Sharon town budget: Public comment open until April 28

SHARON —A request from Town Clerk Linda Amerighi for the purchase of a map photocopier was discussed and voted upon at the regular meeting of the Sharon Board of Finance on Tuesday, April 7.

Board of Finance Chair Karen Dignacco detailed the projected benefits to the town of the copier and the merits of leasing or purchasing the item.

Under the present system, employees need to assemble maps from copies made on a smaller copier, tape them together, and trim the edges with scissors. In addition to other advantages, having an actual map copier would save staff time.

Following detailed discussion, the board decided to reinstate the copier as its own line item in the proposed 2020-21 budget for the town.

As there was little difference between the cost of leasing or purchasing and because purchasing the unit would include a far longer service contract, among other advantages, the board decided to propose purchasing the unit for a total cost of $14,288.

Explaining the need for the town to get a map copier, Amerighi said that the town will be “preparing for a digital future today.”

Although it would be possible to charge fees for some copies, Amerighi does not see the copier as a revenue source.  Most copies are made for the town’s building office.

“Our job is to provide taxpayers with a service,” she said, adding however, that revenue from the machine would be expected to pay for supplies of paper and ink.

The proposed town budget will soon be posted on the town website, where residents will have the opportunity to comment on the budget until Tuesday, April 28.

On Tuesday, May 5, the Board of Finance will hold an online meeting to discuss residents’ comments and take action on the budget. That meeting is expected to begin at 6:30 p.m.