1996-03-26-AC-MIN.pdf - Laserfiche WebLink

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APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1996 COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE , 8:00 PM * Present: P Lapointe, R Leone, M Miley, M Mairson, J Pagett, R Borghesani, R Colwell, J Ryan * Absent: L Peck, M Hastings * P Lapointe sent out letters to other members of the MMRVHS District recommending that they reject the MMRVHS budget for fy 97 * Will pursue fund balance issue and if not successful will attempt to get support from the DOR * P Lapointe discussed his presentation to the BOS last evening, reviewing free cash and the budget gap. School revenue down to $ 111k from $ 148 K . If funding for the snow deficit and the $ 886k allocated by the Town Manager are approved free cash will be approximately $ 700k * Need to focus on a five year horizon( see capital five year projection for fire and dpw requests). Also review school enrollment and capital requests for the same time period. * R Borghesani indicated that he did not feel that the discussion surrounding the 3 for 1 salary payment and the fire pumper purchase registered with the BOS. * Fire dept has become an ambulance service * M Miley raised questions as to why we have a deputy chief * R Borghesani feels that the BOS and SC will have discussions on Town Meeting floor with nothing being resolved before hand. * P Lapointe posed the question as to whether the AC should make its own series of recommendations. * R Leone expressed reluctance to balance departments budgets * P Lapointe handed out General Fund projections followed by a general discussion * R Borghesani feels that wages and benefits need to be reviewed closely * P Lapointe will request more data on the 3 for 1 payroll issue * R Leone feels that we will come out of Town Meeting with $ 432k in free cash. A 6.9% increase in taxes is acceptable but not to remain stagnant. * M Miley will review Reserve Fund transfer history. * Is there a need to establish additional enterprise funds such as "Lexport" for all transportation needs, a parking lot enterprise and an yard waste enterprise fund * R Leone discussed the following issues which need to be addressed: 1) override 2) town wide policy on wages 3) equal % cuts 4) service cuts 5) new fees * R Borghesani discussed the technology issue, see handout Need for a five year educational plan as well as a technology plan. There are