HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-13-AC-minMarch 13, 2012
Minutes
Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee
March 13, 2012
Place and time: Cary Hall, Ellen Stone Room, 7:30 p.m.
Members present. Glenn Parker, Chair; Joe Pato, Vice Chair and Acting Chair for this meeting;
John Bartenstein, Vice Chair and Secretary; Robert Cohen; Mollie Garberg; Alan Levine; Eric
Michelson; Richard Neumeier; Rob Addelson (non- voting, ex officio)
Members absent: Rob Addelson; Jonina Schonfeld
Also present: Theo Kalivas, Budget Officer
The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m.
1. Announcements. Eric Michelson informed the Committee that he had spoken with
Facilities Director Pat Goddard about TLT Construction, the firm that the Town has selected as
the general contractor for the Bridge and Bowman renovations. He discussed with Mr. Goddard
concerns that had been raised in the community about low scores TLT had received in the bid
process for references and litigation history. Eric said that Mr. Goddard had reassured him that
the Town was aware of these issues but is nevertheless satisfied that TLT is a good choice and
the best qualified for the job.
There was a brief discussion of anticipated GIC rates for health benefits for the coming fiscal
year. Theo Kalivas advised that although the rates have not yet been set, the increases are
expected to be very modest.
2. Minutes. Minutes of February 23 and March 8 were approved with minor edits.
3. Warrant Articles. The balance of the meeting was devoted to the review of warrant
articles on which the Committee has not yet taken a position. Glenn Parker joined the meeting at
approximately 8:00 p.m. after attending a Town Meeting planning session:
• Article 5 — FY2013 Enterprise Fund Budgets. John Bartenstein led a discussion of the
proposed budget for the Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds, noting that increases in both MWRA
and Town costs are relatively modest this year and that the amounts of potential appropriations
from retained earnings have not yet been determined. Dick Neumeier provided an overview of
the Recreation Enterprise Fund budget. Vote: Approve (8 -0 -0).
• Article 8 — FY2013 CPA Projects. Robert Cohen addressed several sections of Article
8, which were discussed and voted on separately:
o 8(b) —Paint Mine Barn Preservation — Glenn Parker asked if there is any
environmental contamination work planned on this project. Per the CPC request, it does not
appear that any such work is envisioned. Vote: Approve (8 -0 -0).
March 13, 2012
o 8(d) Cary Memorial Building Upgrades — There was extended discussion of the
Selectmen's proposal to reduce the requested appropriation from $550,000 to only $75,000. It
was decided to defer voting on this article until additional information can be obtained.
o 8(e) Center Playfrelds Drainage —Phase III— This section seeks $605,718 for
Phase III of the Center Playground Drainage project. Dick Neumeier explained how Phase III
relates to the work previously done. Vote: Approve (8 -0 -0).
o 8(fi Battle Green Master Plan Implementation —This section seeks $143,845
for the Battle Green Master Plan. It is the second phase of a multiphase project, and funding for
an additional phase will besought next year. Vote: Approve (8 -0 -0).
o 8(g) LexHAB Set -aside for Housing Acquisition — LexHAB seeks $450,000 to
replenish its housing acquisition fund. This is an annual request made in anticipation of
purchasing opportunities that may come up during the year. Mollie Garberg raised questions
about how LexHAB spends these monies; she will speak with Wendy Manz Chair of the CPC,
to obtain more information about LexHab's compliance with guidelines and promises made to
the CPC in the past. Vote: Approve (7 -0 -1).
o 8(h) Buckman Tavern Historic Structures Report /Restoration Plan Seeks
$65,000 to fund a study for the Buckman Tavern. Vote: Approve (8 -0 -0).
o 8(1) — Historic Records Preservation The Lexington Historical Society seeks
$77,268 to digitize many historical Town documents before the Town's 300 Anniversary
celebration. Vote: Approve (8 -0 -0).
o 80) Greeley Village Accessible Housing Project — Seeks $810,672 for the
construction of four units of affordable, handicap- accessible one bedroom units of housing for
people with special needs. These units will help the Lexington Housing Authority move closer
to the state target of 5% of total inventory for this type of unit. Vote: Approve (8 -0 -0).
• Articles 9 and 10 — Wright Farm Purchase. Alan Levine explained that these two
articles achieve the same goal; passing one of them will negate the need for the other one.
Alan outlined the history of this property and of negotiations for the potential purchase of this
14 +/- acre parcel. While the Committee agreed that it was premature to vote on these articles
because no agreement has yet been reached, a straw vote indicated unanimous support for the
purchase if it materializes.
• Article 11— Recreation Capital Projects. Dick Neumeier led the discussion of this
article and outlined it in separate sections: a) $46,000 to replace a lawn mower used at Pine
Meadow; b) $120,000 for hard -court resurfacing; c) $65,000 for parks and playgrounds; and d)
$60,000 for Athletic Fields. Item A will be covered with Recreation Funds and items B, C, and
D will come from the tax levy. Vote: Approve (8 -0 -0)
• Articles 13 and 14 — Water and Wastewater System Improvements. John Bartenstein
led the discussion of these articles. The water system improvements are part of an ongoing
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program to repair our water lines. About $1.2 million of the wastewater system improvement
request will be used for sewer line repairs concerning infiltration issues. Pump station upgrades
are also envisioned under this request. Other capital projects that will be funded by the water
and sewer enterprise funds are addressed in Article 12: the cost of a new Ford F -450 pick -up
truck to be purchased by the DPW will be split 50/50 between the water and sewer funds; and
$25,000 will be requested from the water fund to cover half of the cost of the annual fire hydrant
replacement program. Articles 13 & 14 were moved, seconded and voted separately both with 8-
0-0 votes.
• Article 15 — School Capital. Article 15 requests $1,307,685 for various school capital
and equipment projects. Vote: Approved (8 -0 -0).
• Article 17 — School Bus Transportation Subsidy — There was further discussion of this
article but no vote was taken.
• Article 18 — OPEB Funding. Alan Levine noted that he would like to have a detailed
discussion of the policy issues related to funding OPEB liabilities at some point, but for present
purposes would be prepared to support funding this year at the $500,000 level requested in the
Warrant. Vote: Approved (8 -0 -0).
• Article 28 — Accept MGL Chapter 200A Section 9A — John Bartenstein led the
discussion of this article, which would establish an accelerated procedure for resolving claims for
un- cashed Town checks and restoring unclaimed funds to the Town. Vote: Approve (8 -0 -0).
4. Committee Report. Glenn Parker said that he would aim to have a draft of the
Committee's Report to the 2012 Annual Town Meeting out before the next meeting on March
21 st. Editing will continue at the next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:01 p.m.
A list of documents and other exhibits used at the meeting is attached.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Cohen
Approved August 2, 2012
March 13, 2012
Exhibits
Appropriation Committee Meeting
March 13, 2012
1. Meeting Agenda posted by Glenn Parker, Chair