1. Chair Joe Bierwirth called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM.
2. The Committee reviewed and approved the minutes from the 1/22/08 meeting.
3. Warrant Articles
Joe distributed the complete list of 60 warrant articles, including Committee assignments to date. 
4. School Building Project Update
Mike Barclay reported that the Special Town Meeting is now scheduled for 3/3/08, the ballot vote is scheduled for 3/8/08, and the construction bids for the new elementary school are to be opened on 3/19/08. Committee members continued to express concern that the final cost of the project, as well as the reimbursement rate from the MSBA, will not be known by the Special Town Meeting or the ballot vote. 
The updated analysis of the tax impact of the proposed debt exclusion, plus the tax impact of the probable 2009 operating cost override, was distributed. The analysis of the prospective operating cost override does not incorporate the assumption of full-day kindergarten that the new elementary school is intended to accommodate; Mike will ask that this be incorporated into the analysis. 
5. Residential Tax Exemption
Joe suggested that the Committee might consider a discussion and vote on the topic of the Residential Tax Exemption program being considered by the Selectmen. No decision was made.
6. Library Report
Dennis Corcoran, along with Amy Farrell and members of the Library Board of Trustees, presented the Library budget and updated the Committee on the following significant Library issues:
- The HVAC systems continue to be somewhat more costly to maintain than the scheduled budget line item. Due to the town's current financial situation, no additional funds will be allocated to this line item in this year's budget, but Dennis anticipates that a Reserve Fund transfer will be required to cover these costs.
- The Library's endowment (approximately $1,000,000) is half of what it was before the Library construction project. The Trustees are attempting to build it back up to the previous level of $2,000,000.
- The Trustees currently contribute the major share of the funds used to purchase new books and other materials, which must be purchased on an annual basis in order to maintain the Library's accreditation. The Trustees may discontinue this practice in a few years in order to dedicate their contributions to extraordinary needs rather than ongoing operating expenses. If this transpires, the Town will have to increase the Library's annual budget in order to maintain level services.
- As liaison, Amy suggested a meeting or series of meetings be arranged between the Trustees, representatives of the Town and the Library director to discuss the expected roles and contributions of the Trustees and the Town, respectively, toward future funding of the Library's operating and capital needs.  The Trustees expressed interest and a willingness to engage in a dialogue with the Town on these issues.
7. Trustees of the Bathing Beach Report
Irma Lauter introduced Peter Fee, one of the Trustees of the Bathing Beach. Peter gave a brief report, then he responded to Jack Manning's questions about the relations between the Trustees and the Harbor Development Committee. All present expressed an interest in seeing improved communication and cooperation between the two groups.
8. Veterans' Services Report
Amy Farrell presented the budget for the Veterans' Services department. The Committee discussed the nature of the reimbursement that the Town receives from the State for the Benefits line item, and Amy noted that the current draft of the State's "Cherry Sheet" does not appear to include this reimbursement.
(Subsequent to the meeting, Charlie Cristello informed the Committee that the omission was an error and that the State has recognized its reimbursement obligation.) 
9. Culture and Recreation Budgets
The Advisory Committee voted favorably on the following Culture and Recreation operating budgets, as shown in Attachment A. All votes were unanimous, except Jack Manning voted against the Trustees of the Bathing Beach payroll and expense budgets, and he asked to be recorded: 
- Library
- Trustees of the Bathing Beach
- Celebrations
10. Human Services Budgets
The Advisory Committee voted favorably on the following Human Services operating budgets, as shown in Attachment A:
- Health Department
- Department of Elder Services
- Veterans' Services
- Womansplace Crisis Center
- South Shore Women's Center

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:30 PM.
The next Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for 2/5/08, 7:30 PM. Meetings will continue thereafter on a weekly basis, Tuesday evenings, 7:30 PM, unless otherwise scheduled.

Respectfully submitted,
Jerry Seelen, Secretary