Sturbridge Finance Committee

Meeting Minutes

April 23, 2009

Senior Center

7:00 pm

Meeting was called to order at 7:01pm  with the following members present: Kevin Smith (KS), Larry Morrison (LM), Bob Williams (BW), Virginia Stallone (VS), Mary Redetzke (MR), Mike Serio (MS), and Patricia Affenito (PA).

Jim Malloy and Mary Blanchard are also present.

Motion to approve the 3/10/09 meeting minutes, as written, made by VS, seconded by KS, so moved 5-0-2.

Motion to approve the 3/11/09 meeting minutes, as written, made by LM, seconded by MS, so moved 7-0-0.

Motion to approve the 3/12/09 meeting minutes, as amended to include the following motion: “Motion to transfer $1000 from the Reserve Fund to Veterans Benefits #15432-57700 made by LM, seconded by VS, so moved 6-0-0.”

made by MS, seconded by VS, so moved 6-0-0.

Motion to approve the 3/16/09 meeting minutes, as amended to include the attachment, made by MR, seconded by VS, so moved 4-0-3.

Motion to approve the 3/17/09 meeting minutes, as written, made by MR, seconded by LM, so moved 7-0-0.

Motion to transfer $2200 from the Reserve Fund to FinCom: Purchase of Services #11312-52000 made by LM, seconded by VS, so moved 7-0-0.  This will print additional copies of the FY2010 FinCom Report.

Motion to approve Special Town Meeting Article 75 made by VS, seconded by LM, so moved 7-0-0.

Discussion:

Agreement reached with Southbridge for the flow: instead of being billed as 1 meter @ the highest rate, Sturbridge will be billed an average rate for residential and an average rate for commercial on the gravity flow.  There are no clauses for termination penalties with 2 year notice.

Sturbridge may be able to rescind another $50-60k in another year.

We have a fully prepared design for sewer if the need arises for it in the future.

The question arose whether to revote the WWTP gpd now that Southbridge is not an issue: Jim Malloy indicated no because the gpd usage used for all the calculations at that time, is now much higher.

Mass Hwy expects at least 5 years life on the repaving of Rte 131.  If there is a problem with Southbridge during this 5 years and Sturbridge has to put a new sewer line on Rte 131, Mass Hwy would require us to repave the road from side to side and not just fill in.  Expected cost > $1million.

Sturbridge bought 300k gpd  but only uses about 42 gpd -> we are far below our limit.

Rescind vs. Leave In:

If left in, it lessens our borrowing capacity.

Is it wise to rely on Southbridge?

Should we still build our own line and omit Southbridge?

Costs will go up later but the Selectmen have voted to stop the new sewer line.  Therefore, there is no need to keep it in.

Much hesitation to rescind the debt!

Consensus made to adjourn ATM until 6/8/09 and delay vote on the budget until more information is available.

Special Town Meeting Article 35: Nonbinding Question: Motion to not provide a Finance Committee Recommendation at the Special Town Meeting on this article since its intent is to garner the opinion of the townspeople made by VS, seconded by LM, so moved 7-0-0.

Meeting adjourned at 8:08 pm.

Respectively submitted,

Patricia Affenito