HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCMeetingMinutes_11.13.03 FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
NOVEMBER 13,2003
ATTENDANCE: The following members were present: Jack Watkins,Chairman,Keith Mitchell,
Vice Chairman,Bernice Fink,Paula Porten,Melinda Coppa,Mark Nichols,Paul Stewart, Mike Batsimm
and Steve Dawe. Also in attendance were: Mark Rees,Town Manager; Joyce Hanlon,Director of
Finance and Administration; Wendy Wakeman, Chairman,BOS;Rosemary Smedile, Selectman;Jim
Gordon,Bob Ercolini,Jack Graham and Elaine Finbury.
CALL TO ORDER:
Jack called the meeting at 6:30.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
Mike MOVED to approve the minutes of October 30,2003.Mark Nichols seconded and the vote was
unanimous. Mike MOVED to approve the minutes of November 6,2003.Mark Nichols seconded and the
vote was unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS:
The group discussed and voted on the Warrant Articles for Special Town Meeting.
The group began with Article 1 with Mark Rees speaking in favor of his proposals,then Wendy Wakeman
speaking in favor of Mark Rees' proposals and then Bob Ercolini providing a handout of his proposed
motion for Article 1. Bob Ercolini also stated that his submitted Articles 8 and 9 would not be going
forward and he was withdrawing Articles 10 and 11.Elaine Finbury then spoke in favor of Article 21 with
Wendy Wakeman also speaking in favor of Article 21. Elaine explained that she represented Architectural
Heritage Foundation and that they would be investing$2.5 million into The Stevens Estate and concentrate
on weddings.
Article 1 was then discussed by the group and Keith MOVED to not recommend Article 1 which was
seconded by"B". The Motion passed 7-2 with Jack and Steve voting against the Motion. Steve stated that
he voted no because he wanted the free cash money to be moved into stabilization rather than leaving it in
free cash.
Article 2 was next discussed and Paul MOVED to approve Article 2 with the language"Increase the
amount authorized to be borrowed using`Bonds/Notes-General from$273,000 to$293,900 or less."Keith
seconded and the motion passed 8-1,with"B"voting no.
Article 3. Keith MOVED to vote unfavorable on Article 3 with Mark Nichols seconding. The vote was
unanimous.
Article 4.Keith MOVED not to recommend Article 4 with Melinda seconding. The vote was unanimous.
Article 5.Keith MOVED not to recommend Article 5 with Mark Nichols seconding. The vote was
unanimous.
Article 6. Keith MOVED to vote in favor of Article 6 with Melinda seconding. The vote was unanimous.
Article 7. Paul MOVED to approve Article 7 with the language "to appropriate$266,936 or less...and be
authorizes to borrow balance...."With Paula seconding. The motion failed 5-4 with Paula,Mark Nichols,
Paul and Keith voting to approve. The group then agreed to revote prior to Town Meeting since bids were
taking place Monday and there would be an exact figure on the cost.
Article 8. Mike MOVED not to recommend Article 8 with Melinda seconding. The vote was unanimous.
Article 9.Mike MOVED not to recommend Article 9 with Mark Nichols seconding. The vote was
unanimous.
Article 10. Skipped
Article 11. Melinda MOVED to recommend unfavorable action with Keith seconding. The vote was
unanimous.
Article 12.Paul MOVED to recommend favorable action on Article 12 with Mark Nichols seconding.The
vote was unanimous.
Article 13. Keith MOVED to postpone the vote until Town Meeting with Mike seconding. The vote
passed 8-1 with Steve voting no.
Article 14.Paul MOVED to recommend favorable action on Article 14 with Mike seconding. The vote
passed 8-0-1 with`B"abstaining.
Article 15.Paul MOVED to recommend favorable action on Article 15 with mark Nichols seconding. The
vote passed 7-0-2 with Steve and`B"abstaining.
Article 16.Paul MOVED to recommend favorable action on Article 16 with Mike seconding. The vote
passed 8-0-1 with"B"abstaining.
Article 17. Skipped
Article 18. Skipped
Article 19. Skipped
Article 20.`B"MOVED to recommend unfavorable action on Article 20 and Mike seconded. The vote
passed 6-0-3 with Paul,Mark Nichols and Steve abstaining.
Article 21. Paull MOVED to recommend unfavorable action on Article 21 with Jack seconding. The Vote
failed 2-6-1,with Paul and Jack voting in favor of the motion and`B"abstaining. The group then further
discussed Article 21 and Keith MOVED to recommend favorable action on Article 2I with Mark Nichols
seconding. The vote passed 6-1-2 with Jack voting no and`B"and Paul abstaining.
Article 22. Skipped
Article 23. Skipped
Article 24. Steve MOVED to recommend favorable action on Article 24 with mark Nichols seconding.The
vote was unanimous.
The group then discussed Jack's appointment to the New Police Station Feasibility Committee and Paul's
handout regarding any conflict of interest with Jack on this committee. It was agreed that there was no
conflict with Steve stating for the record"there is no better person in this town or any other, and I mean this
sincerely,than Jack to serve on the Police Station Committee" Paul then MOVED to have the Fincom
thank Jack for his efforts with Keith seconding. The vote was unanimous.
NEXT MEETING:
The group will meet on November 17,203 at 6:00pm at the Middle School prior to Town Meeting.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:35pm.