1981-05-26-AC-ATM-rpt - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT -2- As the Town Meeting Members face the 1981 Town Meeting under the monetary restriction of 2 1/2, they should realize Lexington is indeed fortunate in many ways, compared to many cities and towns . The actual operating budget of the Town has been kept under control for the past few years, with increases mostly in the ne- gotiated salary budgets and uncontrollables such as fuel, light, etc. Many of the items which have contributed to our increasing tax rate during the last few years were not in the service area, but in the direction or more or better equipment, swimming pool, etc. , which can be easily eliminated temporarily to comply with tight budget restrictions . The School Committee has also greatly contributed to our good financial condition by facing up to the reality of a greatly_ reduced student body. Buildings have appropriately been closed despite the unpopularity of the moves and the savings have been very large. The. School Committee has also reduced the size of its staff in proportion to the decline in school population, thus maintaining the same student-teacher ratio during this era. When this Committee first examined the 1982 F.Y.. Budget we were very pleased at the effort that had. been made to hold down the Town Operating Budget and the School Committee Budget not withstanding the nigh inflation rate of- the past year, particularly in the uncontroll- able costs. _: We feel that the Selectmen, Town Manager, School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools should be praised for their efforts in - this direction. We only hope that the next few years will not be too critical for us. It. would be unfortunate for all if we have to cut too deeply into the services rendered to the Citizens of Lexington in- the near future. Moreover, the Appropriation Committee feels that there is still reasonable opportunity for additional small cuts in the .Operating _ -- Budget for both the Town and Schools in the coming fiscal. year. _ It is clear to everyone that all services rendered to the citizens in both the above categories are not equally important and effective. Thus small cuts in some items would not markedly change the effectiveness of services to the consumer public . However, the Committee feels that the Ordering of the priorities and thus the designation of those items to be cut in this instance should be the function of the Committees responsible for the opera- tions . The Selectmen and School Committee should thus be the origina tors of the recommendations presented to the Town Meeting. Two weeks ago, the Appropriation Committee were prepared to make the following recommendations so that Lexington would meet the short-fall of approximately $354, 000 . 1. Cut the Lexpress from $207, 000 .(which is their estimate of needed subsidy before new bids have been opened) to $90, 000 . This is the figure the Town Meeting voted two years ago when they raised their request from $50 , 000 to $90, 000 in order to give the idea its maximum poten- tial as a useful and nearly self-supporting service for 9 1/2 months . The $90, 000 gives practically 12 bus/ hours per day (Est. $30. 00 per hour) without any cost to the rider . With a good fare structure it could provide very reasonable service to the elderly and commuters, with a little judicious thought as to the method of operation for a full year. This was the original purpose of the Lexpress concept.