1994-03-23-AC-MIN.pdf - Laserfiche WebLink

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* S Nablo stated that he felt this issue needed to be discussed by Town Meeting. * R Borghesani is finding it difficult to connect the incase in equipment and technology with a possible reduction in staff. * W Dailey stated that if the DARE program were to be cut it would not be a political cut. * Ambulance service was the next topic of discussion. W Dailey made a case for retaining the ambulance service provided. The fire fighters have been good in the sense that they have bargained the minimum manning issue, their salaries are under control. The Town has very low number of fire fighters per thousand population. If the ambulance service were to be privatized it would mean the elimination of eight to ten fire fighters thereby making our ratio of fire fighters to thousand of population even more extreme. The ambulance service is one of the services that the citizens care very much about. * J Pagett stated that she found the salary freeze to be very troublesome. * S Nablo told W Dailey that he as an individual felt the BOS needed to take more of a leadership role in dealing with these issues. * G Burnell stated the support from the AC for the report as prepared by T. Michael Brown, of February, 1993. The BOS and Town Meeting appear to be against the privatization of the ambulance service. * DPW Equipment was discussed in depth. * P Lapointe discussed the need to protect the infrastructure and that we are creating a debt service need for the next three years with the short term borrowing. Paul expressed a reluctance to replace equipment in a division which might be privatized. A study of privatizing opportunities should be completed prior to making purchases. * K Dookes indicated that the CEC supports $ 650,000 for this article. * R Souza reiterated her earlier comments that we should perhaps only purchase the critical needs. * Wage freeze was discussed by W Dailey as well as members of the AC * G Burnell stated that the AC will continue to pursue the privatization issue where it is felt that the private sector can provide the service more economically than the public sector ( ie: janitorial services, ambulance, cemetery). * P Lapoine felt that the privatization needs to be studied more in depth with the report being available in time for the formation of the FY 96 budget requests. * C Coughlin told W Dailey that she feels a reluctance on the part of the BOS for privatization as they will equate to layoffs. * W Dailey stated that he will have a liaison between the BOS and AC on the privatization issue. * Stabilization Fund is currently receiving luke warm support from the BOS and will perhaps be IP. It certainly has a place but is not currently receiving much support. * G Burnell then asked the AC if they supported the BOS budget or wished to make their own amendments. The following amendments were presented. * MOTION to accept resolution of SC budget with BOS at $ 34,923,877. PASSED: MAJORITY (8/1) JP * MOTION to amend DPW Expenses (3000) by $ 84,786 PASSED: MAJORITY (7/2) JP,MM * General discussion of Police sector patrol. No motion made. * MOTION to reaffirm AC vote on ambulance privatization with a possible savings of $ 400,000.General discussion followed. G Burnell stressed need to be able to support the