PRESENT:     Selectmen Joseph A. Sergi, Patrick J. McNabb, and Joseph M. Hallisey III; John Moak, Town Administrator; Peggy Mazzola, Administrative Assistant; Finance Committee Members Chris DeSimone, Chris Johnson, Michael Landino, Alan Leao, Holly Seiferth, Melissa Tzanoudakis, George Zacharakis; many department heads and several residents

The meeting was called to order at 8:05 AM.

Mr. Moak opened the meeting and asked the department heads to stand and introduce themselves.

FinCom Chair Chris DeSimone outlined the budget process.  Mr. DeSimone thanked the school district as well as department heads for holding the line on their budgets.  Mr. DeSimone introduced the members of the FinCom.

Mr. Moak introduced Town Accountant Tom Wilson.  Mr. Moak showed a PowerPoint presentation outlining among other things the challenges we’ve faced over the years and how we’re addressing those challenges.  Mr. Moak then explained the handouts that were available to those in attendance.

Mr. Sergi thanked Mr. Moak, the Finance Committee and Mr. Wilson, and stated department heads and the school committee should be applauded for their efforts.

Mr. McNabb commented that the PowerPoint presentation touched upon the 2012 budget and the fact we will have a $600,000 to $650,000 deficit in 2012.  Right now we don’t have the answers or a solution to the challenges, whether it be an override, cut in services or something in between.  We will get to work on this in early July and get information out to the public in the fall.

Mr. Sergi invited questions or comments from those in attendance.

John Marriner asked if tax abatements are taken into account when preparing the budget.  Mr. Wilson explained that every year there is a line in the budget called “Reserve for Abatements.”  The sum of $175,000 has been established by the Board of Assessors.

NMRSD Superintendent Dr. Maureen Marshall stated the school committee has delivered as close to a level funded assessment as it could.  Dr. Marshall explained the cuts that were made to the budget as well as decreases in Chapter 70 money.  Dr. Marshall asked that people understand the school district’s budget is down; these are difficult times; they hope to drive as many resources as possible to the classrooms and continue to provide to our students what they need.  Dr. Marshall stated they have been directed by the Department of Education to sit down with Lunenburg again to discuss regionalization and they have an obligation to comply with this directive.  It is something they may have to do to position themselves for grant help for infrastructure.

Bob Allen asked what the $5,000 for hardware was for.  Systems Administrator Joe Traverso explained the upgrades to be done to server systems in Town Hall.  Mr. Allen asked what “SCBA” equipment was. Fire Chief Toby Tyler explained.

Emergency Management Director George Ux announced that Homeland Security has given the town $13,000, and he has submitted an order.  Mr. Ux also announced that he has a telephone number for residents to call if they experienced water damage in the last two storms.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:45 AM. 

Respectfully submitted,

Peggy Mazzola, Administrative Assistant

APPROVED: BOARD OF SELECTMEN:

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Joseph A. Sergi, Chairman

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Patrick J. McNabb, Clerk

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Joseph M. Hallisey III

APPROVED: FINANCE COMMITTEE:

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Chris DeSimone, Chairman

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Chris Johnson

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Michael Landino

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Alan Leao

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Holly Seiferth

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Melissa Tzanoudakis

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George Zacharakis