2009-01-29-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee January 29, 2009 Place and time: Town Office Building, Room G-15,730 PM Members present: Alan Levine (Chair), John Bartenstein (Secretary), Richard Eurich, Pam Hoffman, Susan McLeish, Eric Michelson, Glenn Parker, Mollie Garberg, Rob Addelson (non- voting, ex officio). The meeting was called to order at 7:40 PM. 1. General. Alan indicated that Dawn McKenna would be joining the meeting this evening and that he invited Carl Valente to the meeting tonight to discuss collective bargaining strategy and the GIC and the budget. Carl could not make the meeting this evening but will attend our meeting on February 5. Alan would like to meet with Dr. Paul Ash and Mary Ellen Dunn before the next summit meeting on February 11. Pam indicated that the School Committee is scheduled to vote on the school budget on February 24. Alan also reported that the Health Insurance task force group working under Carl Valente was supposed to have had a meeting last evening but it was cancelled and will be rescheduled for mid February. He also reported that the agenda for the Feb. 11 Budget Summit includes discussion on proposed reductions, the House 2 budget, and projected revenue for 2010. Rob Addelson indicated that the FY 2009 9C (section of State Law addressing mid -year budget cuts) cut was for $185,870. 2. Report from Rob Addelson. Rob indicated that, as of two weeks ago, the Town had spent all but $35,000 of the snow budget and that there was a $200,000 set aside for overages. He also indicated that there were monies from 2007/2008 for the schools for purchase orders that had not been closed out. He explained that the process to close an open purchase order is as follows — in June 2009, an amount is encumbered for June utility bills and it's an estimate — say $300,000. Actual bills are received for $220,000 and are paid against the $300,000 so there is $80,000 that is not needed. This amount should be `liquidated" and the funds should flow to fund balance (general fund) on July 1. The encumbrance is not closed or available to appropriate until the fall. He further indicated that free cash is certified as of July 1. The summer is spent closing the books for the June 30 year end. In the early fall a balance sheet is presented to the State and they review and certify the amount in late September /early October. 3. Tourism Committee Funding Request. Dawn McKenna presented information regarding the funding request as she believes it needs a full and fair hearing. Dawn indicated that tourism could be doing more if they had tools. The 2009 projection for hotel tax is $338,000 and the Tourism Committee is requesting $50,000 or 25% of the growth. There are relatively inexpensive opportunities to brand Lexington that would enhance spending in -I -