HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-30-AC-min
April 30, 2007
Minutes
Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee
April 30, 2007
Place and time: School Administration Conference Room, 8:30 a.m.
Members present: Alan Levine (Chair), Deborah Brown (Vice Chair), John Bartenstein
(Secretary), Rod Cole, Richard Eurich, David Kanter, Pamela Hoffman, Michael
Kennealy, Rob Addelson (ex officio, non-voting)
Also present: Tom Diaz, Tom Griffiths, Paul Ash, Mary Ellen Dunn, Peter Kelley, Andy
Friedlich, Richard Pagett, Patrick Mehr, Michael Young
FY2007 overruns
1. . Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Mary
Ellen Dunn described two major findings/conclusions with respect to overruns in the
FY2007 school budget: (1) SPED and utilities (especially electricity) continue to be the
big budget-busters; and (2) the misclassification of expenses (charging to incorrect
accounts) needs to be addressed. A lengthy and detailed discussion ensued of the types
of misclassifications that have occurred and what is being done to address them. The
Committee also sought and received assurances that there has been adequate budgeting
for FY2008. Deborah then led Committee through her proposed comments under Article
42, and the Committee voted 8-0 to approve them with edits discussed.
FY2008 budget
2. . Patrick Mehr presented his proposal to reduce the override
from $3.98 million to $2.78 million, including a proposal for $2 million in potential cuts.
Superintendent Paul Ash responded to the proposal item by item. A long discussion
ensued regarding the merits of the proposal and the pros and cons of reducing the size of
the override. The Committee then voted, 7-0, not to support the proposal.
Peter Kelley then presented his amendment to reduce the FY2008 budget by
$640K (the amount of new State Aid expected). Part of Peter’s objection is that the new
revenue wasn’t split 72%/28% between School and Municipal departments. John
expressed concern about retaining a “cushion” to deal with potential surprises in FY2008
and questioned whether it was prudent to remove the $640K from the override amount.
Deborah suggested, and Michael Young confirmed, that signs are good that we can count
on this additional $640K in aid. Al distributed a document he had drafted on the question
of whether it is prudent to use this $640K. The Committee concluded its discussion by
voting 6-1 to oppose Peter’s amendment.
The Committee voted 6-1 to approve Line item 1100. John explained his
dissenting vote as a disagreement with the revenue allocation between the base and
contingent budgets, not on the total budget amount.
Vote on Line item 2130
3. . Deborah added her vote (Rick Eurich abstained) to
make the final Committee vote 8-0-1.
- 1 -
April 30, 2007
Upcoming Meeting:
4. Al noted that the Committee was scheduled to meet
again later the same evening at 6:30 pm in the Legion Room.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah Brown
Approved January 9, 2008
- 2 -