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APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE - 2017 ATM Preface This Preface describes the structure and stylistic conventions used in this report. It is followed by an Introduc- tion discussing changes in the Town's financial status since the previous Annual Town Meeting, along with issues pertinent to the Town's general financial situation. The main body of this report contains article -by- article discussions and recommendations on those articles that, in our opinion, have substantial financial rele- vance. The report references several appendices at the end of this document that provide a deeper explanation of particular financial issues. The discussion for each article presents the prevailing view of the Committee, as well as any other considera- tions or cautions that we feel Town Meeting should be informed of. If one or more Committee members are strongly opposed to the majority position, we summarize the opposing perspective. Each article discussion concludes with the most recent vote of the Committee prior to publication. The vote is summarized by the number of members in favor, followed by the number of members opposed, and lastly (when applicable) the number of members abstaining, e.g. "(6 -2 -1)" indicates six members in favor, two opposed, and one abstain- ing. It is not always possible to collect a complete vote for every article from nine voting members. In such instances, the total number of votes and abstentions published will be less than nine. For convenience, Com- mittee votes are also summarized on the preceding pages. This report does not replicate information readily available to Town Meeting members elsewhere. Key docu- ments that inform our analysis and provide a more thorough picture of the Town finances are: • The Town Manager's Fiscal Year 2018 Recommended Budget & Financing Plan, dated February 27, 2017, commonly known as the ``Brown Book ", fully describes the annual budget of the Town. The Brown Book also summarizes budget laws and bylaws (Appendix B) and includes a glos- sary of financial terms (Appendix D). http: / /www. l exi ngtonma.gov/budget • The School Committee's Fiscal Year 2018 School Committee Recommended Budget (the "Gray Book ") dated January 31, 2017, which details the budget plans for the Lexington Public School Sys - tem.http: / /1ps.1 exi nntonma.orn /Pane /7718 • Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) Report to the 2017 Annual Town Meeting, which provides a detailed report on appropriation requests for capital projects. http: / /www.1 exi ngtonma.gov/town- meeti no/fi 1 es/cec-report-2017-atm-and-stm-1 • Community Preservation Committee (CPC) Report to the 2017 Annual Town Meeting. Acknowied2ements The content of this report, except where otherwise noted, was researched, written and edited by Committee members who volunteer their time and expertise, and with the support of Town staff. We have the pleasure and the privilege of working with Town Manager Carl Valente; Assistant Town Manager for Finance Carolyn Kosnoff; our Budget Officer Jennifer Hewitt; the Capital Expenditures Committee; the Community Preserva- tion Committee; the School Committee; the Permanent Building Committee; the Planning Board; Superinten- dent of Schools, Dr. Mary Czajkowski; Director of Finance and Operations Ian Dailey; and the Board of Se- lectmen. We thank the municipal and school staff, Town officials, boards and volunteers who have contribut- ed time and expertise to help us prepare this report. Last but not least, we thank Sara Arnold, who records and prepares the minutes for our meetings. Dedication The Committee dedicates this report to Robert N. Addelson, who served as Assistant Town Manager for Fi- nance and as an ex officio as a member of this Committee for over a decade, from 2006 through his retirement in January 2017. With his comprehensive knowledge and mastery of the inner workings of municipal finance; his indefatigable work ethic; his wise and prudent management of the Town's finances; and his patient, cordi- al and collegial manner, Rob greatly facilitated the work of this Committee and brought distinction to the Town. 1