Priorities Committee Meeting

Minutes – January 5, 2006

School Superintendent’s Office, 7:30 P.M.

Members Present:  Donald Gilligan, School Committee; Charles Goodman, Finance

                               Committee, Chairman; David Grasfield, Selectman; Ira Miller,

                               Finance Committee; Andrew Nebenzahl, School Committee; Walter

                              Joe Roach, Selectman; (Hamilton)

Other Attendees:  Mitch Blaustein, Barbara Dunham, William Heitin, Claire Jackson,

                             Barbra Nadler, Paul Pietal, Ben Puritz, Rob Uttyebroek

1. This is the second meeting of the FY’07 Priorities Committee.

2. A more composite ’07 Revenue Forecast was available which also included an Executive Summary, Analysis of Free Cash, details of Insurance Analysis, and Bonded Debt information.

3. A page by page review of the Revenue Forecast was discussed with a view to any significant changes in the numbers presented.  Each item was discussed in order to have a better understanding of the numbers.

4. It was agreed to have the Board of Assessors present at the next meeting to discuss their projection.

5. Discussion was held on the amount of State aid that could be expected and when the figure would be available.

6. A MOTION was made by Andy Nebenzahl that the Priorities Committee use as a working number $8,800,000.  Discussion was held on this motion.  David Grasfield SECONDED.  No action was taken on this motion.

7. The review of the Revenue Forecast continued.

8. There was much discussion on the Water Department with an explanation of $500,000 that was placed twice.

9. The Committee continued looking into areas where there could be significant changes in the numbers.

10. Regarding Free Cash, Bill Heitin stated that Free Cash (1) relates as a percentage of the Operating Budget.  A declining number of the Operating Budget; (2) it is the only reserve (3) as relates to bond rating it affects a rate as we go from double A to A1, we’re going to add .25 to interest rate.

11. Ben Puritz stated that not all Free Cash is to be utilized.  Holding back some Free Cash and continuing to direct a minimum of $100,000 to Stabilization Fund.

12. Continued review on the Fixed and Uncontrollable or Special Expenditures, item by item including Debt Exclusion, Capital Projects, and Bond Issues.

13. Much discussion was held on Medicare, Social Security, Norfolk County Retirement System, and Health Care.

14. A suggestion was made to have an outside consultant look at the Town’s health insurance, the Finance Committee Reserve Fund could be used to pay for this, and possibly the other two sectors would also sponsor this.

15. Andy Nebenzahl reported that there is a Town wide problem regarding the School Department renting facilities, especially to the Recreation Department.  Discussion was held on this, and it should be resolved at another meeting.

16. There was much discussion regarding a Collective Bargaining issue.

17. A suggestion was made to have a list of items with revised figures to go over before the next meeting as a conclusion is needed very soon.  Also needed from Joan Leighton are the actuals for health insurance and the transfer out of the insurance account.

18. The next meeting will start at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 19, at the Superintendent’s Office.

19. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

20. VOTED:  6-0-0.

21. The meeting adjourned at 11:05 P.M.