Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – March 15, 2010

Town Hall, Lower Level Hearing Room, 7:30 P.M.

Members Present:  Maria Anderson, Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman (late),

                               Jonathan Hitter, Josh Kiernan, Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Edward

                               Philips, (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Brian Fitzgerald, Keith Garte, Donald Gilligan, Laura Nelson

1. The first item on the agenda was to approve the minutes of March 1, 2010.

2. A MOTION was made by Joel Lessard and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to approve the minutes of March 1, 2010.

3. VOTED:  6-0-1.  For:  Anderson, Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Philips.  Abstain:  Gladstone.

4. The next item on the agenda was the FY’11 budget presentation of the Southeastern Regional School District by Luis Lopes, Superintendent.  Also present were Mark Morris, Business Manager, and Mindy Kempner, School Committee Representative from Sharon.

5. Luis Lopes stated that the preliminary budget was $20,221,000, $300,000 less than the present budget.  He was expecting more cuts from the state.  Sharon had an increase of students, from 13 to 16 students.  The projected FY’11 assessment was $188,391 for Sharon.  The assessment reflects $46,000+ increase from previous year.

6. There was much discussion on this budget, the assessment to Sharon, and the formula used to get the amount for each town.

7. The next item on the agenda was the Community Preservation Committee, with Corey Snow, Chair, to discuss the Warrant articles that are on the Annual Town Meeting.  Two articles.  Administrative expenses and annual funding.

8. Jane Desberg, Director, Sharon Housing Authority, spoke regarding repairs to the exterior common area at Pleasant Street School building.  She explained what needed to be done and the amount of $15,000 requested.

9. There was some discussion on the request for CPA funds for this work.

10. The next request for CPA funds was from Mary Tobin of the Sharon Housing Partnership, $20,000 to hire a consultant to identify unrestricted development of affordable housing.  Need to meet affordable housing 10% goal.  Protection against 40b expires December, 2010.

11. There was considerable discussion regarding the need for a consultant to help determine developable land.

12. The next item was about Article 16.  Horizons for Youth Property Conservation Restriction Conveyance.

13. Corey Snow explained that the parcel was purchased using CPA funds.  Required for land purchased as open space.  If the town owns the property, town cannot own conservation restriction on land.  Some party other then town has to own conservation restriction.

14. There was much discussion regarding this article and questions on how this happened and what could be done.

15. The next item was the CPC budget covered in Article 28, Community Preservation Committee Annual Funding – Administrative Expenses and Article 29, Community Preservation Committee Annual Funding – Other Items.

16. Corey Snow stated they allocated 5% and return what isn’t used to the fund.

17. There was some discussion on paying of their debts.  The state match is between 31% and 32%.

18. The next item on the agenda was to discuss articles in the Warrant for Town Meeting. 

19. Article 10.  Remove Deputy Chief of Police position from Civil Service.

20. Chief Bernstein explained that it’s not an additional position.  Use within staffing we have now.  Not asking more money in budget.  Reduction in overtime.  Allows town to have control without being dictated by state how we hire, how we test.

21. Ted Philips stated that a vote at town meeting authorizes Selectmen to go to Legislature.

22. There was some discussion on this article.

23. Article 11.  Grant match for fire fighter training for $3,382 for Homeland Security grant.

24. Ben Puritz explained that it is Federal funds.  Ability to become certified at level one.  Has to be above and beyond maintenance of effort.  Purpose of grant must be fulfilled by June 30 of this year.  The grant is $67,628.  Built into Revenue Forecast.

25. Special within the Annual.

26. Article 1.  Snow and Ice Deficit.  Not to exceed $175,000.  Gives town an option.

27. Article 2.  Supplemental appropriation for school capital projects by re-allocating funds.

28. Ben Puritz explained article for capital appropriation for School Department, $222,000.  Available balances from other source.  That vote needs to occur.  School Department has capacity to fulfill capital program.  Available for current fiscal year.

29. Article 12.  Authorization of sale of 9 Glenview Road.

30. Ben Puritz stated town acquired property for affordable housing to be sold.  On the market for $188,000.  Expect to have Purchase and Sale Agreement that town formally vote in this manner to declare property available for sale.  Earlier action of Town Meeting.  Pro forma article.  Met the affordable housing criteria in perpetuity.  The sale of the property has to be affordable.

31. Article 13.  Zoning by-law to allow for for-profit recreational use at Sacred Heart Property.

32. Ben Puritz explained that this is for recreation use oriented around pool and aquatic use.  In order to allow for that use the zoning must allow for recreation use.  Three things to be done:  The Town Meeting proposes an RFP.  Zoning lease authorizes in excess of ten years.  Municipal use that allows for indoor/outdoor recreation use.

33. Article 14.  Change in use for the Sacred Heart Property.  Municipal use as opposed to zoning use.  Town has municipal use on Parcel F.  Library, police for offices, and add word recreation.

34. Article 15.  Long-term lease for Sacred Heart Property.  Very similar to what town has dealt with for Horizons for Youth.  A lease in excess of ten years.  One for demolition and construction.  Allow in excess of ten years without a cap.

35. Article 16.  Horizons for Youth Property Conservation Restriction Conveyance.

36. To be discussed when Community Preservation Committee comes back with more information.

37. Article 17.  Authorize the Board of Selectmen to negotiate and enter into a written agreement and/or modify certain terms and conditions contained in the Waste Acquisition Agreement.

38. Ben Puritz stated that this is a placeholder article.  The Town is looking for 10-15 year extension of that agreement.  His concern was major increase for trash.

39. Bill Fowler discussed Article 2 of the Special within the Annual.  Identified list.  If we’re doing one for Snow and Ice, leave the Reserve Fund intact.  Clean up older allocations.

40. There was much discussion on re-allocation of funds not used from older projects.

41. Next week Bill Fowler would be here to talk about Revolving Funds.  Try to deliberate on these articles March 22, then April 5.  Warrant articles recommendations due 6^th.

42. The next meeting will be March 22.

43. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

44. VOTED:  8-0-0.

45. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.