2011-02-03-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

February 3, 2011 Minutes Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee February 3, 2011 Place and time: Cary Hall, Ellen Stone Room, 7:30 p.m. Members Present. Glenn Parker, Chair; Joe Pato, Vice Chair; John Bartenstein, Vice Chair and Secretary; Robert Cohen; Alan Levine; Susan McLeish; Eric Michelson; Richard Neumeier; Rob Addelson (non- voting, ex officio) The meeting was called to order at 7:42 p.m. 1. Recording Secretary. Discussed responsibilities of Recording Secretary to include taking, circulating, editing and finalizing minutes. Other duties listed in a draft prepared by Chair Glenn Parker will be discussed further because of budget constraints. Documents used at meetings will be submitted with a final copy of minutes to Micah Niemy to be kept on site at the Town. 2. Minutes. Minutes of the November 10, 2010 and December 6, 2010 meetings were approved by a vote of 7 -0 -1. 3. Liaison Reports. Board of Selectmen. (Susan McLeish). On Monday evening there was a discussion of the snow budget. The DPW reported that we have received 61 '/z inches so far and spent $907,000 against a total budget of $987,000. This compares with fifteen -year averages of 52 inches of snow and expenditures of $998,000 annually. Costs for snow removal during the day average $5,000 per hour ($4,000 for contractors and $1,000 for town staff), and increase in the evenings and on weekends to $5,500 due to staff overtime. The budget discussion included proposals to upgrade the reverse 911 system and to hire an additional assistant fire chief who would be responsible for emergency services. There are additional requirements that create the need for an additional staff member and these services generate a considerable amount of revenue for the Town. Also discussed were the budget for Minuteman Tech, which is coming in a little lower than expected; a proposal to increase the spending limit for the DPW's Compost Operations Revolving Fund to fund an anaerobic composting feasibility study; a recommended study of certain public buildings for ADA compliance; and a plan to have proponents, rather than the CPC, present CPA projects at the Annual Town Meeting. Board of Assessors (Joe Pato). Patrick Mehr was present at the invitation of the Board last Friday to discuss the two citizen articles he has placed on the warrant relating to zoning for commercial and residential areas. One of the articles seeks more aggressive recognition of new growth when commercial parcels are up- zoned. Mr. Neumeier questioned the propriety and wisdom of Town Meeting weighing in on the assessment process, which is governed by State Law.