1988-01-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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SELECTMEN'S MEETING '- January 13, 1988 A special meetin g of the Board of Selectme"n'was held on Wednesday, January 13, 1988, in the Selectmen's Meeting Roomy, Town office Building at 7:33 p.m. Chairman Eddison, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Dailey, Mrs. Smith, Mr. McSweeney; Mr. White, Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel, were present. Also in attendance were members of the School Committee; Appropriation Committee; Capital Expenditures Committee and other Town officials. Mr. White distributed a report showing FY89 projections for revenue and costs which he reviewed with those present. He noted that the School Committee's initial FY89 budget request is up by 9.58% over FY88. The report did not refliffbt his recommendations on any of the - preliminary budget requests. Br. Zimmerman said that after fine tuning, $55,004 had been " reduced from the $24,385,451 requested by the School Committee. She noted the need for increase in elementary school staff but that high school staff will be reduced. Maintenance staff at the middle schools will be increased: Program cuts are now being discussed. Mr. White gave a figure of $5.2 million for free cash, $500,000 of which would be used for the school deficit, bringing it down to $4.7 million. He saw the need to look at what historically has been done with free cash. Mr. Newman suggested using more free cash this year to bridge the deficit and going for an override in FY94, when it would be allowed. General discussion of free cash followed. Mr. Marshall felt that there should be no more than a 8 increase for FY89 and that cuts necessary to do so should be explored. Mrs. Wi k asked for definition of the level of commitment the Selectmen have for education. Mr. Marshall said that, being realistic, the School Committee cannot give 8% raises to teachers and expect to be bailed out by getting a 9 1/2% increase. Mr. Hamburger felt that all budget requests should be scrutinized before decision on cuts can be made. Dr. Zimmerman explained that the reason that 24% of the School budget has risen so high is because of increases for special needs and transportations Mr. Newman again suggested consideration of an override. Mr. O'Sullivan noted that townspeople are interested in many programs and that overrides are not assured if budgets continue to be increased by 9 1/2 %. Mrs. Leader saw a need. to examine the budgeting process and to make choicest Mr. Marshall said that if a total budget amount cannot be agreed upon, the Selectmen would not let the School Committee frame an issue in terms of particular programs being cut. Discussion will be continued at a later date. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. fNrman P. Cohen Town Counsel