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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-06-28-AC-min June 28, 2007 Minutes Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee June 28, 2007 Place and time: Cary Hall, Ellen Stone Room, 7:30 p.m. Members present: Alan Levine (Chair), John Bartenstein (Secretary), Rod Cole, Richard Eurich, David Kanter, Pamela Hoffman, Michael Kennealy, Eric Michelson, Rob Addelson (ex officio, non-voting) Also present: Town Manager Carl Valente, Budget Officer Michael Young 1. Year–end Transfers . Michael Young updated us on an anticipated request for transfers from the Reserve Fund, and for additional transfers under the 3% rule from the Salary line item. Numbers from the School Committee for general needs and to cover the Diamond Middle School flood, from the DPW, and for Workmen’s Comp are being nd refined. The deadline for 3% transfers is the end of the 2 week of July, and the deadline for Reserve Fund transfers is before the close of the books for the fiscal year. 2. Department of Public Facilities . Carl Valente distributed a copy of the final agreement for the joint Department of Public Facilities (DPF), which has now been signed by both the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee. The document was discussed. Highlights of the discussion include: a. The Town Manager is satisfied with the plan. The advantages he sees are: (1) the joint department will have on staff tradesman (electrical, plumbing HVAC) who will now work town-wide; (2) a combined custodial staff will still have primary assignments but will be able to cover in case of illness; (3) it will be easier to implement training programs due to a larger employee base; and (4) it will enable closer coordination with the Permanent Building Committee (PBC) for new construction and subsequent maintenance needs. b. The operating costs of the Department will continue to be broken down between school and municipal because the School Department is required by law to report these costs to the state. c. The DPF administration will be headquartered at the Old Harrington School. It is anticipated that a new Director will be hired by September; candidates are currently being interviewed. d. The Director will have three people reporting to him: (1) a Supervisor of Custodial Services, (2) a Director of Technical Services, and (3) a PBC Program Manager (clerk for the PBC). The Town Finance Department will continue to provide financial advice to the PBC. - 1 - June 28, 2007 e. The School Committee will be the employer of the DPF Director, and the Board of Selectmen will serve in an advisory role. The custodial staff will continue to be supervised by the managers of the buildings to which they are assigned (e.g., School Principal, Library Director). f. The DPF will be responsible for setting facility rental fees. These fees are not required to cover costs, so the DPF may choose to subsidize certain programs. The DPF may also establish additional fees. g. Carl expects it may take three years to get the DPF running smoothly. 3. Health Insurance – Labor Negotiations . Carl discussed the current status of coalition bargaining for employee health benefits and wage settlements with the unions. An agreement for health insurance benefits has been reached for FY 08 and FY 09. The School Department and the teachers have finalized a collective bargaining contract which includes a wage settlement for FY 08 only. The municipal unions are still in negotiations for FY 08 and FY 09. The Patrolmen’s wage contract is still unsettled for FY05, FY06 and FY07, and their union has asked for mediation and arbitration. A question was raised about using the State GIC for health insurance. Carl explained that this would be difficult because under current state statute, the Coalition Bargaining unit would have to accept this change. 4. Shire Carl reported that the state has designated parts of Lexington as an “Economic Target Area.” This will allow the town to offer Shire a tax increment financing (TIF) agreement. Shire wants to conclude negotiations by the end of the summer so that it can start lab construction by January 2009. 5. Minutes. Minutes for March 15, 2007 and May 17, 2007 were approved. 6. BOS Goal Setting. Alan will forward all committee suggestions for Goal Setting to the Board of Selectmen. 7. Committee Changes. An enthusiastic thank you was offered to David Kanter, who will be leaving the committee to take a seat on the Capital Expenditures Committee. Susan McLeish has been appointed to replace him. The meeting was adjourned shortly after 10:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Eric Michelson Approved January 31, 2008 - 2 -