Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – July 26, 2010

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

Members Present:  Maria Anderson, Brian Fitzgerald, Keith Garte, Gordon Gladstone,

                               Charles Goodman, Josh Kiernan, Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Laura

                               Nelson (Hamilton)

                Absent:   William Brack, Edward Philips

1. The first item on the agenda was the continuation of timelines for the Fall Town Meeting.  Joel Lessard summarized items discussed at the prior meeting, such as how to get information to the town earlier, recommendations should be in the Warrant, soft deadline, and Selectmen discussed having three weeks before recommendations are due.  The Planning Board, Conservation Commission and Town Counsel continued the discussion.

2.  Susan Price, Chair, Planning Board, responded regarding public hearings that part of it has to do with printing and notification of public hearings.

3. There was much discussion on zoning articles and some clarification by Town Counsel Dick Gelerman as to complexity and legality.

4. After much discussion, a suggestion was made to send notice to other boards and committees that a vote is needed by a certain date.

5. Peg Arguimbau, Chair, Conservation Commission, stated that they work up to the last minute especially on land and on zoning.  They review, take vote and get commission’s input.  If they were to change a by-law, it would require hearings and notice in the paper.  If they did by-law change, would not be a last minute change for land preservation purchase.  What would be definite is what property it is.  They might or might not be able to take vote.

6. The next item was continuation of conversation of last meeting with Ben Puritz and Joe Roach.  The Selectmen were to discuss two topics at their meeting.  Time between when Warrant was signed and recommendations due, and a soft deadline.  Selectmen would support indefinite postponement when there wasn’t enough information.

7. Joe Roach explained that on the first issue the board felt very strongly for this Town Meeting that Finance Committee will have 20 days.  For this town meeting in November, we felt 20 days was close to what you were asking.  The second was to support your indefinite postponement if you felt you did not have enough information before you had to make recommendation.  Board did not support that recommendation.  We need extra time to negotiate.  If we didn’t have information that we should be bringing to town meeting, we would pull the article.  Negotiating with teachers.  If we hadn’t had extra time and ratified, the town would have lost revenue until following year on health insurance.  We could do a better job getting some of the Warrant articles to you sooner.

8. There was some discussion regarding a firm deadline and the Selectmen had not discussed a soft deadline, but it would be brought up at their next meeting.

9. There was a suggestion that the Selectmen would work toward improving and being earlier with information for recommendations.

10. There was much discussion regarding major changes made to an article from the Warrant, and that townspeople can’t make decision at last minute.

11. The next item on the agenda was a Reserve Fund Transfer Request by the Conservation Commission.

12. Greg Meister, Administrator, Conservation Commission, stated that $17,475 was needed as an interim budget until November to keep Cedar Swamp Technical Team working.

13. There was some discussion on this request.

14. Cliff Towner, Chair, Lake Management Committee, reported that the lake was down over a foot.  Totally dependent on Cedar Swamp.  All springs come from Cedar Swamp.  If we set up what we need, the State will pay for it.  Not in drought, had two inches of rain.  Water running out going south.  Future of directing water.  This is critical with lake involved.

15. A MOTION was made by Chuck Goodman and SECONDED by Brian Fitzgerald to make a Reserve Fund transfer in the amount of $17,475 to the Conservation Commission for the Great White Cedar Swamp Technical Team.

16. There was some discussion on the motion.

17. VOTED:  7-0-1.  For:  Anderson, Fitzgerald, Garte, Gladstone, Goodman, Kiernan, Lessard.  Abstain:  Miller.  Laura Nelson had left the meeting at 9:30 p.m.

18. Continued discussion of issues covered with Planning Board and Conservation Commission, and question of Selectmen to take position on articles.

19. A suggestion was made that when the Selectmen have information they feel is appropriate, to take position in advance of the Finance Committee publishing the Warrant.  Should include Selectmen’s vote and recommendation in Warrant.

20. There was some discussion on this suggestion and the time it takes to print the Warrant.

21. Joel Lessard reported on a call from Cindy Doherty, Town Accountant, last week discussing a Reserve Fund request from the Zoning Board of Appeals that was supposed to come before us.  They exceeded their budget.  Hadn’t received a request and hadn’t voted one.  From now on she will not allow deficit spending.  They will not be paid until they give a request.

22. The next meeting will be August 9, 2010, to discuss Post Office Square zoning article.

23. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

24. VOTED:  8-0-0.

25. The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m.