Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – March 4, 2013

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

Members Present:  Arnold Cohen, Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman, Alexander Korin, Ira Miller,

                               Edward Philips (Hamilton)

                Absent:   William Brack, Brian Fitzgerald, Laura Nelson

1. The first item on the agenda was to review the Town Clerk’s budget.

2. Marlene Chused presented the Town Clerk’s level funded budget plus contractual.  She indicated that everything has increased, and there are many unfunded mandates.  She stated that there was revenue in the amount of $52,000 without passports which had been $20,000 in revenue.  All revenue goes into the General Fund.

3. There was some discussion on this budget and also the anticipated 2% salary for the Assistant Town Clerk and 2% plus requested (actual 4.8% increase) for the Town Clerk which would need to be discussed by the committee.

4. The next item on the agenda was the review of the Board of Health budget with Bridget Sweet, Administrator, and Suzi Peck, Chair, Board of Health.

5. Suzi Peck explained that Bridget’s salary is 6% less than last year’s.  Doing health 37.5 hours and administrative assistant, 20 hours.  25 hours for the public health nurse.  Bridget also does inspections.  Added money to training and education item, lab services, and gasoline budget.

6. There was some discussion on this budget.

7. Suzi Peck announced that the Board of Health is considering raising the age of purchasing tobacco to 21.  It is a local option.  On April 8 there will be a hearing for raising the age of purchasing cigarettes to 21 at the Community Center.

8. Ira Miller announced that the Town census was distributed in January and that everyone that hasn’t returned their form, please send it back now.

9. The next item on the agenda was proponents for a possible article for the May Annual Town Meeting, namely, Sharon Commons Assisted Living Zoning.

10. Bob Shelmerdine, the attorney for the Sharon Residences, northern and southern parcel,  is working with Town Counsel and has engaged Tom Houston to draft a by-law.  They have set up a meeting with the Selectmen and the Planning Board.

11. Bob Shelmerdine explained that they are seeking a by-law amendment for 669 South Main Street for assisted living for 66 or 88 units.  They are not doing 135 Old Post Road at this time, but are establishing a waste water facility at that location.  Entering a Memorandum of Understanding with the town.

12. There was much discussion on this issue and the proponent will be returning at a later date with more information that wasn’t ready for this meeting.

13. The next item was to discuss minutes.

14. A MOTION was made by Alex Korin and SECONDED by Ted Philips to approve the minutes of February 11, 2013.

15. VOTED:  5-0-1.  For:  Cohen, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Philips.  Abstain:  Gladstone.

16. The next meeting will be the fire and police budgets.

17. Received the latest draft list of articles.  Hope to have a mock-up Warrant with the benefits of having some of our pro forma articles with past recommendations.

18. Gordon Gladstone reported on Capital Outlay.  There was a request for $200,000 for a public safety feasibility study; $150,000 for evaluation of high school.  There was a request for an evaluation of Heights.  Also the building of the DPW garage, $1M.

19. There was some discussion on possible items for Capital Outlay activity.

20. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

21. VOTED:  6-0-0.

22. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.