Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – July 9, 2012

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

Members Present:  Arnold Cohen, Brian Fitzgerald, Charles Goodman (late), Gordon Gladstone,

                               Alexander Korin, Ira Miller, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips, (Hamilton)

               Absent:   William Brack, Jacqueline Modiste

1. First item on the agenda was to approve minutes.

2. Arnold Cohen made a correction to the minutes of June 18 at paragraph 29 by changing the word “concluded” to “achieved.”

3. A MOTION was made by Arnold Cohen and SECONDED by Ted Philips to approve the minutes of June 18, 2012, as corrected.

4. VOTED:  6-0-1.  For:  Cohen, Fitzgerald, Korin, Miller, Nelson, Philips.  Abstain:  Gladstone.

5. The next item on the agenda was Mark Mazur, Administrative Assessor, to explain about the tax rate.

6. Mark Mazur explained the basic understanding how tax rate works.  Tax rate is calculated by taking tax levy and total assessed taxable value to get a median.  Raising the assessed value, lowers the tax rate.  Lower the assessed value and that raises the tax rate.  Having a lower assessed value would generate fewer abatements.  The Board of Assessors was looking for the  median.  This was the lowest median ever at .91, therefore, the highest tax rate in the state.

7. There was considerable discussion on this topic.  The Board of Assessors will be looking for a median percentage to be in the mid-90s.

8. The next item on the agenda was the Reserve Fund Transfer for Zoning Board of Appeals.

9. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Arnie Cohen to approve Reserve Fund Transfer for Zoning Board of Appeals in the amount of $8,314 for legal expenses as well as administrative salary.

10. VOTED:  7-0-1.  For:  Cohen, Fitzgerald, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Nelson, Philips.  Abstain:  Gladstone.

11. The next item on the agenda was Finance Committee liaisons.

12. Board of Selectmen:  the Chair works as liaison.  Ira Miller; DPW:  Gordon Gladstone; Conservation Commission:  Gordon Gladstone; Public Safety:  Civil Defense, Police, Fire.  Ted Philips:  Police.  Alex Korin:  Fire and Civil Defense; Planning Board:  Arnie Cohen; Zoning Board of Appeals:  Chuck Goodman; Board of Health:  Jackie Modiste; Capital Outlay:  Brian Fitzgerald, Gordon Gladstone; Town Clerk:  Alex Korin; Priorities:  Ira Miller, Chuck Goodman; School Committee:  Bill Brack; Capital Building:  Gordon Gladstone; Library:  Jackie Modiste.

13. The next item on the agenda was a demonstration of the Finance Committee website.

14. Ira Miller stated that we will the find the website useful for committee business, and residents will find a way to stay in touch with the business of this committee.

15. Alex Korin gave a demonstration of the Finance Committee’s new website that he designed.  He presented information about what will be on the website and what is on there now, such as Town Meeting information and other meetings.

16. A suggestion was made to have an editorial page for articles like the one that was in the Sharon Advocate in the past.

17. There was much discussion regarding the website, and the committee was in consensus to continue with it.

18. Laura Nelson left the meeting at 9:30 p.m.

19. There was some discussion regarding other communities’ financial issues, staggered contracts, water rate calculation, and to comment about tax rates on the website.

20. Agenda items:  Update and review of health insurance program and Health Care Trust Fund.  An update on Norfolk County Retirement from Bill Fowler.

21. The next meeting will be July 23, 2012.

22. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

23. VOTED:  7-0-0.

24. The meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.