2012-09-20-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 20, 2012 • Annual Town Report: ACTION ITEM: Glenn Parker will prepare Committee material for the Town Report. 2. Election of Officers: Robert Cohen nominated and Richard Neumeier seconded reelection of the current roster of officers: Glenn Parker, Chair; Joe Pato, Vice Chair; John Bartenstein, Vice Chair and Secretary. It was noted that there are no term limits, and members serve on the committee at the pleasure of the Town Moderator. It was suggested that the chairmanship could be rotated, perhaps on a five year basis. Glenn Parker noted that this is his third year as Chair. VOTE: The extension of the terms of the current roster of officers was approved, 8 -0. 3. Minutes: Minutes of the meetings held on 2/29/12 minutes and 4/23/12 were reviewed and approved. 4. Liaison and Other Committee Reports: Board of Selectmen: Joe Pato reported that health care costs were discussed at a recent Selectmen's meeting. $600,000 in savings is anticipated when comparing the most recent projection to the $21+ million originally budgeted for FY13. The savings result from employees selecting less expensive health care plans than had been anticipated. The current projection for FY13 health care costs totals $20.34 million, compared with the $20.32 million actually spent in FYI 0. The overall savings attributable to joining the state's GIC program, as opposed to continuing with the health care programs offered in the past, is now calculated to be $4.4 million minus the costs of migrating employees to the new program. The Selectmen also discussed the pros and cons of a fall special town meeting. The Selectmen must set the tax rate and residential /commercial split by some time in December. Based on current budget projections, they could: (1) choose to not tax to the full amount of the Proposition 2'/2 limits; (2) allow surplus funds to flow to free cash at the close of FY13; or (3) hold a special town meeting and recommend appropriation of the surplus funds for additional projects. Agenda items at such a special town meeting might include budget adjustments, funding road improvements around Estabrook School, and a TMMA- sponsored by -law amendment to allow electronic voting at Town Meeting. Finally, the Selectmen discussed the potential need to hold a special town meeting in early 2013 to address the possible purchase of the National Heritage Museum land on Marrett Road. However, they prefer to avoid two special town meetings before next spring. If they have a fall special town meeting, they are looking at November 19, which means the warrant would have to be ready by November 5. Appropriation Committee members identified possible uses for excess funds, 2