1991-01-14-AC-MIN.pdf - Laserfiche WebLink

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been projected low. An alternative projection would probably show reduced interest income and reduced motor vehicle excise tax revenue . Michael O' Sullivan reported mixed messages from the state regarding local aid, whether it will be level-funded or decreased . Other budget issues discussed were the following: * Ongoing labor negotiations for the town, and the difficulty of negotiating separately for the town and the school; 4-o • the postponement of capital expenditures for the town of of one-time override; * the fact that capital postponement is a bad strategy for maintaining physical plant; * school counseling and language arts cuts that will probably be controversial in the school budget; * the controversial lighting changes proposed; * the appropriate level and the renaming of free cash ( in a 1987 study, 20 towns ' levels of free cash were examined; we will try to secure a copy) ; * in the Town Manager 's budget, the use of water enterprise funds in the general budget; and * the possibility of Pine Meadows making d payment in lieu of taxes to the town . In the final few minutes, George Burnell discussed general strategy, saying that our fiscal responsibilities have to be undertaken with a knowledge of the political realities . The schools need to examine the demographics, and project extra classrooms needed as well as per capita student costs and student/teacher ratios . Budget constraints must take into account both staffing levels and wage increases . Our Committee does not have definitive solutions; rather, Town meeting must demand from town and school managers their solutions to how to operate in the current economic reality. Future Meetings Scheduled : (All Mondays ) January 28 7 : 30 February 11 Comptr . Office February 25 Department Representatives who may be invited : Lois Coit, Chair, School Committee Dick Speirs, DPW -- . Phil Geiger, Superintendent Niles Barnert, Minuteman Rick White, Town Manager Joan Halverson, Recreation