HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCMeetingMinutes_08.24.06 Finance Committee ("FinCom")Meeting Minutes
August 24, 2006
Attendance: Acting Chairman Mike Batsimm, Melinda Coppa, Mark Nichols, Eva Hamori, Ellis Fitzpatrick and
Mike Giarratano (arriving at 6:57pm) were in attendance. Town Moderator Charles Salisbury and Town Manager
Mark Rees (arriving at 6:38pm) also attended the meeting.
L Call to Order: Acting Chairman Mike Batsimm ("MB") called the meeting to order at 6:32pm.
III. New Business:
A. Welcome New Members: Charles Salisbury("CS") introduced newly appointed member Ellis Fitzpatrick.
After a brief discussion CS gave the members an update on the remaining appointments.
B. Moderator's Report: CS asked the members for their opinions on Special Town Meeting and ways to
improve the process. Following this discuss, CS left the meeting and MB returned to the agenda.
II. Minutes of Last Meeting—July 10: Mark Nichols made a motion, seconded by Eva Hamori to approve the
minutes as provided in the handout. The motion carried, 5-0-1 with Ellis Fitzpatrick abstaining.
III.New Business:
C. Officer and Sub-Committee EIections: Mark Nichols made a motion to nominate Mike Batsimm as
Chairman of the Finance Committee for Fiscal Year 2007. Eva Hamori seconded the motion. After a brief
discussion, the motion carried unanimously. Mark Nichols then made a motion nominating Melinda Coppa as
Vice-Chairman of the Finance Committee for Fiscal Year 2007. Eva Hamori provided the second and the
motion carried unanimously. MB then moved the discussion to a replacement Secretary. A discussion ensued
on the level of detail needed and wanted. Eva Hamori expressed a willingness to take notes on the computer.
Melinda Coppa suggested Mike Giarratano do the editing. After a brief discussion,Mark Nichols made a
motion, seconded by Melinda Coppa, to nominate Eva Hamori as Secretary until September 30, 2006. The
motion carried unanimously. The discussion shifted to nominating representatives to the Revenue and Fixed
Cost Committee and the Budget Communication Group. Melinda Coppa made a motion to nominate Ellis
Fitzpatrick and Mark Nichols to the Revenue Fixed Cost Committee, with Mike Giarratano as an alternate.
The motion carried 5-0-1 with Ellis Fitzpatrick abstaining. MB then informed the group of Steve Dawe and
Melinda Coppa's desire to represent the FinCom on the Budget Communication Group with Eva Hamori and
himself as alternates. Ellis Fitzpatrick moved to approve this selection. Mark Nichols provided the second
and the motion carried unanimously.
D. Town Manager Report: Mark Rees touched base on the departure of the Finance Director, the status of
Osgood Landing and the lack of need to hold a Special Town Meeting in the fall. A brief discussion ensued
on the Town's problems in closing the books and Free Cash estimates.
E. Communication: The members agreed to request a final budget and list of cuts from both the Town Manager
and Superintendent of Schools. Projects for the FinCom should include those provided in the handout(III.F.)
and improvements to the budget format with updated forecasts from all departments. The members also
discussed ways to improve communication with the public. The members did not take any action on any of
the ideas shared.
IV.Next Meeting: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 6:30pm.
V. Adjournment: At 8:16pm Mike Giarratano made a motion, seconded by Eva Hamori, to adjourn. The motion
-rnimously passed.
Approved: Vote: X: