1988-02-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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f Pir £� SELECTMEN'S MEETING February 3, 1888 � . A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Wednesday, February 3, 1888, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, at 7 :30 p.m. Chairman Eddison, Mr. Marshall Mr. Dailey, Mrs. Smith, Mr. McSweeney; Mr. White, Town Manager; Mrs. Snow, Executive Clerk, were present. ENTERPRISE FUND Mrs Eddison noted that the 1387 Town Meeting had encouraged the creation of Enterprise Funds by the acceptance of the General Law which would allow Water and Sewer to be treated as an enterprise account. This year will be the Town's first attempt at implementing under this system. Mark Johnson, Sr. Accountant with Deloit, Haski & Sells, was present for discussi of enterprise accounting. He commended the Board f its support of the State Enabling Legislat and outlined the advantages of operating under enterprise account procedures. In answer to Mr= Marshall's question as to whether a depreciation factor for equipment and infrastructure.would be included, Mr. White stated that there would be a depreciation allowance next year in water and sewer enterprise accounting and requests for appropriations. Mr..dohnson felt that Lexington's rate structure was low in both water and sewer categories. He did not advocate rate "tiers" in the Town, as is done in large cities. Mr. Marshall requested historical data on Lexington water and sewer rates. Mr. Whi will also provide a projection of rates to accomplish the goal of a 100% fee supported dater and Sewer system under the enterprise fund. Mrs. Smith pointed out that there will be significant acceleration of MWRA charges in the future which have been projected at 40% within the next three years. She advised that Lexington and all other communities take a stand now, and inform MWRA that under Proposition 2 1/2, towns cannot accept these large increases. DPW ENGINEERING BUDGET REVIEW Richard Spiers, director of DPW and Engineering, and Francis Fields, Town Engineer, were present for review of the FY88 budget requests of those departments. Mr. Spiers reported that all DPW /Engineering Supervisors had participated in an educational program on management and basic and advanced supervision. He felt that it had contributed significantly t more positive attitudes and better communications between the two departments. Mr. Spiers is attending a 13 weekend course on Community Issues, which he is finding beneficial. The organizational structure and functioning of the departments were reveiwed. The following DPW/Engineering Personal Services and Expense Account requests were reviewed: Highway Maintenance General Office Expenses Park Division Snow Removal Road Machinery Engineering Division