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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-30-AC-min March 30, 2005 Minutes Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee March 30, 2005 Place and Time: Cary Memorial Hall, 6:00 p.m. Members Present: Alan Levine (Chair), Deborah Brown (Vice-Chair), Paul Hamburger, Eric Michelson, Richard Eurich, John Bartenstein, Ron Pawliczek, Rod Cole This meeting of the Appropriation Committee was held in conjunction with Budget Collaboration Meeting VI. The attached minutes of the Budget Collaboration Meeting, prepared and attested by the Clerk of the Board of Selectmen, are hereby adopted as the minutes of the Appropriation Committee. Respectfully submitted, John Bartenstein Approved July 7, 2005 - 1 - March 30, 2005 Budget Collaboration Group VI March 30, 2005 A Budget Collaboration Meeting was held Wednesday, March 30, 2005, in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room. Members of the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Appropriation Committee and Capital Expenditures Committee were present. Mrs. Krieger called the meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order. Mr. Burnell called the meeting of the Capital Expenditures Committee to order. Mr. Levine called the meeting of the Appropriation Committee to order. Mr. Griffiths called the meeting of the School Committee to order. Mrs. Krieger began the meeting by stating the topics that will be discussed tonight are the bidding process for the Fiske School and to review the School Capital Requests. Mr. Griffiths told the group that he and Mr. Burnell, CEC, had visited the Estabrook School to survey the roof problem. There is a lot of leaking. Mr. Griffiths began a review of the items included in Article 30, School Capital Projects and Equipment. Article 30-School Capital Projects and Equipment Article 30b - Heating & Cooling Controls-Diamond and Clarke Schools. Dana Ham handed out a preliminary estimate for unit ventilators and occupancy sensor controls for the Clarke Middle School. The total estimated cost is $445,000. Mr. Griffiths said this would be funded by debt. The Town will receive a rebate of $222,500 from NStar at the completion of the project. This Article is supported by the CEC, provided the funds received in the form of a rebate are used to reduce the debt. Article 30a - Intercom/Phone Systems-Bridge & Bowman Schools. This Article requests $125,000 for replacement of outdated, unreliable intercom and phone systems at the Bridge and Bowman Schools. The School Committee considers this a safety issue. The CEC supports this Article. Article 30c - Glass Entrance Ways-Bridge, Bowman, High School. The building envelope requests $75,000 for the replacement of multiple entranceways to the Bridge, Bowman and High School. Mr. Griffith requests this article be funded by debt. The School Committee also considers this Article a safety issue. - 2 - March 30, 2005 Budget Collaboration – March 30, 2005 Article 30d - Exterior Lighting-System Wide. This article requests $100,000 for exterior lighting. Mr. Hamm stated this is needed in most elementary schools. The School Committee is requesting this article be funded by debt. This article is supported by the CEC. Article 30e - Networked School System Monitoring. The School Committee has decided not to move on this item due to the scarcity of capital funds. Article 30f - Generator-Diamond School. This article requests $140,000 for the upgrade of the Diamond School’s generator, a portable generator and other related electrical work in other school buildings. The School Committee requests this article be funded by debt. This request is supported by the CEC. Article 30g - Equipment to Maintain Buildings-System Wide. This article requests $143,000 for replacement of custodial and maintenance equipment. The School Committee recommends this article be funded by debt. The CEC only supports $50,000 towards this article. Article 31 – Maintain and Upgrade School Technology Mr. Griffiths explained this article is requesting funds, $300,000 for the upgrade of the schools’ technology systems. The CEC supports $250,000 for this article. Mr. Levine, Appropriation Committee stated that his committee has had discussions about Articles 30 and 31. The committee has not reached any final conclusions; it was waiting for further information. Mr. Levine believes the committee now has the information it needs to conduct further discussion. The Appropriation Committee requests the School Committee prioritize articles 30a, 30b and 30g and the Estabrook roof project. Mrs. Krieger stated the Selectmen would like the opportunity to discuss these articles before stating its position. Bidding Process for the Fiske School Mr. Griffith explained the Harrington School construction project was completed $1.7 million dollars under budget. The School Committee anticipates the Fiske School construction project will come in $3.2 million dollars over budget. This puts the project $1.5 million dollars over the Town Meeting appropriation. The School Committee is aware that Town Meeting will have to approve authorization for any additional funds. - 3 - March 30, 2005 Budget Collaboration – March 30, 2005 Mr. Griffiths further explained that contractor bids should be available May 2, 2005. The School Committee is asking if the BOS would prefer a Special Town Meeting or should the current Town Meeting be extended if necessary. Mrs. Krieger stated that the Selectmen would prefer the request for additional funds are submitted under Article 29, Supplementary Appropriation for Authorized Capital Improvement Projects, of the current Town Meeting. The Boards discussed Department of Revenue requirements for increasing debt exclusion funds. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 7:20 pm. A true record, Attest: Lori Manning Clerk - 4 -