Priorities Committee Meeting

Minutes – December 11, 2008

School Administration Building – 7:00 P.M.

Members Present:  Glenn Allen, School Committee; Mitchell Blaustein, School

                               Committee; Charles Goodman, Finance Committee; Ira Miller,

                               Finance Committee, Chair; Richard Powell, Selectman; Walter Joe

                               Roach, Selectman, substituting for William Heitin; (Hamilton)

                Absent:   William Heitin, Selectman

Other Attendees:  Barbara Dunham, William Fowler, Barbra Nadler, Ben Puritz

1. This was the first Priorities Committee meeting of the FY’10 season.  The Priorities Committee Chair, Ira Miller, read the Town of Sharon By-laws Article 3, Section 7 of the Priorities Committee. He then introduced the Committee.  This meeting’s agenda was to Review the initial Revenue Forecast for FY’10.  The purpose was to inform the town of fixed sources of revenue, State aid, excise taxes, payments in lieu of taxes, availability of free cash, and to put together a coordinated financial forecast for the ensuing fiscal year.

2. Bill Fowler, Treasurer/Finance Director, presented an in-depth overview of the Revenue Forecast, versions 1.01 and 1.02, and explained the differences.  The Estimates show low, mid and high, but high was determined not to be feasible.  Under Fixed and Uncontrollable, both versions were the same.  Due to the economy, the town may have to contribute more to Norfolk County Retirement.  State Aid, under the low version, was down 10%.

3. There was considerable discussion on the Revenue Forecast regarding revenue sources, increase in assessments to the town from the MBTA, the condition of the economy, and use of override.

4. The School Department was concerned what the allocation for schools would be in order to identify where cuts may have to be made.  This information would be needed very soon.

5. A suggestion was made to consider renegotiating contracts for FY’10, especially in health insurance, which could be done now.

6. Ira Miller listed future agenda items:  (1)  Review updates to Revenue Forecast; (2)  Review Long-term Revenue Estimates, FY’10 – FY’17; (3)  Review updates to Long-term Growth Projection, FY’09 – FY’15; (4)  Discuss Budget Allocations; (5)  Review Town Health Insurance Plans; (6)  Fire Department staffing; (7)  Review Debt Schedule.

7. The next meeting will be January 8, 2009.

8. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

9. VOTED:  5-0-0.

10. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.