HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-09-AC-min RECEIVES"
02/09/2022 AC Minutes
2022 22 11:'6131 611 ppiin
TOINN CLERK Minutes
Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee (AC)
LE)ONGTON NIA February 9, 2022
Place and Time: Remote Participation: in accordance with Section 20 of Chapter 20 of the Acts of
2021 "An Act Relative to Extending Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of
Emergency", communication took place via a Zoom teleconferencing session that was open to the
public; 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Glenn Parker, Chair; Sanjay Padaki, Vice-Chair; Alan Levine, Secretary;
Anil Ahuja; John Bartenstein; Eric Michelson; Meg Muckenhoupt; Lily Manhua Yan;
Carolyn Kosnoff, Assistant Town Manager, Finance (non-voting, ex officio)
Member(s)Absent: None
Other Attendees: David Kanter, Capital Expenditures Committee liaison; Todd Rhodes
Mr. Parker called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m., reviewed the authorization for meeting
remotely, and stated that the meeting was being recorded for the purpose of creating minutes.
Announcements and Liaison Reports
Ms. Kosnoff reported that staff provided the Select Board (SB)with a review of the recommended
changes to be made in the FY2023 Town Manager's Budget& Financing Plan (Brown Book) as
compared to the FY2023 Town Manager's Preliminary Budget&Financing Plan (White Book).
The SB subsequently approved the revised Program Summary for the Brown Book. The Brown
Book is being finalized and will be made available in electronic form and as hard copies. In this
Committee's draft report, the information that is linked to the basic budget data in WDesk will be
automatically updated and will be consistent with the corresponding data in the Brown Book.
Mr. Michelson reported that Kathleen Dawson had been selected as the new superintendent for
Minuteman Technical High School, starting at the end of the current school year.
Mr. Parker reported that the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) had contacted
Lexington Public Schools Supt. Hackett about participating in the MSBA process for receiving a
State grant towards rebuilding or renovating Lexington High School. Ms. Kosnoff added that
$1.8 million for an MSBA-required feasibility study as a debt financed item is included in the
budget, but an appropriation request for such a study is not included in either the 2022 Annual
Town Meeting (ATM)warrant or the Special Town Meeting (STM)2022-1 warrant. Another STM
would be required for such an appropriation request, and the timing for such needs to be discussed.
It was noted that the scope for Article 25: Appropriate for Worthen Road Recreation and Education
District Land Use Concept Plan (Citizen's Article) (Article 25) does not include funding for and
therefore cannot be used for a feasibility study.
Discussion of Articles with Financial implications for the 2022 ATM and 2022-1 STM
Committee members reported on steps they had taken toward preparing material for this
Committee's report to the ATM and STM. This included some changes in assignments and the
identification of data that is needed from the Finance Department. Ms. Kosnoff said that the Town
expects to receive the certification of retained earnings in the near future, after which this will be
made available. Ms. Kosnoff agreed to prepare a table showing the annual automatic transfers into
and out of the various stabilization funds. It was noted that Article 25 is likely still under discussion,
1
02/09/2022 AC Minutes
and it is premature to write material on it. There was also some clarification related to the use of
WDesk, particularly in terms of linkage to Town material.
Mr. Padaki reported that Dave Pinsonneault, Department of Public Works Director is planning to
attend the AC meeting next week to discuss Article 11: Appropriate for Recreation Capital Projects
and Article 12: Appropriate for Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment. It was agreed that
John Livsey, Town Engineer should also be invited. Mr. Michelson agreed to invite Mike Cronin,
Department of Public Facilities Director to attend on either February 16 or 23.
During discussion about the Police Station project, Ms. Kosnoff reported that the Town had
requested permission to demolish the Hosmer House, which must be moved from its current
location before construction can begin. The Historic District Commission has not responded to date.
Ms. Kosnoff said that a temporary location to which the house could be moved had been identified,
should such a move be necessary. There are funds in the budget for the construction of a new police
station for moving or demolishing the building.
Recommended Consent Agenda for the 2022 ATM
Mr. Parker shared the list of suggested consent agenda items prepared by the SB. It was noted that
this Committee's considerations for inclusion on the consent agenda generally focus on whether the
item is routine in nature, its cost, and whether it is a debatable need. It was also noted that the Town
provides background material for articles whether or not they are included on the consent agenda.
This Committee determined that it would not recommend adding any items to the SB's list, and
most of the items on the list were considered appropriate to include. It was decided to recommend
excluding the following items from the SB's Consent Agenda recommendations:
• Article 10: Appropriate for the FY2023 Community Preservation Committee Budget and
Community Preservation Act Projects
(f)Playground Improvements—Hard Court Surfaces because of the cost and because
it is an elaborate project
(i) Lincoln Park Master Plan because of concern about on-site storage limitations
expressed at previous Town Meetings and because of the needs to refurbish paths
and turf in the area.
• Article 16: Appropriate for Public Facilities Capital Projects:
(g)High School Emergency Funds because if the funds are needed, this would be a
debt expense, and because it is not customary to appropriate funds for an
unidentified project.
Mr. Parker agreed to forward the recommendations to Kelly Axtell in the Town Manager's office. It
was also agreed that these positions are preliminary; this Committee's support of items for the
Consent Agenda could change. An example noted was Article 25, which would be supported for
inclusion if the motion under the article is indefinite postponement.
Initial Committee Positions (Votes) on Warrant Articles
Two projects were identified as potentially being opposed by at least some of this Committee's
members.
• Article 10(k)Lexington Housing Authority Board— 116 Vine Street Construction Funds
• Article 25
Mr. Kanter noted that there may be opposition to Article 16(h) Town Pool Water Heater
Replacement because of concerns about the oil-fired technology that may be proposed.
2
02/09/2022 AC Minutes
Minutes of Prior Meetings
A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the February 2, 2022 meeting, as
edited. The motion was approved by roll call vote. VOTE: 8-0
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 9:04 p.m. The motion was approved. VOTE: 8-0
Respectfully submitted,
Sara Arnold
Approved: February 16, 2022
Exhibits
Agenda, posted by Mr. Parker
• 2022 Annual Town Meeting Consent Agenda Articles, Select Board
3