1990-03-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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r �,r r 4 Selectmen's Meeting -3-- March 19, 1990 Regarding the Library's request for $150,000 for funding of a computer Catalog System, the Committee is awaiting further information before making a recommendation. Mr. White referred to the opposition of the Appropriation Committee to the request for funding to sub -- contract planting and care of traffic islands and pointed out the actual financial benefits of such a move. He recapped the modest increases to DPW in '89 and '90 and noted that this year's budget is level funded while the department copes with increased demands for its services. He felt that the island request was small in view of the added demands on DPW staff. In response to Mr. O'Sullivan's suggestion that business firms be encouraged to participate in an "adapt -an- island" program, Mr. Eddison noted that of the 30+ islands in the Town, the potential for adoption of only six exists, with the rest being cared for by the DPW and the Carden Club. Mr. Marshall asked that discussion be withheld on the specific amount of a possible override, since some issues remain unresolved. The Board is basing its considerations on $1,100,000, not $1,250,000 as stated in the Appropriation committee's report. MINUTE MAN VOTECH Nyles Barnert, Lexington Representative on the Minute Man Regional School District Committee, was present to explain a change in the amount of Lexington's assessment increased by $92,000, and the need to change the motion to reflect the increase. He reviewed the calculations on which each Town's assessment is based and explained that State aid in the amount of $820,000 which had been expected for FY'90 has not been paid so that FY'91 funds are being used for expenses this year. He asked for the Board's support of the School's new request. Mr. Marshall suggested that the motion be split with a request for the original amount firm and, if no FY90 State aid is forthcoming, an extra $92,000 to compensate. Mr. Cohen felt that it could be done that way. William Mix, Chairman, members Sara Arnold and Sally Castleman of the Transportation Advisory committee, and Pauline Burke, LExPRESS coordinator, were present for review of a 6 -route bus service structure as compared to the 8-route service relative to the impacts of loss of service and ridership and the amount of money to be saved by such a cut - -back. $280,000 had been requested for the 8- -route system and $220,000 would be needed for the 6- routes. Mr. Mix noted that this figure was based on the use of the present vehicles and contractor to December 31, 1990. A 6 -route map was displayed and Mrs. Arnold pointed out the areas where service would be eliminated or combined with other routes. She estimated that 28,215 riders or 18% of the total ridership would be lost by the cuts, with an additional $6,000 lost because of rescheduling. She noted that the loss of service would increase walking distances to bus stops by approximately 1/2 mile, which would mean a total of over a mile in some cases, and longer waits for buses going to recreation areas, the senior center apd She also pointed out the number of cars on the road would be increased because of students needing rides.