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01/19/2017 AC Minutes Minutes Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee (AC) January 19, 2017 Place and time: Parker Room, Town Office Building, 7:30 p.m. Members present: John Bartenstein, Chair; Alan Levine, Vice -Chair & Secretary; Eric Michelson; Richard Neumeier; Sanjay Padaki; Andrei Radulescu -Banu; Lily Manhua Yan; Carolyn Kosnoff, Assistant Town Manager, Finance (non- voting, ex officio) Members Absent: Jian Helen Yang Membership Note: There is an opening for one more member. Others Present: Charles Lamb, Capital Expenditures Committee; Pat Goddard, Director, Department of Public Facilities (DPF); Dawn McKenna, Chair, Tourism Committee The meeting was called to order at 7:34 pm. 1. Announcements Mr. Neumeier reported that the January 9, 2017 Lawyers' Weekly listed a position for Executive Assistant Solicitor in the City of Lowell, salary $64,898- 76,174. The January 16, 2017 Lawyers' Weekly listed a position for Labor Counsel in the City of Somerville, salary $82,400- 90,000. Mr. Padaki reported having received the following information from Mr. Addelson regarding Town bonds, as of June 30, 2016: • $110,811,418: The principal outstanding on previously issued bonds, of which a portion is retired each year, with the final retirement in 2029. • $86,956,760: The principal of the yet to be issued bonds authorized by prior town meetings, including bonds authorized inside and outside the Proposition 21/2 levy limit, but excluding bonds for the water, sewer and recreation enterprise fund. Of this amount, approximately $66 million is for school renovation costs approved at the May 2016 town - wide election. • $5,589,791: The principal of the yet to be issued bonds for water, sewer and recreation enterprise fund projects authorized by prior town meetings. It was noted that these amounts do not come close to statutory limits. Ms. Kosnoff agreed to explore ways to include these data in the Town's tracking metrics. Mr. Michelson reported that the Center Streetscape Ad hoc Review Committee has issued its report, which includes recommendations for the Board of Selectmen. The members of that committee are not unanimous in regard to the use of bricks versus concrete for the sidewalks. It is anticipated that the consulting group for the project will be asked to price the recommendations with options. There is a placeholder for this project in the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting (ATM). It was also reported that the Planning Board is discussing the issue of allowing two family homes by special permit. This could have a financial impact to the extent it increases density. Mr. Bartenstein believes the Committee should explore the potential ramifications but may need some legal guidance on the permissible limits of debate. 1