Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes, March 26, 2012

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

Members Present:  Arnold Cohen, Brian Fitzgerald, Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman, Alexander

                               Korin, Ira Miller, Laura Nelson (Hamilton)

                Absent:   William Brack, Joel Lessard, Jacqueline Modiste

1.  In Joel Lessard’s absence, Ira Miller ran the meeting.

2. The first appointment was late so a discussion was started on the Warrant articles.

3. Article 23.  Creation of an Adult Use Zoning District in order to prevent the forcible location of adult uses in inappropriate locations (Planning Board).

4. There was some discussion on this article regarding the wording substantial or significant and the percentage number 20% or 25%.  The Planning Board voted, 3-0.

5. The first item on the agenda was Paul Linehan, Chair, of Capital Outlay.

6. Paul Linehan gave an overview of what Capital Outlay had done.  Voting was unanimous except for one dissent on the DPW trailer replacement.

7. There was considerable discussion on these Capital Outlay articles.

8. The next item on the agenda was Corey Snow, Chair, Community Preservation Committee.

9. Article 17.  Community Preservation Committee Annual Funding – Administrative Expenses and Articles.

10. Corey Snow presented an FY’13 overview.  These are estimated numbers.  Matching 22%.  $200,000 payment on Horizons for Youth.  Five year bond.  Last of five year payment.  Appropriate debt service, land purchases, and regular operating budget.  10% allocation for Community Preservation Act; required to spend or reserve 10% open space, historic, and housing.

11. There was some discussion on this article.  The Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously in favor of appropriation.  Another vote to be taken at their Thursday meeting was required to make it complete and then to be reported to the Finance Committee.

12. The next item was continuation of Warrant articles of those just presented.

13. A MOTION was made by Chuck Goodman and SECONDED by Brian Fitzgerald to recommend approval of Article 13, Capital Outlay.

14. There was some discussion on the motion.

15. Ben Puritz arrived at the meeting at 9:15 p.m.

16. VOTED:  7-0-0.  For:  Cohen, Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Nelson.

17. Article 17.  Community Preservation Committee Annual Funding – Administrative Expenses and Articles.  Deferred until the Thursday, March 29, meeting.

18. Article 16.  Veterans’ Exemption.  Bill Fowler had information on this article.

19. There was some discussion held.

20. A MOTION was made by Chuck Goodman and SECONDED by Alex Korin to recommend approval of Article 16.

21. VOTED:  7-0-0.  For:  Cohen, Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Nelson.

22. The next item was the Special Articles.

23. Special Article 3.  Reallocations on money left over from prior borrowings.

24. There was some discussion on this article with Bill Fowler giving an explanation.

25. A MOTION was made by Chuck Goodman and SECONDED by Arnie Cohen to recommend approval of Special Article 3.

26. VOTED:  7-0-0.  For:  Cohen, Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Nelson.

27. Special Article 4.  Debt Budget Appropriations.

28. Laura Nelson left the meeting at 10 p.m.

29. There was considerable discussion on this article.  No vote was taken.

30. The next meeting will be on March 29, 2012.

31. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

32. VOTED:  6-0-0.

33. The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 p.m.