HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCMeetingMinutes_04.07.04 FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 7,2004
ATTENDANCE: The following members were present:Jack Watkins, Chairman,Keith Mitchell,Vice
Chairman,Bernice Fink,Paula Porten,Paul Stewart,Mark Nichols,Mike Batsimm and Steve Dawe. Melinda
Coppa arrived at$:15 after most of the votes.
CALL TO ORDER: Jack called the meeting at 6:30pm
NEW BUSINESS:
At the beginning of the meeting,Jack commented on the record regarding the 1305 meeting. He said that members
of the Board of Selectmen have recently stated that the reason the budget process went smoothly was due to the fact
that there were no common meetings attended by the School Committee,the Board of Selectmen,and the Finance
Committee. He stated that not only is such a statement overly simplistic,it diminishes the hard work done by
members of the FinCom over the last six months.
Jack further said that while he agreed that the budget was reached more efficiently because the BoS was not
involved,he believes that the BoS's choice to exclude themselves from the process further erodes the Town's ability
to develop a strong long-term financial plan.
WARRANT ARTICLE VOTES:
Articles 3-7,Amendments to the '04 budget: Paul MOVED to vote on these warrant articles at Town Meeting and
Mike seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Article S, Prior unpaid bills: Paul MOVED to vote at or before Town meeting and Mike seconded. The vote was
unanimous.
Article 9, Compensation for elected officials: The group voted unanimously in favor of this article at the 411104
meeting.
Article 10, General Fund Appropriations: Steve MOVED to amend this article to add$9,000 to Veterans Services
for cemetery lots and Keith seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Article 11,CIP budget. Paul MOVED to approve the CIP budget and Keith seconded. The motion was approved
5-1-2 with Paula and Steve abstaining and"B"voting no.
Article 12,Water Enterprise Fund: Paul MOVED to approve as amended and Keith seconded. The vote was
unanimous.
Article 13, Sewer Enterprise Fund: Paul MOVED to approve and Keith seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Article 14, Stevens Estate:Paul MOVED to approve and Keith seconded. The motion was approved 7-0-1,with"B"
abstaining.
Article 15,Revolving Funds:Paul MOVED to approve and Mike seconded.The vote was unanimous.
Article 16,Vets and Indigent Lots:Keith MOVED to approve with Paula seconding. The motion was approved 6-
0-2 with Jack and Mike abstaining.
Article 17,CPC report: Paul MOVED to vote at or before Town Meeting with Keith seconding. The vote was
unanimous.
Article 18,CPC: Paul MOVED to vote at or before Town Meeting and Keith seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Article 19,Great Pond Road acquisition of land: Keith MOVED to vote at or before Town meeting with Mike
seconding. The vote was unanimous.
Article 20-22. The Fincom takes no action.
Article 23,TIF:Keith MOVED to vote at or before Town meeting and mark seconded. The motion was approved
6-0-2 with Paul and B"abstaining.
Article 24,Change name of N.A.:Mike MOVED to vote unfavorable with Mark seconding. The motion passed 5-
2-1 with Jack and Keith voting no and Paul abstaining.
Article 25,Revenue expense committee: Keith MOVED to approve with Paula seconding.The vote was
unanimous.
Article 26,Budget presentation:Paul MOVED to approve with Mark seconding. The vote passed 5-1-2 with Jack
voting no and`B"and Mike abstaining.
Articles 27 and 28,Amend charter,warrant changes: Paul MOVED to approve and Keith seconded. The votes
were unanimous.
Article 29:No action by Fincom
Article 30,Public employees in military: Steve MOVED to approve with Keith seconding. The motion was
approved 6-0-2 with`B"and Jack abstaining.
Article 31, Indemnify fire and police: Keith MOVED to approve and Paul seconded.The vote was unanimous.
Article 32, Town code refuse: Paul MOVED to approve and Mike seconded. The motion passed 7-1-0 with`B"
voting no.
Article 33,Citizen participation petition: Paul MOVED to vote unfavorable action with Mark seconding. The
motion passed 6-2 with Paula and Steve voting no.
Article 34,Underground utilities:Jack MOVED to approve and Paul seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Articles 35-48: No action
Articles 49-56:Paul MOVED to vote at or before Town meeting and Mark seconded. The vote was unanimous.
WARRANT BOOK: The group then reviewed the warrant book and Paul was recognized for all of his hard
work.
Steve discussed excluded debt and asked the Fincom members if they recalled whether or not any portion of Sargent
School being paid with excluded debt.
NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting is scheduled for April 15,2004 at 6:30pm at the temporary town hall.
ADJOURNMENT:
Keith MOVED to adjourn the meeting and Steve seconded.The vote was unanimous.