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44
<br /> The Appropriation Committee held a meeting, at 7:30 P.M., on Mon-
<br /> day, January 10, 1972, in Room 111, Town Office Building, Lexing-
<br /> ton. Present were Edward F . Furash, Chairman, Jack L. Mitchell,
<br /> Vice Chairman, Elizabeth M. Flynn, Secretary, Arthur T . Bernier,
<br /> J. H. Blaisdell, Howard L. Levingston, Donald B. White arx. Richard
<br /> M. Perry, Comptroller.
<br /> R. Cochin, town meeting member and Mrs. Olsen, of the LWV, observed.
<br /> A preliminary review of newly submitted expense budgets was made.
<br /> Upon motion duly made and seconded, Executive Session was VOTED
<br /> at 8:00 P.M.
<br /> Joining the meeting, at this time, were School Committee members,
<br /> J. Maguire, Chairman, V . Page, E. Clarke, R. Eaton, High School
<br /> representative E . Kemper and R. Fobert, Superintendent of Schools .
<br /> Chairman Furash explained that due to the requests of all Depart-
<br /> ments and reinstituted capital expenditures, cut out last year,
<br /> the tax rate could be about $70. It was decided to talk to the
<br /> School Committee, due to this, since collective bargaining will
<br /> add to this tax rate . It was felt that $200,000., or a dollar on
<br /> the tax rate, could be cut from the school budget.
<br /> Chairman Maguire stated that he felt that pressure from the Approp-
<br /> riation Committee seemed to dwell on peripheral expenses, such as
<br /> elementary French, etc . He felt that the following were the
<br /> critical factors : 1. Expenses
<br /> 2 . Pupil-teacher ration
<br /> 3. Personal salaries
<br /> He welcomed Appropriation' s help in collective bargaining. Chair-
<br /> man Furash stated that his Committee had always supported a "hard
<br /> line" in collective bargaining, but that the School Committee was
<br /> in the "driver' s role" and should tell him how they want his
<br /> Committee to handle participation.
<br /> Dr. Fobert stated that they expected about $4.53,000. more in State
<br /> aid this year that the net increase in the school operatinbud-
<br /> get was only 0350,000, only $1.50 on the tax rate, that 5.1% in-
<br /> crease in the over-all budget, approximately $533,660, was the
<br /> smallest increase since 1965. The $11,065,013. total budget,
<br /> still does not reflect the increase that will come, through the
<br /> Personal Service budget, from collective bargaining .
<br /> He stated that, even with the new junior high, they anticipated
<br /> an increase in teachers of 33-.
<br /> Chairman Maguire stated that they would continue work on their budget.
<br /> Upon motion duly made and seconded, Executive Session was closed
<br /> at 9:17 P.M.
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