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Home My WebLink About2014-04-16-AC-min 2014-04-16 Minutes Minutes Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee April16,2014 : ReedRoom, Town Office Building,6:30p.m. :Glenn Parker, Chair; John Bartenstein, Vice Chair and Secretary; Mollie Garberg;Alan Levine;Susan McLeish;Eric Michelson;Richard Neumeier Members Absent:Robert Cohen; Jonina Schonfeld Other Attendees:Theo Kalivas, Budget Officer The meetingwas calledto order at 6:43p.m. Announcements: 1.Mr. Michelson reported that the state must decide whether to allow Minuteman Technical High School(MinutemanTech)to charge the facility fees that are being proposed by the towns that are currently members of the Minuteman Tech school district. Both representatives from out-of-district towns that send students to Minuteman Tech and representatives from in-district towns have met/will meetseparately with state officials to discuss their positions. Mr. Parker reported that the Ad hoc Community Center Advisory Committee has established a number of working groups (e.g.security, governance, technology) to work on different elements associated with operating the Lexington Community Center(LCC)when it opens. It was noted that the Board of Selectmen(BoS)hasnot determined how the space in the Muzzey Building will be used after the Senior Center is moved out of that building into the new LCC.At a future meeting, this Committee will consider whether to recommend including such a decision on its list of recommended goals for the BoS. Minutes: 2.There was a motion and a second to approve the March 31, 2014,minutes with minor edits. The motion passed. VOTE: 6-0 Proposed changes to the March 24, 2014,minutes will be distributed by Mr. Bartenstein. Minutes for February 26, 2014,and March 19, 2014,are still being reviewed. Review and Confirm Positions on Warrant Articles: 3.Mr. Parkerreported that he expects a motion at Town Meeting tonight to reconsider Article 10 (l): Appropriate for Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment; Traffic Island Renovations.There will only be further discussion of this article if Town Meeting approves reconsideration.In this event, this Committee can caucus after the additional deliberations to determine whether to change its vote. It was noted that an argument for reconsideration relates to the cost per square foot for renovating the island, which is now more clearly defined. It was also noted that a Bedford company has already adopted the largest island at this intersection and this intersection has one of the highest accident rates in town,but the project does not include any safety initiatives. 1 2014-04-16 Minutes There was discussion about the potential forexcess funds being included in the budget if Town Meeting reconsidersand then does not approve Article 10 (l).In this event, the BoS, the Capital Expenditures Committee or this Committee could recommendreconsideration of Article 17: Establish and Appropriate To and From Specified Stabilization Funds.It was agreed that it is not necessary to appropriate the excess funds at this time; this could be done at a future special town meeting. There was a motion and second to notsupport reconsideration ofArticle 17 if this is brought to the floor of Town Meeting. The Motion passed. VOTE: 6-1 Future Meetings: 4.In response to a handout illustrating the amount the Town has spent for legal advice over the last five years, asrequested by Mr. Neumeier, it was agreed that this topic would be included on a future agenda.It was noted that this Committee has been invited to th meet in Executive Session with the BoS on April 29at7:30 p.m. to discuss a litigation matter. The BoS will also be meetingearlier that evening,at 6:45, to discuss the status of proposed changes to the Minuteman Tech Regional Agreement. However, since only four members of this Committee can attend the earlier meeting, it will be treated as an information-only sessionfor th this Committee. The nextregularmeeting ofthis Committee will be held on May 7at 7:30 p.m. It was noted that there is a potential rezoning article that may require a June SpecialTown Meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:16p.m A list of documents and other exhibits used at the meeting isset forth below. Respectfully submitted, Sara Arnold Recording Secretary Approved July10, 2014 Exhibits 1.Meeting Agenda posted by Glenn Parker, Chair 2.Analysis of Legal Expenditures, prepared by Mr.Kalivasfor April 16, 2014 meeting 2