1998-11-09-STM-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING — NOVEMBER 9, 1998 cont. 8:31 p.m. Mr. Hornig requested the Moderator recognize Steve Coit, Appropriation Committee. The Moderator recognized Mr. Coit who explained the impact of excluded debt on the tax rate, and that the Committee estimated the proposed amount represented approximately a $25 increase per $100,000 assessed value over the Pine Meadows cost. Mr. Coit also explained the Board of Selectmen had voted to undertake a bonding schedule which pays less principal early and pushes out costs a bit, shaving the peak years. 8:36 p.m. Board of Selectman Chairman Peter Enrich stated the Selectmen unanimously support the motion and proposal, and further stated how far the Town has come over the past year through the hard work of many, including the Permanent Building Committee, Ad Hoc Committee, School Committee, School staff, and financial committees. Mr. Enrich expressed that this was a proposal we can all be proud. 8:39 p.m. Margaret Coppe, pr.9, moved a roll call vote on the motion if 49 also request a roll call vote. More than 50 members rising in support of a roll call, the Moderator declared a roll call vote in order when the vote is taken. 8:40 p.m. Ira Bernstein, pr.2, spoke in favor of the proposal, and of the work to be done, of last year's unsuccessful attempt, and the need for Town Meeting Members to connect with the community. 8:44 p.m. The Moderator recognized Mr. Jonathan Longley, 15 Westwood Road, from the audience. Mr. Longley questioned prior plans to build a third middle school at the Diamond site and the recent reference that Harrington School site is a better alternative for the third middle school. 8:47 p.m. Barrie Peltz, School Committee, explained the School Committee had looked at the possibility of a third middle school, which would have a base price of approximately $20,000,000. Such a school would not remove the need to renovate both Diamond and Clarke Middle Schools and would be viewed as non - enrollment driven and not funded as readily by the State. The Committee then rejected the alternative in favor of the current proposal. 8:48 p.m. Mr. Longley continued with an explanation to support a third middle school. 8:51 p.m. Marjorie Daggett, pr.6, spoke for the League of Women Voters, which supported the proposal. 8:52 p.m. Stephen Trip, 12 Freemont St., cochairman of Citizens for Responsible Spending, questioned assertions made in a recent flyer regarding heating issues at the high school. Mr. Tripi further stated that this project would be the first of more phases. 8:54 p.m. John Moynihan, Director of Facilities and Buildings, addressed Mr. Tripi's question and stated he was unaware of the data. 8:55 p.m. Ira Bernstein, pr.2, stated the information had been provided by the high school principal. 8:55 p.m. Perry Pollins, pr.5, spoke of persons leaving Lexington due to increased taxes. 9:00 P.M. Dawn McKenna, pr.9, spoke in support. 9:01 P.M. Michael Schroeder, pr.9, questioned off -set payment of debt service and payments received from the Commonwealth, stating that the cost of the motion is $52,235,000.