Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – November 8, 2012

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

Members Present:  William Brack, Arnold Cohen, Brian Fitzgerald, Gordon Gladstone, Charles

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

                Absent:   Jacqueline Modiste

1. The first item on the agenda was Article 5.  Funding for High School track.

2. Brian Fitzgerald reported on the Capital Outlay meeting that the vote on the track was deferred until next week.  The amount was $165,000.

3. Ken Wertz gave information on what had happened to the track and that the firm that did the resurfacing felt some responsibility so they would not charge the $85,000 for labor.  The Town was to pay for the materials in the amount of $165,000.  If it went through litigation, it could cost more.

4. There was considerable discussion on this article.

5. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Laura Nelson to make a recommendation on Article 5.  Funding for High School track, at Town Meeting because information won’t be available before write-ups are due.

6. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Brack, Cohen, Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Nelson, Philips.

7. Ira Miller reported that the 40R article has been removed from the Warrant.  Due to questions raised at the Finance Committee, the proponents are not prepared to go before the Planning Board or Town Meeting.  We raised sufficient issues.  We preserved the ability to come before a future Town Meeting, maybe May, or another Special Meeting.

8. The next item on the agenda was to review the Warrant articles not yet voted on.

9. Article 1.  Abandon Johnson Drive for the purpose of relocating the road.

10. Article 2.  Rezoning to expand Light Industrial District.

11. Article 3.  Amending the sign by-law regarding permanent free standing sign dimensions.

12. Article 4.  Funding for the demolition of Sacred Heart.

13. Article 6.  Change of Special Permit Granting Authority.

14. Article 4 coming before Community Preservation Committee.  Canceled their meeting.

15. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Bill Brack to recommend Article 4 at Town Meeting.

16. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Brack, Cohen, Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Nelson, Philips.

17. Article 6.  Change of Special Permit Granting Authority.  Waiting for official Planning Board vote.

18. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Bill Brack to recommend Article 6 at Town Meeting.

19. There was some discussion on the motion.,

20. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Brack, Cohen, Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Nelson, Philips.

21. Ira Miller reported that the Selectmen will be meeting Nov. 9 and November 13 and taking positions on Articles 1, 2, and 3.  Originally scheduled for November 27, but that would be too late for the deadline for these articles.

22. There was some discussion regarding this information.

23. A MOTION was made by Laura Nelson and SECONDED by Gordon Gladstone to recommend Article 1 at Town Meeting.

24. There was considerable discussion on the motion.

25. VOTED:  8-0-1.  For:  Brack, Cohen, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Nelson, Philips.  Abstain:  Fitzgerald.

26. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Gordon Gladstone to recommend Article 2 at Town Meeting.

27. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Brack, Cohen, Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Nelson, Philips.

28. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Gordon Gladstone to recommend Article 3 at Town Meeting.

29. There was considerable discussion on the motion.

30. VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Brack, Cohen, Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Nelson, Philips.

31. Laura Nelson left the meeting at 9:40 p.m.

32. There was continued discussion on the High School track.  Bill Fowler gave financial information indicating this would be in the budget for debt service for FY’14.

33. Regarding Article 12. New dental amalgam general by-law where the vote was 3-3, the Board of Health was meeting tonight and information should be available tomorrow.

34. The next meeting will be Thursday, November 15.

35. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

36. VOTED:  8-0-0.

37. The meeting was adjourned at 10 p.m.