2011-10-19-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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October 19, 2011 Supplemental appropriations: Mr. Addelson discussed preliminary adjustments for supplemental appropriations by line item. He noted that Lexington is waiting for guidance from DOR regarding the supplemental amount of state aid (about $93k) that will be paid due to legislation restoring recent state aid cuts. A proposal to update the Fire Department's communication system will be handled under Article 3. Article 4 (Operating Budget) will handle the following: • Veteran's benefits, which have increased significantly. • The Veteran's Service Officer Position, which is legally required, might move from part - time to full -time if an exemption is not granted. See letter dated 9/15/11. • Technical support consulting services are needed to address noise complaints related to the noise by -law. • Election costs for debt exclusion vote for Bridge /Bowman and Estabrook. • Hiring a recording secretary for the Historical Commission. • The Fire Department needs vehicle maintenance to repair the ladder truck. • There are increased sewer and utility costs for the Facilities Department. • There will be expenses to the Town Manager for a Police Sergeant Assessment Center. • There may be reductions to the health insurance budget. • There may be a need to supplement the legal budget for appellate tax board appeals Additional funds needed to complete previously approved capital projects involving paving at the Clarke School and upgrading library archives will be handled under Article 7. Potential uses: There was a discussion of potential uses of the balance of new revenue not currently targeted for appropriation, though the actual net surplus has not yet been determined. The possibilities include: • Snow and ice removal - The budget has been $1.1m as the last few years and the FY 11 cost was $1,440,000. However, clearing the center is very costly and the projection should be increased for future years. Streets and roads — If additional funds were put into streets and roads, the Town would likely subcontract engineering work. This is a capital item where the money stays in the budget until it is used and the Town is looking at a total annual appropriation of $2m. The previous debt exclusion for streets and roads in the amount of about $7m has now been largely depleted, and although the Town's Chapter 90 monies were increased by the State this year for the first time in many years, the Town has had to appropriate funds within the levy to accomplish major road reconstruction projects such as the Woburn Street reconstruction. The Committee discussed models to use in regards to funding streets and roads. • Flow to free cash —This money would be available for the FY2014 budget and might allow capital projects to be funded with cash instead of debt. 2