2000-03-22-REC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Town of Lexington Recreation Committee Sandra Shaw, Chairman Tel: (781) 862-0500 x262 Pamela Varrin, Vice Chairman Fax: (781) 863-2350 Frederick DeAngelis Donald A. Chisholm Richard L. Neumeier RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES March 22, 2000 Members Present: Sandra Shaw, Pam Varrin, Don Chisholm, Rick DeAngelis, Dick Neumeier Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Brian Gilbert, Matthew Casparius Others Present: Shirley Stolz, Capital Expenditures Committee AGENDA: 1. The meeting minutes of February 9, 2000 were approved. 2. Town Meeting – New Articles ARTICLE 8i of 2000- Sutherland Playground It was suggested that we gather archive records as to find when tax levy funds have been used for playground improvements. The tax levy is supposed to support non-revenue generating recreation programs. This policy was set so that the Enterprise Fund did not go bankrupt. Do we need to re-examine this policy? Town Meeting might assume we should always pay for all Recreation Capital projects with Enterprise funds. If we have the funds for improvements available now and ask for tax levy funds, then that puts us in a questionable position because we are ignoring our policy. We have to be careful that we do not create an impression that the fund is more stable than it really is. The Appropriations Committee feels that we should have only 5% of our operating budget left over at the end of the year ($50 –60,000). Karen does not feel that such a small amount gives us enough of a reserve in an emergency, such as if lightning should strike and blow out the irrigation system at athletic fields or at Pine Meadows. The Sutherland area has many young families. Rick DeAngelis feels that the improvements have been put off for too long. The question remains as to whether we want to make an exception to the policy regarding non-revenue generating areas to get the upgrades to the playgrounds. Dick 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420