1999-04-07-ATM-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Adjourned Session —1999 Annual Town Meeting April 7, 1999 8:45 p.m. Susan Elberger, School Committee, reported that the School Committee voted 5 -0 to support the alternate motion and that the real issue is a lack of support of the financial structure. 8:46 p.m. Selectman Peter Enrich reported the Board of Selectmen unanimously supports the substitute motion. Mr. Enrich explained the Board is deeply troubled by the financial and administrative structure in which Minuteman operates and of the need to send a message to the school, other towns, and the state legislature. Mr. Enrich explained the unspent funds would end up in the free -cash balance and be available in 2000 to appropriate a supplemental appropriation article. 8:48 p.m. Robert Coyne, pr.7, questioned if the substitute motion automatically constitutes a rejection. Mrs. Pagett replied that it did so. Mr. Coyne inquired about results of votes from other town's Town Meeting and of the 1970 agreement. Town Counsel Norman Cohen, stating that he also represented the Minuteman Regional School, stated that the agreement was binding. 8:50 p.m. Robert Coyne, pr.7, continued and asked Representative Jay Kaufman about efforts being taken and of the need to change the agreement. Representative Kaufman, introducing Representative Jim Marzilli from Arlington, explained efforts he has taken . 8:55 p.m. Ephraim Weiss, pr. 5, moved a 30 minute recess to discuss the matter further. 8:55 p.m. Following a voice vote, the Moderator declared a 30 minute recess for informal discussion. Representative Jim Marzilli, 15 Stevens Terrace, Arlington spoke on the Minuteman issues. 9:25 p.m. The Moderator declared the Meeting back in formal session. 9:25 p.m. Don Jenkins, pr.8, read from the auditor's report on Minuteman's available funds, and spoke in opposition to the amendment. 9:27 p.m. Albert Zabin, pr. 1, spoke in favor of the amendment. 9:31 p.m. Sam Berman, pr.3, questioned the impact of passing the motion. Mrs. Pagett explained that passage will send a message to Minuteman that Lexington is not happy with the way they do business. 9:33 p.m. Sam Berman, pr.3, questioned if the goal was to shut down Minuteman. Mrs. Pagett replied that that was not true. 9:33 p.m. Paul Jenkins, pr.8, spoke in opposition to the motion. 9:34 p.m. Jane Pagett informed the Meeting that the Superintendent would not appear at a Town Meeting with a representative who did not support the budget. 9:35 p.m. Fred Rosenberg, Lexington School Committee, reported the Committee supports the program at Minuteman but opposes subsidizing out of district towns and Minuteman's acceptance of "choice" students. 9:38 p.m. Martin Long, pr. 6, moved the question. 9:38 p.m. The Moderator questioned if the Substitute Motion should not be put. 9:38 p.m. Leo P. McSweeney, pr.9, called for a Roll Call vote when the question is voted. The Moderator, not seeing 49 others standing, stated that a Roll Call would not be taken. 9:39 p.m. Following a voice vote, the Moderator declared the Substitute Motion now put.