1986-03-03 to 1986-05-12-ATM-min

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(Antua. Town Mccting March 31, 196) Article 4. Public Schools (Cont.) (Cont.) In answer to a question raised by Arthur C. Smith, the Moderator ruled that the resolution was within the scope of the article. 10:32 P.M. After Mr. Eddison's explanation of the resolution, Michael J. O'Sullivan stated that the Appropriation Committee unanimously supported the Selectmen. 10:37 P.M. William T. Spencer, with the approval of the Selectmen, moved to add after "losses" in the last line of Resolution "owing to withdrawal of Federal General Revenue Sharing funds ". 10:40 P.M. Mr. Spencer's motion to amend the Resolution was declared adopted unanimously. 10:41 P.M. Shepard Anthony Clough voiced the support of the Selectmen by the School Committee. 10:42 P.M. The Resolution, as presented by Mr. Eddison and amended by Mr. Spencer, now reads: (Resolution RESOLUTION as adopted) WHEREAS, the Town of Lexington has operated under budgetary constraints for eight years, first under the 4% tax cap and then under the limitations of Proposition 22; and WHEREAS, inflation and certian fixed costs are uncontrollable by the Town; and WHEREAS, controllable costs have been curtailed to the extent possible without seriously jeopardizing the quality of services delivered to our citizens; and WHEREAS, reserve funds and taxing ability have been used to their practical limits and the remaining source of revenue increase can only be derived from local aid; and WHEREAS, many cities and towns have received negligible local aid increases for several successive years; and WHEREAS, Lexington has led the drive to support poorer communities under fiscal stress, while also supporting formulas that insure equity so that all can grow; and WHEREAS, the formula proposed by the Administration and the Legislature penalizes communities like Lexington by forcing us to cut back on needed maintenance and services at the very time the Town is trying to accomodate programs such as low /moderate income and affordable housing; and WHEREAS, the State is enjoying enormous economic health; and WHEREAS, the formula for offsetting the loss of Federal General Revenue Sharing funds cannot be explained by anyone; and WHEREAS, the State has proposed under General Revenue Sharing that some communities receive as much as $16.00 per capita and some like Lexington receive 80t per capita; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Lexington through its Town Meeting and Board of Selectmen notify the Governor and the Legislature through its Legislators that it urgently seeks relief through an adjustment of the Local Aid Formula that would provide for a minimum increase in the General Revenue Sharing component of the formula to compensate all communities for 100% of their losses owing to withdrawal of Federal General Revenue Sharing funds for Fiscal Year 1987, Resolution, as presented by Mr. Eddison and amended by Mr. Spencer, declared adopted unanimously. 10:43 P.M.