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10/17/13 Minutes Minutes Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee October17,2013 : Ellen Stone Room,Cary Memorial Building,7:30p.m. : John Bartenstein, Vice Chair and Secretary; Mollie Garberg; Alan Levine;Susan McLeish; Eric Michelson; Richard Neumeier;Jonina Schonfeld;Rob Addelson (non-voting, ex officio) Members Absent:Glenn Parker, Chair; Robert Cohen In Mr. Parker’s absence, Mr. Bartenstein called the meetingto order at 7:35p.m. Minutes: 1.A motion was made to accept the September 25, 2013 Minutes as edited by Mr. Levine. The motion passed. VOTE: 6-0 A motion was made to accept the October 10, 2013 Minutes. The motion passed. VOTE: 6-0 Announcementsand Liaison Reports: 2.There were no reports or announcements. Committee Report to the November 4, 2013 Special Town Meeting (STM): 3.Mr. Bartensteinsaid that to the extent feasible, votes on the sections of the report will be taken later duringthe meeting, andthose who are absent can record their votes at the nextmeeting.Mr. Addelson noted that final recommendations for Articles 2, 3, 4, and 5 will go to the Board of Selectmen on October 21, 2013. He will distribute that information to this Committee as soon as possible. Introduction:There were no comments on the draft that Mr. Parkerhad distributed. Comments should be submitted to Mr. Parker by Saturday. Article 2, $86,554Grantfor the Schools:Ms.Garbergexplained that the School Departmentisfunding several programs withgrantsthat have been reduced in size primarily because of the federal budget sequestration.In the budget developed for and approved at the 2013 Annual Town Meeting,the Town set aside $750,000 to addresspotentialreductions in revenue from the State and federal governments,but none of those funds have yet been appropriated. Those funds currentlyform part offree cash, which was recently certified,so they are now available for appropriation.Mr. Addelson said that it may be possible to use supplemental revenue from FY2014 rather than free cashas a source forthis appropriation. It was noted that, in the past, the Town has funded programs when a grant has ended, but rarely, if ever, has there been agrant that was terminated or cut back prematurely. There was a motion to recommend approval of the portion of Article 2seeking appropriation of $86,554to fill gaps ingrant money. The motion passed. VOTE: 7-0 Article 2, Municipal Budget:Mr. Michelsonand Mr. Addelson explained that the Town Clerk’s office needs an additional $54,500 to cover expenses for the primary and general electionsto fill the congressional seat left vacant by Senator Markey. It is anticipated that there will be some state funding but the timing and amount of any reimbursements are unknown.Additionally, there is a request to transfer $40,000 within the Assessors 1