2008-02-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Selectmen’s Meeting February 4, 2008 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, February 4, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen Meeting Room, Town Office Building. Chairman Krieger, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Manz, Mr. Burnell; Mr. Valente, Town Manager; and Ms. Pease, Executive Clerk, were present. Public Comment Mr. Bartenstein, Friends of Arlington’s Great Meadows (FoAGM), provided the Selectmen with th the 5 annual report of the Friends of Arlington’s Great Meadows. The long-term goal of FoAGM is to permanently protect the land as open space. Selectmen Concerns and Liaison Reports Mr. Cohen and Mr. Manz thanked Linda Vine, Assistant Town Manager for the terrific work done in putting together the Youth Forum held on February 2. Between 150 and 160 people attended and many questions were raised and discussed by the excellent panel. It is important that the Town continue to deal with the issues that were raised at the Forum. Budget Discussions Mr. Valente proposed a list of possible budget reductions put together by the Senior Managers. Starting with a deficit of $194,582, reduce by $48,315 with the use of FY2008 balances for one- time expenses; reduce further by $75,541 with budget reductions based on updated analysis (transfer of contractual settlements; public works revisions (LSP contract); DPW electricity for street lights and police budget revisions (telephone charges). That leaves a remaining deficit of $70,726. Selectmen reviewed the list of prioritized departmental budget reductions broken down into 3 categories. Selectmen brought up different concerns. Mrs. Krieger is interested in keeping as much training available as possible and would like to see refuse/recycling reduced. Mr. Cohen shared concern for the reduction in Library Books and Materials. Mr. Valente is also following up on the public facilities budget and looking at charges to the revolving fund for rent for use of town buildings that may help to reduce the budget. Mr. Valente will provide additional information on reducing the gap at the next Selectmen meeting. Waltham Traffic Mitigation Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 4-0 to recommend joining Lincoln, Waltham and Weston in sending comments to MEPA with a letter to Ian Bowles.