TOWN OF HARVARD
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Minutes
Meeting Date: Aug 14, 2007
Meeting Place: Hapgood Room-Old Library
Members Present: Steve Colwell, Marie Crowley-Sobalvarro, Terry Mead, George McKenna,
Debbie Ricci (Chair), Cindy Russo
Others: Tim Bragan, Town Administrator, Lorraine Leonard, Finance Director
Meeting Time: 7:38pm
Adjournment Time: 9:03 pm
Discussions and Actions
George McKenna and Terry Mead will not be voting on any action until the term appointments have been made through Doc Westerling.
Minutes of June 26 and July 12 were edited and approved.
Lorraine Leonard presented the changes in the FY08 budget at or since the April Town Meeting. Mainly due to changes in state charges and state aid, the bottom line availability of funds is estimated at $129,971. This figure was reduced by $30,000 to compensate for low estimates of local receipts of vehicle excise tax and trash permits.
Tim Bragan updated the FinCom on the BOS meeting. The selectmen have requested a Tri-board meeting to discuss the override amount on September 4.
The FinCom voted to support the BOS’s decision not to fund contracts with one-time funds. (Vote 3-0-1 )
In preparation for the Special Town Meeting of Oct. 3, the following dates were scheduled.
Ballot questions will be voted on Sept. 11
Ballot will be sent to printers on Sept. 12
BOS must sign the Warrant by Sept. 18
No date has been assigned to close the Warrant.
- FinCom members discussed preparing and mailing an information packet prior to the Special town meeting to explain the history and changes in the budget, the necessity of an override, the funding sources and the effect on the tax rate that the previous Overrides approved at the Annual Town Meeting ( April3,2007) and this proposed Over ride will mean to the average tax bill. Tim and Lorraine will work on a draft of the mailing. The committee will work on this at the meeting on Sept 11 and will schedule a meeting on Sat. Sept 15th to finalize the mailing.
The FinCom voted to request funds from the BOS for a small mailing for the Special Town Meeting.( 4-0-0)
Lorraine Leonard updated the committee on the FY08 Out of district placements (Special Needs-Schools). Numbers indicate running at a deficit of $65,535 to start the school year off with the current placements. There is no estimated savings in the Special Educational budget for FY08.
Lorraine Leonard reviewed the Reserve Fund Transfer Request form which will be used in the budget process for all departments. Some additions to the form were suggested.
Committee members are to review the Devens Acceptance Criteria document and send any comments or suggested changes to Tim Bragan. These will be forwarded to the BOS. The Joint boards will then approve the document.
Marie S. reported that citizens can pass a Prop 2 ½ override to dedicate money for Stabilization Fund and in successive years funds will automatically go to the Stabilization Funds.
| 
