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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-02-14-AC-MIN.pdf APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1994 COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, 7:30 PM Present: G Burnell, C Coughlin, R Borghesani, S Nablo, C Abbott, M Mairson, R Souza, P Lapointe, J Pagett, M O'Sullivan, J Ryan * Minutes of February 7th accepted as corrected, unanimous * J Ryan distributed notice of next meeting (February, 22nd), final draft of the warrant, and the " free cash" certification notice * C Coughlin discussed the meetings she and G Burnell have had with J Young and J Moynihan, last week and today J Moynihan is pursuing the possibility of privatizing the custodial services with a potential savings of approximately $ 350,000 when fully implemented, first year savings will be less due to unemployment costs (estimated at $ 50,000) Concern as to how the schools can remain open after "normal" hours J Moynihan estimates that he will need 19 fte's and will be able to layoff approximately 23 custodians. The 19 will provide some level of security and allow the elementary schools to remain open until 6:00pm, middle schools until 9 or 10:00pm and the high school until mid-night J Young would like to try a pilot program in fy 95 AC expressed hope that the SC will make a real effort to have this happen as well as the town The motion submitted by S Nablo has been forwarded to J Young and R White * P Lapointe expressed concern that the estimated savings would be in the area of $ 350-400,000 and that it should be more. * C Coughlin stated that J Young doesn't want to change the availability of the schools, they should be available for PTO's etc. Having all meetings in the high school could present some problems according to J Young * G Burnell indicated that he thought that the AC should give free rein to the school department to work out the numbers and convince the AC that either 19, 23 or someplace in between is the correct number * R Borghesani expressed concern over the fact that the AC and SC never can agree on the assumptions and therefore find it almost impossible to agree on the solution * S Nablo and P Lapointe will work with J Moynihan on this issue * General discussion on the position of facilities manager, should it be pursued at this time, tabled, rescinded, will it jeopardize the efforts for privatization. Leave alone for the time being and perhaps bring it back up during a discussion of the facilities study * R Borghesani distributed a handout regarding the Hastings School General discussion followed around the cost of the additions to the Harrington and Fiske as being the least expensive and the opening of the Hastings being the most expensive. Discussed a twelve year projection of all costs associated with both scenarios. Hastings would cost approximately $ 500,000 more per year, including capital, or $ 6,000,000 over a twelve year period. Page 2 of the handout dealt with capital costs ranging from $200,000 already spent to $ 4,668,000 the estimate of the total needed Page 3 highlights all the costs associated with the Hastings with the lowest estimated cost to a homeowner being $ 1,367 to a high of $ 2,191 over a twelve year period. The bottom line is estimated to be around $ 40 per year per household between the low and the high end Important issues to be dealt with are the ongoing operating costs and the loss of revenue The estimated cost of opening the Hastings will in effect exhaust the entire allowable increase in taxes in fy 95 * R Borghesani recommends that the town go forward with the opening of the Hastings but that the SC be challenged to re-think staffing levels, rentals and work extremely hard in pursuing SBAB funding. Sense is that the SC wants the Hastings to be a fully operational school in every sense and doesn't intend to scale back in any fashion (ie: Higashi School would be disruptive if they were co-existing) Sense that the SC is recouping everything lost over the past few years * C Coughlin feels that the fy 95 request will be cut back by the SC * SC has requested J Young to submit a budget reflecting a $ 400 and 900,000 reduction * R Borgheasni indicated that perhaps the libraries in each of the schools be re-claimed for classroom space, perhaps not educationally sound * G Burnell expressed opinion that consensus of committee was need for guidance for the SC. G Burnell discussed three options available: open Hastings, add rooms to existing schools, use classrooms at the high school and the middle schools to accommodate the functions of the elementary schools. No one is suggesting increasing class size The third option has been rejected pursuant to C Abbot and C Coughlins review of the facilities * C Abbott questioned need " to support an override" G Burnell stated that the AC must support a balanced budget at this point * Motion by R Souza that we support the opening of the Hastings". Seconded by M Mairson. * G Burnell asked for a show as to who would support additions to the schools, two members voted in the affirmative * Discussion on the motion followed. R Borghesani indicated that he would support the opening only if there was an assurance from the SC for good fiscal management of the plan. G Burnell suggested that we ask the SC to return with a leaner budget. P Lapointe questioned what is the educational benefit being derived for the premium being paid( ie: Hastings vs additional 16 classrooms), there is a need to take a long look at the operating costs, and a need to do it now. P Lapointe doesn't feel that these issues have been responded to with the Hastings opening plan. * Vote taken on the motion: Those in favor were RB,CC,JP,MM,CA,RS Those against were SN,PL Abstaining GB * G Burnell will notify J Young and J Obertuffrer of the vote, AC agreed that we should relay the vote of the AC * AC should also make the SC aware of the fact that the vote is a qualified vote based on previously discussed restrictions and recommendations * AC subcommittee should continue to discuss situation with school department * G Burnell stated that he never felt that he came away from a discussion with the School department with anything definitive * M Mairson suggested that the AC give the SC a % reduction guideline * G Burnell stated that the entire school budget needs to be reviewed not simply the Hastings component * General discussion and vote on the following Articles as they currently appear in the Warrant: Article 5: Supplementary Appropriations for the Current Fiscal Year $ 676,435 for schools in accordance with the wishes on the 1993 ATM. UNANIMOUS Article 8: UNANIMOUS Article 9: No vote taken, G Burnell opposed to bonding equipment Article 10: UNANIMOUS Article 11: UNANIMOUS Article 16: 6 OPPOSED, 3 ABSTAINING Article 19: 7 SUPPORTING, 2 OPPOSED Article 25: UNANIMOUS Article 26: 5 SUPPORTING, 4 OPPOSED Article 31: G Burnell opposed when vote is taken Article 32: 8 OPPOSED, 1 ABSTAINING Article 34: 9 OPPOSED Article 35: 4 SUPPORTING, 4 OPPOSED, 1 ABSTAINING * Motion to adjourn acmfeb 14