FINANCE COMMITTEE

Judge Welsh Hearing Room

April 26, 2007

3:30 p.m.

Members Present: Frederick Biddle (arr 3:45), Thomas Coen,

Edward Gage, Ruth Gilbert, Tom Thurston,

and Walt Winnowski.

Members Absent: David Bedard, Gary Delius, Alice Foley,

Virginia Ross, and Robert Vetrick.

Others: Alex Heilala, and Sharon Lynn, Town Manager

The meeting was called to order at 3:32 p.m. by Ruth Gilbert, Acting Chair.

R. Gilbert said that the first order of the day was an informal meeting with Sharon Lynn, the new Town Manager and felt that this was a great opportunity to formulate a relationship with her.

R. Gilbert also conveyed apologies from Gary Delius (Chair) who was in Beth Israel for a series of tests for two fractured verterbrae. G. Delius thinks he will be there for only a couple of days until they decide on a course of treatment.

The second order of business was that – after the meeting with S. Lynn – we will be correcting and amending the outstanding minutes of previous meetings.

R. Gilbert began by asking S. Lynn what her experiences are in operating with finance committees. S. Lynn wanted to comment on the finance committee’s reports that she had received from Cheryl Andrews, chair of the Board of Selectmen. She did attend the first night of town meeting and was impressed with all the work that the FinCom does; she is looking forward to working with the committee.

S. Lynn then went on to describe the township where she came from and how they handled budgetary matters. She is very familiar with the MUNIS system and an enthusiastic advocate of it. Overall her former area had lots of businesses, lots of industry, and was an engaged town but not as engaged as here! When her overview concluded, R. Gilbert then asked each member for their input and/or questions.

Each member then asked questions and had comments on their own experiences.

One telling comment on the Town’s finances came from Tom Coen who owns property both in Provincetown and in Boston. He said that his Town taxes on his property have rocketed past his Boston property.

Ruth Gilbert, in conclusion, welcomed Sharon Lynn and said that she and the entire committee are looking forward to an open working relationship with the new town manager. She also said that S. Lynn should feel free to call upon the FinCom for any questions and/or problems that she encounters.

The new Town Manager said that she will need a reserve fund request – the copy machine quit – after 6 years!

This ended the get together and minutes were handed out.

Respectfully submitted,

Evelyn Gaudiano

Evelyn Rogers Gaudiano

Approved by ____________________________on ______________, 2007

Ruth Gilbert, Acting Chair