Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – May 3, 2010
Sharon High School Library, 6:00 P.M.
Members Present: Maria Anderson, Brian Fitzgerald (late), Donald Gilligan, Gordon
Gladstone, Charles Goodman (late), Jonathan Hitter, Josh Kiernan, Ira
Miller, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips, (Hamilton)
Absent: Keith Garte, Joel Lessard
1. The agenda was to discuss three or four articles for Town Meeting due to recent changes.
2. Article 5. Budgets/Compensation of Elected Officers. Previously voted 9-0-0 in favor. New information was discussed at Priorities in terms of dollars in recap sheet due to teachers’ contract.
3. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to reconsider Article 5.
4. VOTED: 5-2-1. For: Gladstone, Hitter, Kiernan, Nelson, Philips. Against: Gilligan, Miller. Abstain: Anderson.
5. Members of School Committee, Superintendent, and Assistant Superintendent were present.
6. Glenn Allen, Chair, School Committee reported that negotiations concluded today. They signed the Memorandum of Agreement at 4:45 p.m. Voted in School Committee meeting 15 minutes ago. Move from 80/20 with teachers paying 20%. Looking for 70/30. They agreed to 75/25 for all teachers effective July 1. Save approximately $264,000 next year in health insurance. Rate of increase is higher than rate of increase for salaries or any other item.
7. Jon Hitter stated that Priorities voted 5-1 to take out of health insurance budget, then $190,000 going to School; $56,795 needed in Selectmen’s budgets. If favorable outcome, Priorities in favor of reallocating those funds. It was in the recap sheet. There is Agreement with School. All moved from health insurance to fund the salaries.
8. Glenn Allen stated that an additional 1% increase in salaries was added to the 1% in the budget. $190,000 to go to school’s operating budget to cover the additional 1%, for a total increase in salaries of 2%. The contract for a three-year term which calls for a 1.5% increase in year two and a 3% increase in year three.
9. The vote was unanimous by all sitting School Committee members except Sam Liao, who was absent and Joe Roach, who is not a member of the School Committee.
10. Per Priorities, there was to be reallocation of $56,800 to Town sector; $30,000 to Treasurer and $26,800 to DPW budget.
11. Ben Puritz stated that the Selectmen’s sector would diminish in the health insurance budget, pending teachers’ contract. Set forth in administrative budget process. Carried to Selectmen’s side and provided change of $56,800. Two items, Treasurer’s budget for outsourcing payroll services. DPW for facilities maintenance.
12. Ben Puritz said that Priorities had agreed that $30,000 should go to outsourcing payroll. Ira Miller said and Chuck Goodman agreed that item was never discussed nor voted at Priorities.
13. Ben Puritz continued regarding the DPW management of the Community Center. Three items outstanding issues of HVAC, heating and air conditioning. Water infiltration where it shouldn’t. Roof leaks. Masonry allowing water coming in around windows.
14. There was considerable discussion on the reallocation of the $56,800 for the Selectmen’s sector and the maintenance issues at the Community Center.
15. A MOTION was made by Donald Gilligan and SECONDED by Ira Miller to keep budgets as printed in Warrant and have departments come back at Fall Town Meeting for adjustments.
16. There was some discussion on the motion, and it was withdrawn because the school contract would be nullified if it wasn’t passed at this Town Meeting.
17. A MOTION was made by Chuck Goodman and SECONDED by Ira Miller to supplement budget for School Committee. Number from Priorities $190,088.05. Move from Health Insurance Fixed and Uncontrollable to School budget, $190,088.05.
18. VOTED: 9-1-0. For: Anderson, Fitzgerald, Gilligan, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Nelson, Philips. Against: Gladstone.
19. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Gordon Gladstone to appropriate the other half, $56,800 transferred from Health Insurance budget, $30,000 to Treasurer, and $26,800 to DPW.
20. VOTED: 6-4-0. For: Anderson, Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Hitter, Kiernan, Philips. Against: Gilligan, Goodman, Miller, Nelson.
21. Article 13. Zoning by-law to allow for for-profit recreational use. Previously voted to make recommendation at Town Meeting. Zoning article.
22. Paul Lauenstein gave the Report of the Planning Board. They held public hearing. They heard from Committee for Sacred Heart. There was interest to make something happen. Vote was 3-0-1. Paul Lauenstein abstained. Majority voted in favor.
23. There was some discussion regarding Rural 2 District that this zoning would allow for indoor/outdoor recreation.
24. Town Counsel Dick Gelerman stated that anything in Rural 2 District that meets the criteria would be allowed.
25. It was stated that this would affect other parcels, Memorial Beach, Community Center.
26. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to approve Article 13 as written.
27. VOTED: 7-2-1. For: Anderson, Gilligan, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Philips. Against: Gladstone, Nelson. Abstain: Fitzgerald.
28. Article 15. Long-term lease for Sacred Heart Property. Allow Selectmen to enter into a lease not to exceed 20 years, in excess of 10 years.
29. There was some discussion on this article.
30. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to allow Selectmen to enter into a lease up to 20 years.
31. VOTED: 10-0-0. For: Anderson, Fitzgerald, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Nelson, Philips.
32. 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.
33. A MOTION was made by Josh Kiernan and SECONDED by Ted Philips for indefinite postponement.
34. VOTED: 10-0-0. For: Anderson, Fitzgerald, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Nelson, Philips.
35. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
36. VOTED: 10-0-0.
37. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.