DRAFT-UNAPPROVED

 

Priorities Committee Meeting

Minutes – March 29, 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:  Linda Callan, Barbara Dunham, Herb Gould, Claire Jackson, Abigail Marsters, Barbra Nadler, Paul Pietal, Ben Puritz, Karen Sackman

 

1.      This is the 7th meeting of the FY ’07 Priorities Committee.

 

2.      The agenda was the Revenue Forecast, Finance Director, Library needing additional funds, and what other business needed to be discussed.

 

3.      Chuck Goodman reported that each sector came up with what their constraints would be on the Revenue Forecast.  School had 2.67%, Selectmen had 2.5%, and Finance had 1.87%.  The sectors are short about $412,000.  The Finance Committee number for ’07 is $1,347,340, Selectmen $8,078,298, School $29,766,326.  Total $39,192,053.  The difference (shortfall) between that number and the above sectors budgets as submitted is approximately $412,000.

 

4.      There was much discussion regarding the need for more revenue, more State Aid, and where this money could come from.

 

5.      Continued discussion on ways within the budgets that the $412,000 could be found.

 

6.      A schedule of what cases before the Appellate Tax Board have been settled from prior years from Overlay Reserve, and what’s been released, will be available for the next meeting.

 

7.      The following is a list of line items that are adjustable for local receipts:  Overlay, Overlay Reserve, Motor Vehicle Excise, Health Insurance, Medicare D, Free Cash.

 

8.      There was discussion on Medicaid reimbursement.  Last year it was $196,919.31.  In the current year it is $247,833.15.

 

9.      A MOTION was made by Andy Nebenzahl and SECONDED by Ira Miller that the line item in the allocation to the revenue source on page 10 for department revenue that Schools be increased from $190,000 to $248,000 in the FY’07 working budget.

 

10.  VOTED:  6-0-0.

 

11.  Dr. Jackson noted that two items on page 11 under tuition assessment was incorrect.  Sharon Public Schools doesn’t participate in School Choice.

 

12.  A MOTION was made by Andy Nebenzahl and SECONDED by David Grasfield to eliminate in the line item on page 11 under Tuition Assessment, Item No. 1, School Choice, 2 tuitions, $8,064.

 

13.  VOTED:  6-0-0.

 

14.  Dr. Jackson also stated that the number of children going to Charter Schools is decreasing.  It is down 30%.  Those children are staying in Sharon and going to our schools.  Eleven students.

 

15.  There was discussion regarding debt exclusion and the buy back of bonds.

 

16.  The Library was there to make a presentation.

 

17.  Barbra Nadler, Library Director, stated that they decided to defer.  They have a few issues to work out.

 

18.  The discussion about a Finance Director was deferred.

 

19.  There was discussion regarding the Warrant, deadline for printing, budgets to be included, the override, and the ballot question regarding the override amount.

 

20.  The next Priorities meeting will be Monday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m.

 

21.  The agenda will include all open items regarding which we should have for Revenue Forecast.  Discussion regarding a Finance Director.  The Library, Assessor, Town Accountant regarding Free Cash, Treasurer, MUNIS system, Don Hillegasse.

 

22.  It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

 

23.  VOTED:  6-0-0.

 

24.  The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.