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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-12-AC-min 03/12/15 AC Minutes Minutes Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee(AC) March12,2015 : Town Office Building,Parker Room, 7:30 p.m. : Glenn Parker, Chair; John Bartenstein, Vice Chair and Secretary; Alan Levine; Susan McLeish;Eric Michelson; Richard Neumeier; Andrei Radulescu-Banu Members Absent:Mollie Garberg;Beth Masterman Other attendees: Joe Pato, Chair, Board of Selectmen (BoS); Carl Valente, Town Manager The meeting was called to order at 7:38p.m. Announcements: 1.Mr. Parker reported that Jessie Steigerwald isthe new Chair of the School Committee. Mr. Michelson reported that the enrollment at Minuteman Regional Technical High School will bereduced. The School’s member towns have decided to proceed with building a new school toaccommodate 628 students, although there are currently close to 800 students attending the school. This reflects plansto more closely align school size with the anticipatednumber of students from the member towns because the State-established tuitions which non-member towns payfor their students to attend the school do not include a contribution for capital expenses. The State has approved the use of a new supplemental fee payable by the non-member towns, but these towns have claimed they wouldcreate their own education programs before they would choose to assist Minuteman in funding their capital needs.The Massachusetts School Building Authority has approved the new school for State funding assistance. Liaison Reports: 2.Mr. Parker reported that the BoSrecently voted on numerous articles; their rd next meeting is on March 23. He also reported that at a Town Moderator’s meeting, articles for a Consent Agenda were identified, and it was announced thatthe subjects of Articles 12 and 13: Pleasant Street Sidewalk (citizen article) and Prospect Hill Road Sidewalk (citizen article) will be addressed under Article 11 (e): Appropriate for Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment; Sidewalk Improvements, Additions, Designs and Easements.Based on discussion, Mr. Parker will forward to the Moderatora list ofspecific articles and timeswhere this Committee intends to address Town Meeting. Capital-Related Articles for the 2015 Annual Town Meeting (ATM)and Associated 3. Special Town Meetings (STM): Thevotes taken by the BoS and Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC)were identified for a number of articles without further comment. Articles thattriggered additional discussion included the following: STM#2, Article 4: Appropriate for Cary Memorial Building Sidewalk Enhancement: The Historic Districts Commission would like graniteto be used in front of the building’s entrance stairs. Graniteis more expensive than the alternative concrete with brick border, but the Commission on Disability is concerned about granite being slipperywhen wet. The two groups will be working together to resolve the issue, but consensusmay not be achieved before the Article is brought to Town Meeting floor. Ms. McLeish questioned the need to spend an 1 03/12/15 AC Minutes additional $32,000 for granite, particularly if there are reservations about the advisability of its use.The BoS is supporting the funding for the larger amount, whichallows the project to be pursued irrespective of the materials-to-be-used decision. ATM, Article 8; Appropriate the FY2016 Community Preservation Committee Operating Budget and CPA Projects: (c) First Parish Church Restoration Historic Structure Report:This requestis controversialbecause the Church building is notTown property. The BoS voted 1-3-1 against it. (e) Battle Green Streetscape Improvements:This Article,supported by the BoS 5-0and the CEC 4-1,allows the design work on the project to progress from 25% to 100%. Completion of the 25% design work is targeted for the fall of 2015with previously appropriated funds. Without additionalfunding, the project wouldbe stalled at 25% until there is another Town Meeting. Efforts to find an improveddesign for the Harrington Avenue/Bedford Street intersection have been unsuccessful todate. (o) Grain Mill Alley Design Funds: This Article, whichrequestsadditional design funds for theproject, is not supported by the CEC. Interested parties envision it including amenities that support different modes of transportation. The property ownerswant to see the design before committing to a contractual agreement; an easement, or license, for approximately 25 years is anticipated. The owners have no plans for using the land, seeno particular advantage to them or their tenantsif the project is pursued, andhave declined to make contributions.Previously prepared designs, which cost $12,000-$14,000,were rejected, but the legal work and other elements have beenusable. If theArticleis approved, a steering committee will oversee the project with a different consultant. ATMArticle 11: Appropriate for Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment: (a) Center Streetscape Improvements and Easements—Phase 1: The CEC reversed its opposition to this Article and is now supporting it 4-1. They were influenced by information that identified only 11% of the project being related to aesthetic-onlyelements. The project design improves the lighting of crosswalks andmoves theisland to create a T- intersectionwhere atraffic signalwill be installed. Parking places onMassachusetts Avenue in front of the Muzzey condominiums will be identified. (k) Hastings Park Undergrounding Wires:The CEC opposes this item andthe BoS is unlikely to be unanimous in its position. Non-Capital Articles forthe 2015 ATM and associatedSTMs: 4.Non-capital financial articles, including those with potential financial implications, were discussed as follows: ATM, Article 21: Appropriate to Post Employment Insurance Liability Fund: Mr. Valente explained that the funds for this Article areavailable because of the excess that is in the Health Care Trust Fund and the amount beingrequestedreflects BoS guidelines. This Committee discussed its recommendation to reduce the funding request to an amount comparable to the $1.2 million that was appropriated during the 2014 ATM for this fund. Comments focused on the pressures on available funds and the subsequent impact on the taxpayer, asfollows: Large capital expenses are anticipated in the near future.Not minimizing the impact of these on the taxpayer could jeopardize passage of adebt exclusionreferendum. A new high school is not currently identified asa near term project, but the need to replace in the not-too-distant future should be considered. Small capital needs should not be ignored while the large projects are pursued. 2 03/12/15 AC Minutes There may be shortfalls in state aid. The Retirement Board has voted to follow a schedule with a target date of 2025 for full funding of the Retirement Fund. This target date is much earlier thanthe legally required 2040deadline. Interest rates for exempt service are low. New growth is down. Maintaining flexibility is critical, and it isn’t necessary to make such a large commitment at this time.An additional amount can be appropriated for these purposes during a fall STM if it appears to be appropriate at that time. Mr. Valente agreed that flexibility is important and noted that the current model for funding the large capital projects assumes a 20 year debt service but this could go to 30 years. Mr.Pato added that the BoS has unanimously supported the Article as written in the Warrant, but that position can be revisited. ATM, Article 22: Adjust Retirement COLA Base for Retirees: Mr. Pato reported that the BoS’ supportforthis Articlereflectsits interest increating parity with the teachers’ pension program, which is handled by the State. This Committee explained its concern relating to the increase onthe Town’s unfunded pension liability. ATM, Articles 39 and 40: Repeal General Bylaws –Sale and Use of Tobacco and Amend General Bylaws –Sale and Use of Tobacco: It was noted that if Article 39 passes, Article 40 will be indefinitely postponed. ATM, Article 41: Amend General Bylaws –Contracts and Deeds: Mr. Bartenstein questioned the wording in the Article. Mr. Valente agreed to revisit it. ATM, Article 42; Commission on Disability Request: Mr. Pato reported that the BoS has adopted a policy to use sidewalk materials, i.e., concretewith brick borders,in Lexington center that are consistent with this request.On an immediate basis, STM#2, Article 4and ATMArticle 11(a) include construction of such sidewalks on the north side of Massachusetts Avenue. Additionally, ATMArticle 11 (a) includes lighting near crosswalks for better visibility. ATM, Article 44: Resolution on Fossil Fuel Divestment (Citizen Article):Although this is a non-binding resolution, Mr. Radulescu-Banu reported that the Retirement Board and the Trustees of Public Trusts oppose the adoption of the Article because it could conflictwith their fiduciary responsibilities. Other comments included the following: The Town invests in mutual funds, which often have a fossil fuel component, but there are also “green” mutual funds. The Town has fiduciary responsibilities andenvironmental responsibilities; this Article appearsto create aconflictbetween them. It isn’t clear how the environmental impact of this resolution, if adopted, could be measured. Fossil fuel consumption causes negative environmental impacts. The BoS voted 0-2-3 onthis Article; some Selectmen abstained until they hear the results of the finance committees’ votes. A motion was made and seconded to support Article 44. The motion failed. VOTE: 0-5-1 Consent Agenda: 5.Mr. Parker identifiedATM articles that are being considered for the Consent Agenda. Theremust beunanimous support by the BoS and the finance committees for them to be included.It was noted that this Committee does not take a position on non-financial articles. The articles were reviewed and voted on, as follows: Article 6: Appropriate for Senior Service Program: 3 03/12/15 AC Minutes A motion was made and seconded to support Article 6. The motion passed. VOTE: 6-0 Article 10: Appropriate for Recreation Capital Projects: A motion was made and seconded to support Article 10. The motion passed. VOTE: 6-0 Article 17: Technical Correction to the borrowing Authorization under Article 13b (School Capital) of the 2014 ATM:This Committee has already voted 9-0 to support this Article. Article 19: Martingale Road Street Acceptance:This is not a financial Article. Article 20: Richmond Circle Street Acceptance:This is not a financial Article. Article 24: Appropriate Bonds and Notes Premiums:This Committee has already voted 9-0 to support this Article. Article 27: Appropriate to Stabilization Fund\[Motion for Indefinite Postponement(IP) anticipated\] Article 28: Appropriate from Debt Service Stabilization Fund A motion was made and seconded to support Article 28. The motion passed. VOTE: 6-0 Article 32: Establish Qualifications for Tax Deferrals\[Motion for IP anticipated\] Article 33: Authorize Home Rule Petition for Tax Relief\[Motion for IPanticipated\]: Mr.Valente reported this Article, as envisioned, was not cost-effective. It may eventually be revisited. Article 37: Amend General Bylaws-Street Performers:This is not a financial Article. A motion was made and seconded to support the above articles for the Consent Agenda. The motion passed.VOTE: 6-0 6.Committee Report to the March 2015 STM:There was a brief discussion about the report. A motion was made and seconded to approve the current draft report, subject to minor edits.The motion passed. VOTE: 6-0 The meeting was adjourned at 10:04p.m. The documents used at the meeting are listed below. Respectfully submitted, Sara Arnold Recording Secretary Approved March 30, 2015 Exhibits 1.Agenda,posted by Glenn Parker 2.Article 44: Fossil Fuel Divestment; material prepared by Fran Ludwig, March 5, 2015 3.Emails between Alan Fields and Fran Ludwig, February 15 and 16, 2015, Re: Lexington Divestment Resolution 4