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Budget Collaboration Meeting
January 19, 2005
A Budget Collaboration Meeting was held on Wednesday, January 19, 2005, at
6:30 p.m.
in the Library Media Room at Lexington High School. Members of the Board of
Selectmen, School Committee, Appropriation Committee and Capital
Expenditures
Committee were present.
Mrs. McKenna called the meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order.
Mr. Griffiths called the meeting of the School Committee to order.
Ms. Brown called the meeting of the Appropriation Committee to order.
Mr. Lamb called the meeting of the Capital Expenditures Committee to order.
Ms. Vine began the meeting by discussing the Moody’s meeting that took place
on
January 14, 2005. Ms. Vine told the group that Moody’s strongly recommends
the Town
review its policies regarding the Stabilization Fund, the use of Free Cash and
Pension
Holiday. Ms. Vine hopes to receive results of the meeting this week.
Review of Municipal & School Budget Development
Mrs. McKenna stated that the Board of Selectmen has reviewed almost all the
municipal
departments budgets. The Board is still addressing where critical needs are.
Mr. Griffith, School Committee, said level services would not accommodate
enrollment
increases in the schools. Mr. Griffith also said the School Committee had voted
to adopt
the Superintendent’s level staffing budget for FY06. The level-staffing budget
includes
$820,000 for growth.
NESWC Settlement
Mr. Ryan, Acting Comptroller, told the Boards that the Town’s contract with the
Andover plant expires in September 2005. At the conclusion of the contract the
Town
will receive approximately $500,000 reimbursement. The funds will be an FY06
receipt;
they are not reflected in the proforma presented to the Boards tonight.
The Boards need to determine the best use for these funds.
Ms. Brown, Appropriation Committee, reminded the group that the NESWC
Settlement
is a non-recurring receipt and it has been the policy of the Town not to use non-
recurring
receipts to pay for reoccurring expenses. Ms. Brown suggested adding the
$500,000 to
the Stabilization Fund, this would free up tax levy dollars to reduce the current
budget
gap.