1995-03-30-AC-MIN.pdf - Laserfiche WebLink

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APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 1995 COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, 7:30 PM Present: P Lapointe, C Coughlin, J Pagett, M Miley, R Borghesani, R Leone, R Neumeier, L Peck, J Ryan, M Schroeder Absent: M Mairson * P Lapointe announced that there will be a meeting on Saturday, April 1, 1995 at 9:00 am in the BOS meeting room with the BOS, AC, SC and CEC. All members should try to attend. * Discussion followed on the estimated current shortfall for Fy 96. * Current shortfall is difficult to determine but is estimated to be in the area of $ 520,000. This estimate contains an assumption that there will be an additional revenue stream of approximately $ 400,000 made up of an increase in lottery funds, additional revenue for Ed Reform as well as additional growth over the amount originally projected. * R Neumeier suggested that the AC look at the municipal budget. * C Coughlin presented possible options (see attached). General discussion of the proposals followed. Discussion centered on the seasonal employees in the Park, Cemetery and Recycle Program. Street light budget was also discussed. * R Leone discussed his review of the Police and Fire budgets. Overall the costs of operating the Fire Department are low although the programmatic costs are high, specifically the cost associated with keeping the East Lexington fire station open ( $ 600,000). Discussion of the possibility of not filling the Chief's position for a period of time in order to save the cost of the deputy's position ($ 54,000). * R Neumeier raised the possibility of suggesting that the override be increased to $ 1.6 or 1.7 million. * P Lapointe questioned the need to appropriate $ 75,000 for unemployment if there are no layoffs in the immediate future. Historical expenditures do not support an appropriation of $ 75,000. * R Leone posed the question of fy 95 transfers to cover the fy 95 deficits vs appropriating from free cash. Transfers are a possibility if funds are available. * R Borghesani brought up the idea of program cuts ( ambulance, East Lexington) vs nickel and diming budgets. * Proposed cuts: Municipal Salaries $ 24,000 DPW $ 82,000 Unemployment Insurance $ 50,000 Fire $ 54,000 Debt Service $ 10,000 These possible areas of reduction total $ 220,000. * MOTION to cut the school request by $ 150,000 to $ 37,267,579.UNANIMOUS