 |
Southern
Berkshire Regional School Committee
Mt. Everett Regional School
Sheffield, MA
February 17, 2011
Open Public Hearing
School Committee Members: Mr. Abelow, Mr. Willig, Mr. Flynn, Mr. Valentini, Mr. Sears, Mr. McSpiritt, Ms. Mielke, Ms. Miller, Ms. Silvestri, Mr. Fetterhoff
Absent:
Administration: Dr. Singleton, Mr. Turner, Mr. Hastings, Ms. Kenyon, Mr. Devoti
Press: CTSB
Student Representatives: Taylor Garrett, Hazel Elsbach, Danielle Goewey
Others: Mr. Joseph Kellogg, Sheffield Town Administrator; Ms. Julie Hannum, Ms. Renée Wood, Mr. David Smith, Sheffield Select Board; Ms. Tara White, New Marlborough Select Board; Ms. Prudence Spaulding and Mr. Edgar Zukauskis, New Marlborough Finance Committee; Mr. Charles Ketchen, Alford Select Board Chair; Mr. Clark Rowling, UniBank, Mr. Arthur Batacchi, Ms. Michelle Loubert, Mr. William Hogelin, Mr. Michael Farmer; several other member town officials and citizens; Ms. Linda Higgins
Chairman Abelow called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. and welcomed the town officials and other audience members. He then introduced Dr. Singleton and Mr. Turner who presented the District’s proposed FY’12 Operating, Transportation, and Capital Budgets. Mr. Turner explained that the proposed budget had been updated to show assessments using a 75%-25% proportion rolling average calculations for the amount above minimum contributions, as agreed in the Restated Regional Agreement for the 2011-12 transitional year.
A lengthy question and answer session took place. Sheffield and New Marlborough Town Officials voiced disappointment that the District’s budget had not taken a more significant drop for FY’12, with the bonds having been paid off. Ms. Hannum, Ms. Wood, and Mr. Zukauskis all requested that the Committee look further and try to make significant cuts. Ms. Wood also requested that the Committee think about the FY’13 budget when they look again.
Mr. Abelow then introduced Clark H. Rowell, Vice President of UniBank Financial Advisory Services, Inc. Mr. Rowell explained the procedures for the issuing of bonds from the perspectives of both the School District and the towns. He offered to answer any questions, but he also advised the town officials to check with their own town counsel. A question and answer session followed. Several town officials expressed disappointment that the annual town meetings were beyond the sixty day limit for the towns put the bonding on their warrants, should they wish to do so. They also stressed the importance of having the bond payments excluded from Proposition 2 ½ . Mr. Kellogg requested that the School Committee take a voluntary vote to wait until all five towns have held their annual town meetings
before going forward with issuing bonds. Following additional discussion, Mr. Steindler asked that the School Committee vote to allow the towns to put the issue on their annual town meeting warrants, rather than holding special meetings. School Committee members expressed a willingness to work with the towns, but stated that they wished to consult with counsel prior to making a decision. Mr. Abelow stated that the Committee would not wish to go forward with the borrowing unless the towns voted to exclude from Proposition 2 ½ .
On a motion by Mr. Sears, seconded by Mr. Flynn, the Hearing adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
| |
