Priorities Committee Meeting

Minutes – February 16, 2006

School Administration Building – 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:  Barbara Dunham, Claire Jackson, Paul Pietal, Ben Puritz, Rob

                             Uttyebroek

1. This is the 5^th meeting of the FY ’07 Priorities Committee.  The agenda was to update the Revenue Forecast.

2. There was much discussion on each department’s estimated budgets, but the final amount was not yet available.

3. Ben Puritz stated that there is a lot of interest for the Legislature to issue a budget resolution.  In two or three weeks there may be more concrete information especially from Ways & Means and local aid modification of distribution methodology.

4. There was continued discussion on setting priorities in the budgets.  There was a suggestion of starting at 3% and then adding what would be needed to get to a higher percentage.

5. Chuck Goodman stated that his first priority would be to get a Finance Director.  He also reported on a meeting regarding health insurance.  There are still some unanswered questions.  There is the need to know what the final numbers will be.

6. Dr. Jackson reported that a number of items would have to be eliminated to stay within the budget without an increase.

7. There was discussion held on the utility increase, the process of procurement for the town, and possible consolidation to reduce costs.

8. Discussion was held regarding the Stabilization Fund and the need to continue this fund.

9. There was continued discussion on the need to fund the position of Finance Director.

10. A MOTION was made by David Grasfield and SECONDED by Ira Miller that the position of a Finance Director be added to the Revenue Forecast in an amount not over $100,000.

11. Chuck Goodman amended the motion to an amount no more than $80,000 placeholder.

12. There was much discussion regarding this motion, the amendment, and the procedure of funding and whose sector this would come under.  There were suggestions of a contingency fund and a special article.

13. VOTED:  5-0-1.  For:  Gilligan, Goodman, Grasfield, Miller, Roach.  Abstain:  Nebenzahl.

14. The next meeting will be Wednesday, March 8, at 7:30 p.m.  The agenda will be:  (1) Use of School Facilities by Recreation Department.  (2)  More information on Revenue Forecast Update.  (3)  Finance Director position; each sector to come up with a proposal how the position would be administered and visualized.

15. A MOTION was made and SECONDED to adjourn.

16. VOTED:  6-0-0.

17. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.