Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – August 23, 2010
Town Hall, Lower Level Hearing Room, 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Maria Anderson, William Brack, Gordon Gladstone, Charles
Goodman (late), Josh Kiernan, Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Laura Nelson
(Hamilton)
Absent: Brian Fitzgerald, Keith Garte, Edward Philips
1. The agenda was to discuss the Committee’s FY’11 Goals and Liaisons.
2. FY’10 Goals: (1) Monitor revenue expectations of ongoing projects: Sharon Hills, Sharon Commons, Wilber. (2) Encourage Town health insurance coverage that reflects typical resident coverage. (3) Monitor energy budgets. (4) Pursue Town-wide Maintenance Department. (5) Monitor Mitigation Funds to be received from Sharon Commons and Sharon Hills. (6) Monitor policies of town-owned vehicles (employee use, type purchased). (7) Continue to publish Annual Town Report with full details (all positions, salaries, employees). (8) Continue to support Capital Outlay debt elimination strategy. (9) Continue to resist utilizing unused levy limit. (10) Continue “It’s Your Money” articles in Sharon Advocate. (11) Monitor salary compensation agreements. (12) Improve inter-board communication.
3. Discussion on goals and whether to carry over or delete: Monitor revenue expectations of ongoing projects – get report every four months. Continue to publish Annual Town Report; health insurance coverage; monitor mitigation funds; resist utilizing unused levy limit; improve inter-board communication.
4. Continue to publish Annual Town Report; health insurance coverage, monitor mitigation funds; resist utilizing unused levy limit; improve inter-board communication.
5. There was some discussion regarding the town-owned vehicles and the mileage. Chuck Goodman reported they only received list once. Supposed to be done annually. Vehicles should have town decal. The Chair will pursue this issue. There was a suggestion to check on progress and start a file on vehicles. Monitor town-owned vehicles. Missing annual update. Update of mileage.
6. There was discussion held on the Annual Report regarding what other towns put in their reports and whether more financial items could be in the report. To be in touch with Bill Fowler to update any information he needs. Discussion after Fall Town Meeting at end of November.
7. Joel Lessard reported on Selectmen’s meeting that he attended August 3. Discussion on Town Meeting deadlines. General agreement they would try to take position in time for us to take our vote. If unable to take position, they would come to meeting and let us know why. 99% of articles buttoned up before the Town Meeting. They agreed they would try to take position on October 8. A hard deadline by-law may not serve the purpose. Like to see a general agreement.
8. There was much discussion on the deadline issue and what the committee could do regarding their recommendation on articles with little or no information. Suggestion to have separate goal that if there is information, will take position. If no information by October 8, recommend indefinite postponement. A suggestion was made to not indefinitely postpone, but postpone to next Town Meeting. Another suggestion to list votes in Warrant of committees that have voted. A goal to improve recommendations and the committee to speak with one voice. Majority opinion prevails. No minority opinion to be given.
9. Suggestion on goals to monitor revenue and mitigation funds to get quarterly updates. Update on town health insurance coverage regarding progress since last year. What’s being done for the future? Suggestion to stay abreast on the legislation of insurance not going through collective bargaining through Association of Town Finance Committees by keeping in touch with representatives. Be aware when Town Insurance Advisory Committee has a meeting through Ben Puritz.
10. Continue to support Capital Outlay debt elimination. Continue to resist utilizing unused levy limit. Be proactive prior to budget review in February and March. Try to coordinate with Selectmen on amount of increase as outlined by Priorities Committee and Revenue Forecast.
11. There was some discussion on transferring the Town Clerk’s budget to the Selectmen’s sector to keep together with Elections & Registration. Another suggestion to relinquish all budgets to the Selectmen’s sector unless someone wants to stay with the Finance Committee.
12. Update Goals: Annual Report – Laura Nelson contact Bill Fowler. Town Health Insurance – Ted Philips contact State Legislature. Town Vehicles – Joel Lessard will get information. Town Revenues and Mitigation – Ira Miller contact Bill Fowler. Capital Outlay Debt Elimination – talk to Ben Puritz; direct Josh Kiernan and Gordon Gladstone as representatives to Capital Outlay. Unused Levy Limit – Joel Lessard will pursue. Improve Warrant Recommendations – include proponent. Include proponent votes – Bill Brack.
13. Joel Lessard will be responsible for missing proponent vote. Improve our performance at Town Meeting.
14. There was discussion on what the liaisons should be doing. Suggestion to get notice of other committee’s meetings and agendas. Be the point person for the budget. Do in-depth review of large budgets to be aware of any difficult items before committee review process.
15. Liaisons: Two to Selectmen; one to Finance; one to Treasurer; one to Lake Management; one for Public Safety; one for Town Clerk; two for School Committee; one for Capital Building Projects.
16. Do not provide liaison to Treasurer, Accountant or Personnel Board, but do provide to Town Clerk. The Chair does communication between boards.
17. Liaisons: Capital Building Projects – Gordon Gladstone, includes Standing Building Committee and Town-wide building committee. A few people want to be liaison to School Committee, Bill Brack and others. Josh Kiernan and Gordon Gladstone requested Capital Outlay. DPW-Gordon Gladstone. Fire, Ambulance, Police – Ted Philips. Conservation Commission – Laura Nelson. Planning Board—Keith Garte. Zoning Board of Appeals—Chuck Goodman. Board of Health—Maria Anderson. Priorities—Ira Miller and Chuck Goodman.
18. Gordon Gladstone reported that the Middle School will be ready for school start.
19. OLD BUSINESS
20. Document from Planning Board for easier understanding of zoning requirements had not been received. Chuck Goodman suggested committee hire consultant to review Planning Board’s items for Finance Committee.
21. Laura Nelson requested an estimate on number of school children in Post Office Square apartment project but not use same estimating process that was used for Avalon Bay. What impact would there be on schools?
22. Finance Committee vacancy. One open position. Review candidates at next meeting.
23. The next meeting will be September 13, 2010.
24. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
25. VOTED: 8-0-0.
26. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.