1990-01-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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� o 4 SELECTMEN'S MEETING r, January 24, 1990 A regular meeting of.the Board of Selectmen was held on Wednesday, January 24, 1990, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, at i:30 p.m. Chairman Eddison, Mr, Marshall, Mr. Dailey, Mr. McSweeney; Mr. White, Town Manager? Ms. Radway, Asst. to the Town Manager; Mrs. Snow, Executive Clerk, were present. BUDGET REVIEWS C ONSERVATION COMMISSION Mr. White reported that the Expense Budget request of the Conservation Commission was decreased by $1,080, a 2% decrease from FY90, not including salaries. Staffing is comprised of an Administrator, one part -time clerk, and four summer workers. Mr. White felt that the proposed budget of $01,857., would supply minimum funding to operate the Department. Kevin Mendik, Conservation Administrator, listed reductions proposed for signage and staffing, with other items level funded. He outlined the FY90 accomplishments of the Commission such as the Steward's Program, using high school students to work with the summer crew, and preparation of a booklet of conservation land and trails, which will be sold. Nine Conservation Restrictions have been sent to the State. He noted a change in the State laws on fee schedules which, it is expected, will significantly increase the Department's revenues, Joel Adler, Commissioner, reported further on fee structure and discussed State and local requirements He reported that use of prison inmates, for help with conservation and DPW projects, is being explored and is now a practice in some communities. Mr. Eddison thanked Mr. Mendik and the Commissioners present for their helpful presentation. LIBRARY Mr. White reported on a 1.8% reduction in the proposed Library budget, not including any salary increases. Mr. Hilton, Library Director, reported that circulation at the libraries is up 20% over the past 5 years, indicating high usage. He noted that the Library's original budget request had been developed by the Trustees before knowledge of the demand for cuts or level funding and its total had been $242,804. or a 5.3% increase. This budget had included painting of the Branch Library, which has since been reduced to 0 funding. There was a discussion of cutback of Library hours on Sunday. Mr. Hilton reported that the circulation per hour on Sunday is twice the weekday ,�.�.► Vo lume. Mr. Dailey said that per a survey of other towns, about half had libraries remaining open on Sunday. Of Towns like Lexington, most had Sunday library hours. He reported a 400 to 600 gate attendance on Sundays here. Mr. Hilton asked that more flexibility be given to the Trustees to allow them to decide, from time to time and based upon demand, on cuts which would not be as severe an impact as being locked into the Sunday closing. Mr. Marshall felt that people have to be aware that some things must be given up in the light of the financial crisis and that some should be things which can be seen by the public.