2019-03-07-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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03/07/2019 AC Minutes • Article 5: Establish Qualification for Tax Deferrals: Mr. Bartenstein explained that this article would increase the income threshold for a residential tax deferral from $70,000 to $75,000. Interest is charged and the Town eventually is paid the back taxes, making this program revenue neutral. ➢ A motion was made and seconded to support approval of this article. The motion passed. VOTE: 7-0 • Article 6: Appropriate for Cremation Facility at Westview Cemetery(citizen article): Mr. Padaki reported that a motion has not been identified for this article. It may be indefinitely postponed (IPed), depending on the position of the Board of Selectmen(BoS) on Article 20(g): Appropriate for Public Facilities Capital Projects; Westview Cemetery Facility Construction. Further discussion was postponed until there is more definitive information. • Article 7: Appropriate Funds for the Creation of a Lexington Economic Development Strategy (Citizen Article): Mr. Neumeier reported that this item is not included in the budget. Mr. Padaki wanted additional information. ➢ A motion was made and seconded to recommend disapproval of this article. VOTE: 6-0-1 • Article 8: Funding for Sustainability Actions (Citizen Article): Mr. Nichols reported that it is expected that this article will be IPed. It was agreed that there is no need to comment in the report. • Article 9: Sustainability Director(Citizen Article): Mr. Nichols reported that Article 9 would be presented as a resolution. It was agreed that there is no need to comment in the report. • Article 10: Appropriate to Post Employment Insurance Liability Fund: There was discussion about the advisability of making such an appropriation at this time, considering the demands on the tax levy. Comments included the following: ➢ The BoS and Town Manager are planning to hold a policy discussion on a number of financially-related issues in May. This will be on the agenda. It would be valuable to meet with the actuary as part of that discussion. ➢ $750,000 of the appropriation under this article would come indirectly from the Health Claims Trust Fund, which must be used for employee health insurance costs. ➢ The Fund is invested in equities and generally earns good returns. ➢ A motion was made and seconded to support approval of this article. The motion passed. VOTE: 7-0 • Article 11: Appropriate FY2020 Operating Budget: Discussion was postponed until this Committee's next meeting when Peter Rowe, the School Department's Interim Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, and Kate Colburn, Vice Chair, School Committee, will be attending to discuss the school budget. • Article 15: Appropriate for Recreation Capital Projects: It was noted that this is a request for a $50,000 community needs assessment and $75,000 for Pine Meadows improvements. Retained earnings have been identified as the funding source. ➢ A motion was made and seconded to support approval of this article. The motion passed. VOTE: 7-0 • Article 16: Appropriate for Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment: After a brief review of this article's subsections, a motion was made and seconded to support subsections a-d, g, and i-p, as identified in the Warrant. The motion passed. VOTE: 7-0 The other subsections of this article were discussed as follows: 2