selectmen on March 20, they will adopt a position on the article.  No other purpose than protection of well.

8. The next item on the agenda was the Selectmen’s sector budgets.  Ben Puritz gave an overview.

9. There was much discussion on the budget.

10. The next item on the agenda was Brett McGown, Recreation Director.  He presented budget summary and line item.

11. There was some discussion on the Recreation Department’s budget and better use of the Community Center ballroom for more revenue.

12. The next item on the agenda was Eric Hooper, Superintendent, DPW, on his budget.

13. Laura Nelson and Bill Brack left the meeting at 10:10 p.m.

14. Gordon Gladstone left the meeting at 10:15 p.m.

15. There was considerable discussion on the DPW budget.

16. Brian Fitzgerald left at 10:30 p.m.

17. Eric Hooper was to come back on March 19 for the Water Department budget.

18. The next meeting will be on March 12, 2012.

19. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

20. VOTED:  6-0-0.

21. The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 p.m.