1990-01-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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SELECTMEN'S MEETING s January 10, 1990 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Wednesday, January 10, 1990, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town office Building, at 1:30 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. POLICE, FIRE BUDGET PROPOSALS VO r7rV Mr. White noted that the FY91 Police budget proposed is increased by 1.9% over FY90, including funding for the third year of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The elimination of two Lexington Center officers is proposed and funding for a civilian enforcement officer. It will be requested that $84,000 from parking fee revenues be used by the Police Department to offset this expense. Chief Furdon gave an overview of the crime picture in Lexington. Graphs which were distributed showed not much change in 1989 over 1988. Larcenies were up slightly as well as motor vehicle thefts, but assaults had been done. A second chart compared Lexington in these areas w ith national figures. There had been 15,000 calls in 1989, 12,000 of which warranted response by Po officers. Due to the good work of the five detectives, the clearance rate of' past crimes is much higher than the national average. In 1988 there had been .1,340 motor vehicle accidents, reduced to 1,070 in 1989. thief Furdon credited these improvements to computerization, the [cadet Program, and the Auxiliary Police, who had worked 252 hours in 1989, with the only expense to the Department being uniforms and equipment. The Chief outlined his Expense Budget requests in the amount of $264,528, and the Town Manager recommends approval of that figure. Chief Furdon referred to his Personal Services budget, pointing out that by the end of February, the Police Force will have four vacancies. He looks t..o rward to a resumption of full staffing when finances al low in the future. Questions from Board members regarding the implications of cutbacks and Lower staffing were answered. Mr. Dailey asked if the Chief's budget included funding for the D.A.R.E. Program, as recently discussed with Sgt. O'Leary, �;h i e f Ft.i rdon said that it would not be possible at the present strength of the Farce. There was discussion of the Chief's recommendations for increased pedestrian safety in Lexington Center. He suggested elimination of parking spaces at crosswalks; stronger lighting; raising of the crosswalks and considered education of drivers and the public to be essential. Mr. Eddison thanked chief Furdon for a good presentation of information and complimented him on the report of Department activities. FIRE DEPT, BUDGET Mr. White reported that the Fire Department budget request had increased by 1 1/2 %, including funding of the collective Bargaining Agreement. The Department's overhead would be reduced by $78,000, which would require closing the East Lexington Fire Station during June, July and August, so that the East Lexington staff could cover vacations at the central Station. aw'' Chief Bergeron updated the Board on the status of FY90 goals.