Priorities Committee Meeting

Minutes, January 28, 2009

School Administration Building – 7:30 P.M.

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

                               Committee; Charles Goodman, Finance Committee; William Heitin,

                               Selectman; Ira Miller, Chair, Finance Committee; Rich Powell,

                               Selectman

Other Attendees:    Linda Callan, Barbara Dunham, Bill Fowler, Barbra Nadler, Ben

Puritz, Laura Salomons

1. The first agenda item was the updated revenue forecast.

2. Bill Fowler reported on the numbers of the definitive 9C cuts for the remainder of this year, and the Governor’s proposed local aid budget for next year.  The FY’09 cuts were $169,766 depending on how the formula was structured.  House 1, local aid was cut $328,420 for FY’10 Sharon local aid.  Reduced local assessment by $14,000.

3. Rich Powell stated that two new taxes were proposed by the Governor, hotel tax and meal tax.

4. Bill Fowler explained this is the state increase which doesn’t include the local option.

5. There was much discussion on this newest revenue forecast version of 2.04, and how and where the funding for the firefighters would come from.  There was discussion on new growth and one time payments to the town.  There was continued discussion on FY’09 shortfall.

6. Ben Puritz explained that $216,000 was budgeted for the Fire Department with $160,000 available for four firefighters and that the $56,000 was used by the Fire Department for fill in costs.

7. There was some discussion regarding the $160,000 voted from the Stabilization Fund for the firefighters, but was not used because of uncertainty of sustainability.  The DOR advised permissible to transfer back to Stabilization Fund and then utilize for FY’10 Firefighters funding.

8. It was reported by DPW that the deficit amount for Snow & Ice was $168,000.  Only one expenditure had been made from the Reserve Fund for the Charter Commission, $25,000.  Balance $325,000 in Reserve Fund.

9. There was discussion on the Revenue Forecast versions from the first allocation number of 1.62% to 2.69% and now 3.59%.

10. Barbara Dunham commented and corrected the SNARC numbers.

11. Ira Miller stated that the 9C cuts and FY’10 local aid represents a 2.5% increase in property tax.  It boosts the 3.59% allocation, but the actual increase is 2.5% without touching the unused $1.2 million override excess capacity.

12. Ira Miller commented on changing health insurance because there is a document showing a $1.3 million annual savings.

13. There was some discussion on ways to raise money.

14. A MOTION was made by Bill Heitin and SECONDED by Rich Powell that we agree to allocate a 3.59% increase off the FY’09 adjusted base budget as a working number for FY’10 operating budgets.

15. VOTED:  6-0-0.

16. It was announced that the budget review date for the School Department was March 2 and for the Selectmen’s sector, February 23.

17. The next meeting will be March 12, if needed.

18. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

19. VOTED:  6-0-0.

20. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.