Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – January 7, 2013

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

Members Present:  William Brack, Arnold Cohen (late), Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman, Alexander

                               Korin, Ira Miller, Edward Philips (Hamilton)

               Absent:   Brian Fitzgerald, Laura Nelson

1. The first item on the agenda was to review the Special Town Meeting.  There was some discussion regarding the Fall Town Meeting and the town having agreed with all Finance Committee recommendations.  There was also discussion on scheduling of meetings for review of articles.

2. The next item on the agenda was the upcoming budget.

3. Bill Brack had prepared some review questions for the committee.

4. There was much discussion on the 2% budget and an alternate FY’13 budget level and what the impact of each budget would be.  There was a suggestion to present two budgets.

5. There was discussion regarding the School budget.  The Finance Committee would review the School budget after the School’s Budget Forum was presented.  The Finance Committee indicated that the School’s quarterly budgets could be sent electronically with one to be printed.  The committee was to start reviewing their own sector budgets.

6. Upcoming items to discuss at future meetings will be Priorities report and follow up on insurance.  Finance Director Fowler to update the committee on health insurance.

7. Ted Philips indicated that a Special Commission has been delegated that includes some members of the Legislature, and Administration and Finance.  They will be coming up with a package of reforms, especially pensions, but this wouldn’t affect current retirees.  This may only affect state workers.

8. There was much discussion on wage and cost increases.

9. Gordon Gladstone suggested the Finance Committee sponsor two articles for the Warrant regarding the local options for meals and hotel room tax.

10. There was some discussion on this proposal.

11. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Alex Korin to raise the tax on meals by local option, allowable by state law, and to raise the room tax on hotels/motels by local option, allowable by state law.

12. VOTED:  7-0-0.  For:  Brack, Cohen, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Philips.

13. Ira Miller stated that the Finance Committee Nominating Committee is seeking applicants.

14. There was some discussion regarding the make-up of the Finance Committee.

15. The next item on the agenda was to vote on the minutes of previous meetings.

16. A MOTION was made by Alex Korin and SECONDED by Ted Philips to approve the minutes of September 24, 2012.

17. VOTED:  4-0-3.  For:  Goodman, Korin, Miller, Philips.  Abstain:  Brack, Cohen, Gladstone.

18. A MOTION was made by Alex Korin and SECONDED by Ted Philips to approve the minutes of October 1, 2012.

19. VOTED:  5-0-2.  For:  Cohen, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Philips.  Abstain:  Brack, Gladstone.

20. A MOTION was made by Alex Korin and SECONDED by Ted Philips to approve the minutes of October 11, 2012.

21. VOTED:  4-0-3.  For:  Cohen, Korin, Miller, Philips.  Abstain:  Brack, Gladstone, Goodman.

22. A MOTION was made by Alex Korin and SECONDED by Bill Brack to approve the minutes of October 15, 2012.

23. VOTED:  5-0-2.  For:  Brack, Cohen, Korin, Miller, Philips.  Abstain:  Gladstone, Goodman.

24. A MOTION was made by Alex Korin and SECONDED by Arnie Cohen to approve the minutes of October 22, 2012.

25. VOTED:  4-0-3.  For:  Cohen, Goodman, Korin, Miller.  Abstain:  Brack, Gladstone, Philips.

26. A MOTION was made by Alex Korin and SECONDED by Arnie Cohen to approve the minutes of November 5, 2012.

27. VOTED:  4-0-3.  For:  Cohen, Goodman, Korin, Miller.  Abstain:  Brack, Gladstone, Philips.

28. A MOTION was made by Alex Korin and SECONDED by Ted Philips to approve the minutes of November 8, 2012.

29. VOTED:  6-0-1.  For:  Brack, Cohen, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Philips.  Abstain:  Gladstone.

30. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Arnie Cohen to approve the minutes of November 15, 2012.

31. VOTED:  4-0-3.  For:  Cohen, Goodman, Miller, Philips.  Abstain:  Brack, Gladstone, Korin.

32. A MOTION was made by Alex Korin and SECONDED by Bill Brack to approve the minutes of November 26, 2012.

33. VOTED:  4-0-3.  For:  Brack, Goodman, Korin, Miller.  Abstain:  Cohen, Gladstone, Philips.

34. A MOTION was made by Alex Korin and SECONDED by Ted Philips to approve the minutes of December 3, 2012.

35. VOTED:  6-0-1.  For:  Brack, Cohen, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Philips.  Abstain:  Gladstone.

36. The next meeting will be January 14, 2013.

37. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

38. VOTED:  7-0-0.

39. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.