HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-03-19-AC-min
March 19, 2007
Minutes
Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee
March 19, 2007
Place and time: Room 111, Town Office Building, 7:30 PM, Monday, March 19, 2007
Members present: Alan Levine (Chair), Deborah Brown (Vice Chair), John Bartenstein
(Secretary), Rod Cole, Richard Eurich, David Kanter, Eric Michelson
Also present: Michael Young (Budget Officer)
The meeting was called to order at 7:39 p.m. with a quorum present.
1. Michael Young stated that we would get a look at the School budget
numbers tomorrow, and that the official budget book would go to the
printer most likely on Wednesday, and by Thursday morning at the latest.
2. A discussion of the total Town liability for future pension and health
benefits for town retirees was held. It appears that the pay-as-you-go
figure on health benefits is in the ball park of $5 million per year, but the
definitive number will be available soon when the study is completed.
3. The effects of health coverage on the town’s cost projections were
discussed (manila budget book, section IV, page 4). The number of
subscribers is held constant because we don’t know how to allocate new
hires to the town side and school side. However, the dollar amounts are
correct and properly split.
4. The concern was raised that the budget plan for the schools cuts personnel
in the event of a failed override and accordingly reduces their salary and
health insurance costs, but may not increase the amount needed to cover
unemployment payments. We need to verify that both savings and
offsetting extra costs are properly tracked.
5. Votes on Articles:
a. Article 17, voted 6-1 in favor of both parts
b. Revote of Article 31(f), voted 7-0 in favor of all but the seven fire
alarm systems, pending discussion with the Fire Chief.
c. Article 26(i), voted 7-0 in favor
d. Article 31(d), vote withheld until we understand better how it will
be funded.
e. Article 31(l), voted in favor 7-0
f. Article 31(m), no vote pending an understanding of why the traffic
study is proceeding in four parts.
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March 19, 2007
g. Article 31(n), after a discussion of State funding variability, voted
7-0 in favor.
h. Article 31(o), voted 7-0 in favor
i. Article 31(p), voted 7-0 in favor
j. Article 31(q), voted 7-0 in favor
k. Article 32, after noting that the town is moving a half cash/half
debt model to a full debt model, voted 7-0 in favor
l. Article 33, voted 7-0 in favor
m. Article 34. A discussion was held on how best to include expected
energy savings in budget projections. Concerns were raised on how
these savings will appear in future budgets if they are not properly
accounted for. Voted 6-0 in favor, with one abstention.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rod Cole
Approved January 3, 2008
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