Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – March 12, 2012

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

Members Present:  Arnold Cohen, Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman, Alexander Korin, Joel Lessard,

                               Ira Miller, Jacqueline Modiste (late), Laura Nelson (Hamilton)

                Absent:   William Brack, Brian Fitzgerald

1. The first item on the agenda was Fire Chief James Wright who presented the Fire Department budget.

2. Chief Wright stated it was a level service budget and explained staffing, number of ambulance calls, and 2% increase plus 2% firefighters’ contract.

3. There was considerable discussion on the Fire Department budget.

4. Jim Davenport, President, Firefighters Union, asked if there was any agenda going into Executive Session?  He then suggested that the Finance Committee not go into Executive Session for collective bargaining.

5. Joel Lessard responded that Executive Session wasn’t something the Finance Committee has done regularly.  Before we went about it, we made inquiry to Town Counsel.  We went through due process.

6. The next item on the agenda was the Police Department budget with Chief Joseph Bernstein.

7. Chief Bernstein stated that the budget was status quo.  No capital funding because of grants so police vehicles were purchased.  The overall increase to budget $9,481 over level funding over last year.  Increases FY’13 over FY’12, $89,388 in salaries to maintain officers as in the past.  Reduces overtime.  All the energy items were increased.  Some increases for radio maintenance, computer maintenance, defibrillators for vehicles and motorcycles.  Not putting the boat in service.  Saving on that item.

8. There was much discussion on the Police Department budget.

9. Chief Bernstein indicated a need to fingerprint people who go door to door in the town.  Also discussion on article for Town Meeting regarding pawn shops and jewelry stores that deal with old pieces and updating the By-law.  More personnel would be needed when Sharon Commons was up and running and there would be a cost of $250,000 for four additional officers.  The Chief commented that package stores increase more domestic violence.

10. Chief Wright stated there was a projected shortfall of $45,000, and he may need a Reserve Fund Transfer.

11. Joel Lessard stated that a request for a Reserve Fund Transfer would be coming for legal items from another board.

12. Finance Committee sector budgets were received from the Board of Health and the Personnel Board.

13. The next meeting will be March 19, 2012.

14. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

15. VOTED:  8-0-0.

16. The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.