2019-02-21-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

02/21/2019 AC Minutes Minutes Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee (AC) February 21, 2019 Place and Time: Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, 7:30 p.m. Members Present: Glenn Parker, Chair; Alan Levine, Secretary; John Bartenstein; Ellen Basch; Eric Michelson; Richard Neumeier; Nick Nichols; Carolyn Kosnoff, Assistant Town Manager, Finance (non-voting, ex officio) Member(s)Absent: Sanjay Padaki, Vice-Chair; Lily Manhua Yan Other Attendees: David Kanter, Vice-Chair & Clerk, Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. Announcements and Liaison Reports Mr. Michelson reported that the Town of Belmont (Belmont) has expressed preliminary interest in rejoining the Minuteman Regional Technical High School(Minuteman Tech) consortium. Belmont had previously voted to withdraw from the Minuteman Tech Region, effective in 2020, thus avoiding the debt service payments associated with financing a new facility. New member towns will be assessed for debt service payments going forward, but it has not been determined whether Belmont would be responsible for such payments retroactively if it rejoins. Mr. Bartenstein noted that the FY2020 Recommended Budget and Financing Plan (White Book) assumed a 10% increase in water/sewer assessments as compared to FY2019, but the assessments have come in at 4%. This could reduce water/sewer rates. Ms. Basch reported that the School Committee plans to discuss the proposed inter-municipal agreement (IMA) with Minuteman Tech in regard to new athletic facilities at its meeting on March 12. Minuteman has recently issued a Request for Interest (RFI) to other municipalities. It is unclear at this point whether Lexington will continue to negotiate funding and sharing of the facilities on a reduced basis or whether Minuteman Tech will proceed with a full build option without financial support from Lexington. CEC Status Report Mr. Kanter distributed a list of FY2020 warrant articles that the CEC expects to discuss in its report to the 2019 Annual Town Meeting (ATM). The list included a summary of the CEC's current positions on the articles, CEC comments, and whether the CEC recommends including the article in the Board of Selectmen's recommended consent agenda for the ATM. He reviewed this material, noting that in some cases, the CEC is waiting for additional information before taking a position. Additional comments, responses to questions, and/or discussion included the following: • Article 6: Appropriate for Cremation Facility at Westview Cemetery (citizen article): The CEC strongly supports appropriating funds at the 2019 ATM for building a maintenance facility at Westview Cemetery and does not want that project delayed because of the potential interest in adding a crematory at Westview. Ms. Kosnoff noted that there could be some financial efficiencies if certain project details that support a crematory are incorporated into the maintenance building plans. 1