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TOWN OF HARVARD
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Minutes
Meeting Date: Jan 7, 2009
Meeting Place: Town Hall
Members Present: Steve Colwell, Terry Mead, Marie Crowley Sobalvarro, Bob Thurston
George McKenna,Chair, Lori Granville, Marie Fagan
Others: Tim Bragan, Town Administrator, Lorraine Leonard, Finance Director
Associate members Paul von Loesecke, Collyn Bradley
Meeting Time: 7.30 pm
Adjournment Time: 8:25 pm
Discussions and Actions
- Minutes from Dec 3 meeting not available to accept; we will take care of that at next meeting.
- Fim Com offered commendations and sincere thanks to the Town departments for their excellent work in the wake of the ice storm.
- Lorraine Leonard reviewed FY09 Dec 08 year-to-date: no surpluses in spending (the good news); but no shortfalls either.
- Tim Bragan provided insight on impact of State’s budget squeeze on local aid for Harvard: expect cuts on the order of $200,000-$400,000. Those cuts would have to be implemented during FY08, eg, within the next 5 months.
- George McKenna noted Harvard’s revenues are likely to fall with expectations of lower receipts from motor vehicle excise tax.
- Discussion on several individual budget items on FY09 Dec 08 YTD: George McKenna asked about the $130,000 energy expense for public buildings—what is included—it’s up from last year. Library has higher energy expenses, and is not covering them in the library budget. Lorraine clarified that the DPW expenditures don’t include contract labor for cleaning up after the ice storm; state will reimburse town 75% of storm costs.
- George McKenna clarified process of cutting budget (for FY09): If departments don’t offer enough cuts, FinCom can do across-the-board cuts; would not need to go to Town Meeting for approval unless the departments can’t agree.
- Tim Bragan provided FY10 budgets submitted so far: Town Clerk, Police, Communications, Land Use, Fire, COA, Finance, Board of Health, Public Works.
- Lorraine Leonard presented request from Board of Health to budget an additional $1,587 for the salary of part-time assistant to cover additional days worked (this increment, roughly, has been paid in previous years, but at the end of the FY not as part of the budget). Move to encumber rather than approve this increment was made by Bob Thurston; Steve Colwell seconded. Passed (7-0).
- Tim Bragan said this year will print budget books on newsprint paper to save money; and fewer copies.
- Committee reports: George McKenna reported Getty Land working group meeting this week, he will report back after meeting.
- George McKenna announced the next FinCom meeting will be Sat Jan 10th, 9:00 AM, Town Hall Meeting Room; FIAT meeting Tues Jan 13th; Tri-Board Meeting Sat Jan 17th.
- Move to adjourn at 8:25 pm.
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