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APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE -2016 ATM & STM 2016 -3 ance with the MSBA process (see Article 2016 -1.3 below). The original $520,000 appropriation for Has- tings at the November 2015 STM #1 will be rescinded if it cannot be used for any other valid purpose. November 2015 Special Town Meeting #2 The November 2015 STM #2 requested $2,500,000 under Article 4 (Appropriate for Water System Im- provements). The request was funded using debt under the Water Enterprise Fund. The request was ap- proved and, as a result, there will be no further requests for debt -based appropriations under the Water Enterprise Fund in the FY2017 budget. Special Town Meeting 2016 -1 Article 2016 -1.2 (Amend Regional School District Agreement of the Minuteman Regional Vocational School District) was approved, allowing six member communities to exit the Regional District, and pav- ing the way for reconstruction of the Minuteman High School with significant financial support from the MSBA. Article 2016 -1.3 (Appropriate for Hastings School Feasibility Study) was approved. This will fund the feasibility study and schematic design work at Hastings Elementary under the MSBA process. Once the resulting design is approved by the MSBA, a second appropriation will be requested to fund full construc- tion documents and the actual construction. The project cost has been estimated at $60 million, of which approximately $20 million would be eligible for MSBA reimbursement. This estimate assumes a 30- classroom school, and is subject to change based on the MSBA review. We anticipate that a new Hastings Elementary will be ready for occupancy by September 2019. Special Town Meeting 2016 -2 Article 2016 -2.2 (Land Purchase — 20 Pelham Road) has not been taken up by Town Meeting due in part to delays in negotiations with the current owners, but also to obtain results from an engineering study considering ways to improve roadway access to the site. On March 21, 2016, Town Meeting will consider a motion from the Selectmen on how to proceed with this article. School Master Plan The School Committee, in cooperation with the Superintendent, Town staff and the finance committees, has continued to refine their recommended plan to address the growing enrollment, particularly in the el- ementary and middle school levels. The plan contains a mix of administrative and physical changes. Ma- jor renovations to the two middle schools will add more space while also integrating key maintenance work. Redistricting some students will improve classroom utilization district -wide. Changing the way some educational programs are implemented will reclaim a small amount of additional space. The FY2017 Budget The Town Manager has proposed a balanced, level- service budget that is not contingent on an operating override. The table and chart below comprise the General Fund budget totaling $198,562,732. This does not include enterprise funds, revolving funds, Community Preservation Act funds, grants, or exempt debt service. 3