Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-31-AC-min 2014-03-31 Minutes Minutes Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee March 31, 2014 Place and trmeS Ellen Stone Room, Cary Memorial Building, 6 30 p.m. Members present. Glenn Parker, Chair, John Bartenstem, Vice Chair and Secretary; Mollie Garberg; Alan Levine, Susan McLeish, Eric Michelson, Jonma Schonfeld, Richard Neumeier Members Absent Robert Cohen Other Attendees Theo Kalivas, Budget Officer, Dawn McKenna, Chair, Tourism Committee The meeting was called to order at 6 45 p.m. 1 Minutes. It was agreed to approve minutes at the next meeting because comments are still being incorporated. 2. Review and Confirm Positions on Warrant Articles. Mr Levine reported having looked at the Hartwell Avenue/Bedford Street traffic islands, and, given the cost, he questions the need for the landscaping that is recommended in Article 10(1) Appropnate for Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment; Traffic Island Renovations He believes the islands don't look any worse than other islands in town. He asked that his vote to support this article be changed to a no vote Mr Neumeier decided to also change his vote from yes to no The vote will now stand at 7-2 in favor of the project. Others reiterated their support of the project, noting the importance of supporting growth in businesses on Hartwell Avenue There was discussion about Article 10(a) Appropnate for Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment; Center Streetscape Improvements and Easements and Article 10(h) Appropriate for Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment; Sidewalk Improvements and Easements Mr Bartenstem is supporting these projects but is concerned that other corridors, such as Massachusetts Avenue in East Lexington and Bedford Street, are not getting adequate attention. It was noted that some questions are being asked by Town Meeting members about Article 23 Amendments to the Distnct Agreement of the Minuteman Regional Vocational School Distnct. Mr Michelson said that the Minuteman School Committee will respond to questions He will comment briefly for this Committee at Town Meeting. He clarified that only a majority vote is required at Town Meeting but Lexington's passage of the article does not mean the amendments will be adopted. All Minuteman member communities are voting on whether to accept the amendments, and they will only be adopted if all the member communities support them 3 Announcements. Mr Kalivas reported on changes in the most recent budget materials These primarily reflect the removal of$1 0 million from the health insurance line item (2300) because the premiums will not be as high as originally projected. It is proposed that these funds be allocated to the high school modular buildings ($495,000) and the Capital Debt Service Fund ($505,000) 1 2014-03-31 Minutes Ms McKenna reported that the Board of Selectmen had just voted 5-0 in support of Article 8(b) Appropriate the FY2015 Community Preservation Committee Operating Budget and CPA Projects, Visitor Center—Design Phase She confirmed that the selectmen retained discretion to review and approve final programmatic plan and design. Mr Parker bnefly reviewed the timing and process for the upcoming Town Meeting sessions, noting that some line items in Article 4 require a 2/3's vote He may cancel this Committee's meeting for Wednesday, April 2 The meeting was adjourned at 7 02 p.m A list of documents and other exhibits used at the meeting is set forth below Respectfully submitted, Sara Arnold Recording Secretary Approved April 16, 2014 Exhibits 1 Meeting Agenda posted by Glenn Parker, Chair 2