Finance Committee Minutes – 22 February 2007, Town Hall
Meeting called to order at 7:40 p.m.
Members present: Colwell, Donovan, McKenna, Mead, Ricci, Russo, Sobalvarro
Administrators Present: Bragan, Leonard
CPC Projects Overview (presented by Don Boyce of the CPC):
Current status of account is $539k; if everything passed, they’d have spent $411k, with $124k remaining, of which $36k would be the reserves.
Harvard Housing Authority:
- working with a consultant regarding getting more money for $25k
- open question regarding what else has occurred since then; last year $30k expended; $15k spent prior to that for a feasibility study.
- Lorraine to follow-up what has occurred thus far, and the remaining balance.
Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund:
The benefit of the trust versus leaving the dollars in reserve is that the trust is not constrained by a Town Meeting, so that when an opportunity presents itself, they can act.
- A trust and Federal TIN exists.
- The goal is to purchase existing housing stock and convert into affordable units; much of their work is to perform the up-front investigation of housing stock.
- ‘The beneficiaries of the trust are low and moderate-income households.’
Conservation Fund:
Typically only requested $100k; this year they’re requesting $200k.
Harvard Park and Rec:
Question regarding where the trail is going; Depot Road to Lancaster County Road.
Bare Hill Rowing:
Question regarding whether the boathouse would be accessible to the public.
Shaker Herb Drying Shed:
Request is for both chimney and roof for $16k; work to be performed by the Bennett Street School.
Rational behind $5k reserve stated; questions were asked regarding the “Community Preservation Coalition,’ and the membership fee for this entity. There is no specific goal for these monies; the reserve would *not* be applied to secretarial support.
Library Overview:
Tim, Steve, Ginger, Mary Wilson, and Roy Moffa met last night to discuss the library budget. The library has concerns regarding the outsourcing of the facilities manager role to the jurisdiction of the DPW position
An open question is where the dollars associated with the Facilities Manager position have been moved, if this position is now falling under Rich Nota’s jurisdiction.
An open discussion occurred regarding the grade increases, and the timing with the override.
Need to determine what’s being carried in the budget for the library, and where it is in the budget (e.g., the heat, the facilities manager, the benefits).
Stabilization Fund:
$1.8M with $200k for ambulance. Current school deficit is $250k plus $100k circuit breaker extraordinary aid reimbursement.
How much to request for the article. Requesting an additional $225k for the reserve fund.
Lorraine to follow-up with the schools regarding expected (potential) reserve fund transfers that the schools require.
CASE transport question regarding what and where they’ll take kids.
SPED Task force update: FinComm to submit to the selectmen a modified warrant by Tuesday.
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