1970-10-26-AC-MIN.pdf - Laserfiche WebLink

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4u Minutes of meeting held on October 26, 1970 - page 2 held as to the Appropriation Committee' s plans for cutting $800,000. from the 1971 budget . In response to Chairman Cataldo' s question as to "holding the line" on the School budget, Chairman Furash answered in the affirmative. Parody for non-certified employees of the School Department and Town Employees was discussed. Town Manager O'Connell read a report ( to be publ±shed) as to the finan- cial impact of the passage of the Firefighters request for a L.2 hour work week. Also, he pointed out the actual hours of duty and days off that would be involved. Town Counsel Legro and Town Manager O'Connell reported on unexpected expenses that will probably be forthcoming, viz: the roof at Bowman School and a Land damage Award made by Court-Jury decision. After returning to the Comptroller' s Office, upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously VOTED that Chairman Furash forward the following letter to the Lexington Minute Man: tt October 26, 1970 Editor Lexington Minute-Man Adams Building Lexington, Mass . 02173 Dear Sir: It is most unfortunate that some of our firefighters have chosen this election to ask for a reduction in their working hours . The Appropriation Committee has examined the financial impact of this request on our tax rate. If our town is to maintain an equal level of fire protection under the fire- fighter' s proposal, then more men will be needed--resulting in at least $100,000. in additional costs to the Town, or 501 on the tax rate. These costs would come at a time when we can least afford them--a time when all of us should be looking for ways to cut our spending and tax rate. Any claim that there will be no increase in costs comes at the expense of each homeowner in the form of less fire protection. Such claims assume that there will be fewer men on call, with extras available on overtime or special call. We do not feel that it serves the taxpayers well to reduce fire protection below current levels, or to cover increased costs through over- time . We have always appreciated the fine service rendered by our fire-fighters . We understand their desire for more rational hours. However, much of their current duty is in the form of night "stand by" duty, when they can relax or sleep. We be- lieve that this matter requires much more careful study than