Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – March 27, 2013
Town Hall, Lower Level Hearing Room, 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: William Brack, Arnold Cohen (late), Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman (late),
Alexander Korin, Ira Miller, Laura Nelson (Hamilton)
Absent: Brian Fitzgerald, Edward Philips
1. The first item on the agenda was the Town Clerk presenting a proposal for funding for codification of town By-Laws.
2. Marlene Chused, Town Clerk, stated that this was an addition to her budget at a cost of $27,502 to do this. $165,517 total dollar figure of the budget. The last time the General By-laws was updated was August 2010. Once the service has been completed and up and running, there will be a yearly fee.
3. Patrick Smith stated that he represents a company called General Code. In business over 51 years. Codification is organizing and systemizing by-laws. Organize into a printed book. We have worked with 80-85 other towns in Massachusetts. Editorial analysis and legal review. Go through all by-laws. Legal analysis is most of the work. Incorporation of all changes. Keep most up to date version on web site. New by-laws get appended PDF in front of by-laws.
4. There was considerable discussion regarding the codification of the town’s General By-laws.
5. The next item on the agenda was the health insurance.
6. Peter Savage, Health Insurance representative, reported on claims numbers. There were some substantial changes in contract benefits that were covered. Most are in HMO. Projecting decrease in trust.
7. There was considerable discussion regarding the health insurance, a 9% to 12% increase in costs.
8. The next item on the agenda was to review articles in the Warrant.
9. The committee was prepared to do as many articles that can be done quickly to get ahead on writing recommendations.
10. Ben Puritz stated there were some changes regarding Sharon Residences.
11. The proponents were at the Planning Board hearing this evening.
12. Selectman Joe Roach wanted to discuss Article 4. Personnel By-law.
13. The committee did not have enough information to discuss Article 4. It will be on the agenda for Monday night.
14. A Special within the Annual.
15. Special Article 1. Request that funds from prior year’s encumbrance be set aside for use on the FY 2014 Revaluation.
16. Laura Nelson left the meeting at 9:30 p.m.
17. Ben Puritz stated that it was less than $50,000. Built into Assessors’ budget. Designed so you have annual funding source—3 year program. Money from what was encumbered from FY’12. It is a dedicated fund.
18. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Bill Brack to recommend transferring a sum of encumbered money for the Assessors’ FY 2014 revaluation.
19. VOTED: 5-0-1. For: Brack, Cohen, Gladstone, Goodman, Miller. Abstain: Korin.
20. Special Article 2. Article to rescind capital borrowing authorized at Town Meeting/never borrowed. $287,421.58. Wait on this article.
21. Special Article 3. Article to appropriate a sum of money to close the Snow & Ice Deficit for FY 2013. Wait on this article.
22. Ben Puritz stated that the DPW number was $250,000+ if there is no other use. $100,000 left in Reserve Fund. Reimbursement from FEMA/MEMA for January storm.
23. Article 1. Finance Committee Members. There was no report from Nominating Committee.
24. Article 2. Establish Professional District B and to place district on the land off of South Main Street.
25. Article 3. Create a wastewater overlay district and place it on the Zoning Map on Old Post Road. Wait to hear from Bob Shelmerdine and Planning Board.
26. Article 4. Personnel By-law. Budget. Hold.
27. Article 5. Budgets/Compensation of elected officials. Hold.
28. Article 6. Deferred Benefits. Transfer money, $100,000, appropriated payment of performance to retirees.
29. Ben Puritz stated this referred to state law in local option. Ask you to defer known liabilities. Bill Fowler to discuss.
30. Article 7. OPEB Funds. Bill Fowler has materials. Health insurance costs for retirees.
31. Article 8. Rooms Tax.
32. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Bill Brack to recommend Article 8.
33. VOTED: 6-0-0. For: Brack, Cohen, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller.
34. Article 9. Meals Tax.
35. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Bill Brack to recommend Article 9.
36. VOTED: 6-0-0. For: Brack, Cohen, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller.
37. Article 10. Capital Outlay Articles. Defer.
38. Article 11. Norfolk County Retirement.
39. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Bill Brack to recommend Article 11.
40. VOTED: 6-0-0. For: Brack, Cohen, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller.
41. Article 12. Addition to Stabilization Funds.
42. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Chuck Goodman to recommend against Article 12.
43. There was some discussion on the motion.
44. VOTED: 4-2-0. For: Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller. Against: Brack, Cohen.
45. Article 13. Unemployment. $75,000.
46. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Bill Brack to recommend Article 13.
47. VOTED: 6-0-0. For: Brack, Cohen, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller.
48. Article 14. Sharon Friends School Fund records and appointments.
49. A MOTION was made by Alex Korin and SECONDED by Chuck Goodman to recommend Article 14.
50. VOTED: 6-0-0. For: Brack, Cohen, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller.
51. Article 15. Act upon reports.
52. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Bill Brack to recommend Article 15.
53. VOTED: 6-0-0. For: Brack, Cohen, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller.
54. Article 16. Annual Audit.
55. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Bill Brack to recommend Article 16 in the amount of $52,800.
56. VOTED: 6-0-0. For: Brack, Cohen, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller.
57. Article 17. Property tax exemptions for veterans, blind, disabled and others qualified.
58. A MOTION was made by Chuck Goodman and SECONDED by Gordon Gladstone to recommend Article 17.
59. VOTED: 6-0-0. For: Brack, Cohen, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller.
60. Article 18. Veterans Property Tax work-off (local option).
61. A MOTION was made by Chuck Goodman and SECONDED by Bill Brack to recommend Article 18.
62. VOTED: 6-0-0. For: Brack, Cohen, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller.
63. Article 19. Motor Vehicle Excise Exemption for Residents on Active Military Duty. Hold.
64. Article 20. Deferral of excise tax for Veteran’s and members of the Massachusetts National Guard. Hold.
65. Article 21. Medical marijuana zoning/otherwise regulate. Hold.
66. Bob Shelmerdine, proponent of Articles 2 and 3, came from Planning Board hearing. Vote on maps. Asked for information from Board of Health on septic issues. Meeting on April 8. Did not vote directly on the textural article 2 of Assisted Living and article 3, wastewater not voted on. Think getting positive vote if not unanimous, good majority. Mr. McSweeney and Board members asked chair if we could come back in front of you to make supplemental presentation. We have updated fiscal impact report. Clarify use of fiscal years and take a look at cost and revenues apart from school, assisted living. What impact assisted living rating the police, general, education human services, low impact on these. Cost of having 93 units.
67. There was considerable discussion regarding the maximum number of 93 units and the impact on the waste water facility.
68. The committee would not make a recommendation without seeing the MOU, Memorandum of Understanding.
69. Bob Shelmerdine stated they were trying to show what the zoning by-law is. There are two issues. What’s the maximum and what’s it likely to be. The committee wants (1) Assessors’ value; (2) water usage; (3) revenue, affordability; (4) no affordable units are viable; (5) parking.
70. The next meeting will be April 1.
71. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
72. VOTED: 6-0-0.
73. The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 p.m.