Priorities Committee Meeting

Minutes – January 8, 2009

School Administration Building – 7:30 P.M.

Members Present:  Glenn Allen, School Committee; Linda Callan, School Committee,

substituting for Mitchell Blaustein; Charles Goodman, Finance

                               Committee; William Heitin, Selectman; Ira Miller, Finance

                               Committee, Chair; Richard Powell, Selectman; (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Mitchell Blaustein, School Committee

Other Attendees:  James Davenport, Cindy Doherty, Barbara Dunham, William Fowler,

                             Chief Dennis Mann, Capt. Rick Murphy, Barbra Nadler, Ben Puritz,

                             Alison Rutley, Capt. Brad Simpson, Laura Solomons

1. The first item on the agenda was the issue of Fire Department staffing.

2. James Davenport stated, on behalf of the firefighters’, concerns of inadequate staffing of the Fire Department which causes increased occupational hazards.  There are limitations due to inadequate staffing levels.  Staffing levels were supposed to be addressed with increased revenue from Brickstone, Commons, and Avalon Bay.

3. Capt. Rick Murphy made a presentation showing statistics from the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), that sets standard for safety, and American Heart Association indicating what is needed for adequate staffing (minimum of six) and how Sharon has inadequate staffing (only four) so firefighters must multi-task and do work of two men.

4. There was discussion regarding the presentation and how to fund a solution to the problem.

5. The next item on the agenda was to review updates to the Revenue Forecast.

6. Bill Fowler presented version 3 of the Revenue Forecast which incorporated the other two versions, is mid-point of the two, and added some additional new growth.

7. There was considerable discussion on the Revenue Forecast.  None of the versions include the override amount.  Chuck Goodman suggested having a schedule of old and new changes to see the differences between the versions.

8. There was much discussion on levy capacity, percentage of state aid that is expected to be reduced, expenses, and revenue expectations.

9. A suggestion was made that if all town employees under health insurance would contribute 30% and the town 70%, the town would have a net flow of $1 million.  There was some discussion on this suggestion.

10. There was discussion held on revenue estimates, one time revenue, and use of free cash.

11. There was discussion on allocation for preparing budgets.  A suggestion was made to use the 1.03 version of the Revenue Forecast using a 1.62% increase as a working estimate, which does not meet maintenance of service.

12. There was discussion regarding public safety issues and how to fund additional personnel.  The town would need to have recurring money to support Fire Department and School Resource Officer.

13. A suggestion was made to access more of the override if needed to fund public safety positions.  There was discussion that using override would increase taxes 8%-10%.

14. There was more discussion on health insurance regarding moving the town over to GIC insurance which might not happen until July 1, 2010.

15. There was discussion on using version 3, dated 1/8/09, of the Revenue Forecast for preparation of budgets and making budget presentations in February.

16. A MOTION was made by Bill Heitin and SECONDED by Glenn Allen to utilize version 1.03 of the Revenue Forecast from today’s discussion as directional allocation for budgets.

17. VOTED:  5-0-0.  For:  Allen, Goodman, Heitin, Miller, Powell.

18. A MOTION was made by Rich Powell and SECONDED by Glenn Allen to approve the minutes of 12-11-08.

19. VOTED:  4-0-1.  For:  Allen, Goodman, Miller, Powell.  Abstain:  Heitin.

20. January 25 will be the date of the Governor’s budget.

21. The next meeting will be Wednesday, January 28, at 7:30 p.m.

22. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

23. VOTED:  5-0-0.

24. The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m.