2007-02-01-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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February 1, 2007 Minutes Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee February 1, 2007 Place and time: Room 111, Town Office Building, 7:30 PM Members present: Alan Levine (Chair), Deborah Brown (Vice-Chair), John Bartenstein (Secretary), Rod Cole, Rick Eurich, Pam Hoffman, David Kanter, Mike Kennealy, Eric Michelson, Rob Addelson (ex officio, non-voting) The meeting was called to order at 7:40 PM. David Kanter provided an update on the Schools’ Financial Review Committee (SFRC) to which he is the liaison from our Committee. The SFRC is currently focused on the process for how purchases are made. David has asked for something in writing describing exactly the processes that the school department is seeking to implement, what has gone wrong previously, and whether these proposed new processes will fix the problems. He cited the example of “block encumbrances” where an order will be placed for large numbers of supplies to be filled over time but without detailed purchase orders. The school department’s intention is to cease this practice, which is now unnecessary since requests for supplies can be filled within 24 hours. The school department’s current intention is to say that all requisitions must be in by May 1, so they will then have May and June to figure out what has been used or not. The SFRC discussed a proposed agenda for a meeting with Mary Ellen Dunn to take place on February 8. Topics proposed included: 1. Class size assumptions used in the proposed FY08 budget. 2. Special education – actual vs. budget since the fall town meeting, circuit breaker mechanism, assumptions used in the proposed FY08 budget. 3. Other FY08 budget assumptions - wages, salary differential, COLA, steps raises. 4. How the schools are performing against the FY07 budget. 5. How has the school department defined “level service” in developing the proposed FY08 budget. David Kanter provided a report on a recent Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) meeting. The CEC does not feel that the Community Preservation Committee has been rigorous enough in developing clear policies and priorities on how CPA funds should be allocated. An example he cited was the question of using CPA funds for a cash purchase of a potential, eligible, large land purchase or using CPA funds to pay the debt service if bonded, instead. Rob Addelson confirmed that CPA projects can be bonded. The CEC is also reviewing the proposed municipal capital budget and does not expect significant disagreements. The CEC will begin to discuss the school capital budget on February 8. John Bartenstein reported that the Selectmen’s Ad Hoc Tax Deferral and Exemption Study Committee is discussing possible changes in the property tax deferral provisions. - 1 -