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APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE <br /> DATE: February 1, 1973 <br /> TIME: 7:30 P.M. <br /> PLACE: Town Office Building <br /> PRESENT: Edward E. Furash, Chairman, Jack L. Mitchell, Vice <br /> Chairman, Elizabeth M. Flynn, Secretary, Arthur T. <br /> Bernier, J. H. Blaisdell, Levi Burnell, Howard L. <br /> Levingston, Richard M. Perry, Comptroller, Donald B. <br /> White <br /> LfJ <br /> Board of Selectmen: A. Kenney, N. Riffin, F. Bailey, <br /> A. Busa, S. Brown, Town Manager O'Connell <br /> I . BUDGETS <br /> It was stated by Chairman Furash that as things stand at <br /> present, a $75.00 tax rate is inevitable and highly un- <br /> acceptable. Selectmen Kenney stated that he too was very <br /> concerned about the increase and would welcome any <br /> suggestions from the Appropriation Committee . Quoting <br /> the Chairman: "how lean can general town government run?" <br /> This is the key factor, "we would like to bring the tax <br /> rate as far below $70.00 as possible" the Chairman said. <br /> He went on to say that if the tax hike goes through it is <br /> highly possible that a "Town Referendum" will be in order. <br /> The following are a list of accounts which are in question <br /> and were discussed in detail: <br /> Account #1700 - Group Insurance <br /> This is due to strong pressure from the School Committee, <br /> also an increase in BC/BS costs. It was felt that the <br /> schools should grant more coverage. Chairman Furash felt <br /> that this was a $17,000 discretionary item. "I understand <br /> the explanation, but cannot defend it" stated the Chairman. <br /> "Before we can go along with this, we will have to have a <br /> more definite reason for the expenditure" the Chairman said. <br /> Town Manager 0"Connell stated that Lexington was doing what <br /> most other communities have already done and that this is <br /> merely "catching up with the minimum that the law requires" . <br /> "We are not adding any new benefits other than those that <br /> are provided by law" Town Manager O'Connell said, On <br /> questioning by the Chairman, it was discerned that the law <br /> did not re uire that level of insurance coverage, but rather <br /> allowed or authorized it. The Chairman again noted that this <br /> was a discretionary decision by the Selectmen. <br /> r -J <br />