1994-02-22-AC-MIN.pdf - Laserfiche WebLink

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APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1994 COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, 7:30 PM Present: C Coughlin, S Nablo, J Pagett, P Lapointe, M Mairson, R Borghesani, R Souza, M O'Sullivan, C Abbott, J Ryan Absent: G Burnell Minutes of February 14, 1994 accepted as amended * C Coughlin distributed and discussed the proposed calendar for preparing the AC report for Town Meeting (see attached) * P Lapointe discussed his findings and recommendations for the DPW (Community Services). It appears that there is an increase in the FY 95 budget request for funding from the General Fund and a reduction in Enterprise Fund and directed funding from other sources, specifically parking meter revenue and cemetery funding. The cemetery fund appears to be down to $ 100,000 from $ 176,000 and parking revenue appears to have been reduced from $ 116,000 to $ 101,000.The cemetery also contributes $ 100,000 from perpetual care. The apparent decline in the enterprise budget request is due primarily to the fact that the MWRA assessment estimate is more accurate at this time in the process than it has been in the past. Increases in the General Fund are in the area of refuse and street lighting * P Lapointe discussed the possibility of privatizing the cemetery without actually selling the asset and recommended that the cemetery be on the list of areas for possible privatization * S Nablo discussed the Recreation budget requests * P Lapointe indicated that he supports the concept of a trash fee, realizing that it is political suicide. There should be a relation between the cost of the service and the revenue generated to cover the cost of the service. Options available are to cover all the cost or a part of the cost of the refuse budget request. * P Lapointe stated that he was concerned that it appears that the Recreation funds being requested in FY 95 exceed the estimated revenue and was also eroding the surplus in the fund as of June 30, 1993. The Town should not spend down all the reserves. * S Nablo spoke to the privatization issue. The SC had requested J Young to identify $ 400 and $ 900,000 in cuts. Each of those scenarios had a pilot program of privatizing custodial services at the Hastings School which perhaps would not be truly reflective. Staffing levels suggested, elementary 1, middle schools 2, high school 5 during the day, 2 in charge at night, 1 driver and 1 filler. With an estimate of $ 7500 for health insurance the estimated savings for one year would be approximately $ 700,000,less 10 months of unemployment costs, less the estimated cost of the contract $ 250- 350,000 resulting in a net savings of around $ 50,000 for the first year. Discussion as to whether J Young will allow privatization to take place. Sense is that he is becoming resigned to the fact that it must be taken seriously. The estimate for the second year savings at $ 350,000 seems low. Tn Mgr has been informed and supports the concept. S Nablo is not optimistic that J Young is taking the issue seriously and doesn't want to touch it