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FINANCE COMMITTEE
Minutes
Meeting Date: Jan 31, 2009
Meeting Place: Town Hall
Members Present: George McKenna (Chair) Steve Colwell, Marie Crowley Sobalvarro, Marie Fagan, Lori Granville, Terry Mead, Bob Thurston
Others Present: Associate member Collyn Bradley
Meeting Time: 9:00 am
Adjournment Time: 11:47 am
Discussions and Actions
l George McKenna opened meeting, solicited public commentary. Questions from Connie Larrabee – how much got cut for 2009? (Whole $350,000 that Tri-Board asked for); What would be process if dept heads had refused? (BOS can refuse to sign warrants for library, for example; if no cooperation from department heads, it would have to go to a vote at Town Meeting, at which FinComm would present a complete alternative budget. But George McKenna noted this is not a great way to operate, it is better to get buy-in from department heads).
l Discussion of FinCom Approach to 2010 budget process:
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l Review of DPW recurring capital plan: specific suggestion to get a list of the capital equipment at Devens (and Ayer, Shirley).
l Review of 2010 proposed state aid.
l Review of projected Tax Recap.
l ACTION ITEM: Lori Granville presented draft survey that could be administered to town residents. FinComm consensus on conducting it very soon. Action item: Each liason will contact department heads (for key departments) to develop key metrics and information sought from the town.
font>COA: Marie Crowley-Sobalvarro
l ACTION ITEM: Draft survey questions for internal FinComm review, compilation, etc due at Feb 7 meeting.
l Library Analysis presented by Lori Granville: Committee agreed key metrics and benchmarks against other towns gives helpful context for interacting with Library on their budget.
l Keith Cheverall’s “Harvard Public Schools” slides were provided, to be read later, for individual information.
l Move to adjourn at 11:47 AM.
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