HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-02-22-AC-MIN.pdf APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1994
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, 7:30 PM
Present: C Coughlin, S Nablo, J Pagett, P Lapointe, M Mairson, R Borghesani,
R Souza, M O'Sullivan, C Abbott, J Ryan
Absent: G Burnell
Minutes of February 14, 1994 accepted as amended
* C Coughlin distributed and discussed the proposed calendar for preparing the AC report
for Town Meeting (see attached)
* P Lapointe discussed his findings and recommendations for the DPW (Community
Services). It appears that there is an increase in the FY 95 budget request for funding from
the General Fund and a reduction in Enterprise Fund and directed funding from other
sources, specifically parking meter revenue and cemetery funding. The cemetery fund
appears to be down to $ 100,000 from $ 176,000 and parking revenue appears to have
been reduced from $ 116,000 to $ 101,000.The cemetery also contributes $ 100,000 from
perpetual care. The apparent decline in the enterprise budget request is due primarily
to the fact that the MWRA assessment estimate is more accurate at this time in the
process than it has been in the past. Increases in the General Fund are in the area of
refuse and street lighting
* P Lapointe discussed the possibility of privatizing the cemetery without actually selling the
asset and recommended that the cemetery be on the list of areas for possible privatization
* S Nablo discussed the Recreation budget requests
* P Lapointe indicated that he supports the concept of a trash fee, realizing that it is
political suicide. There should be a relation between the cost of the service and the
revenue generated to cover the cost of the service. Options available are to cover all the
cost or a part of the cost of the refuse budget request.
* P Lapointe stated that he was concerned that it appears that the Recreation funds being
requested in FY 95 exceed the estimated revenue and was also eroding the surplus in the
fund as of June 30, 1993. The Town should not spend down all the reserves.
* S Nablo spoke to the privatization issue. The SC had requested J Young to identify $ 400
and $ 900,000 in cuts. Each of those scenarios had a pilot program of privatizing custodial
services at the Hastings School which perhaps would not be truly reflective. Staffing levels
suggested, elementary 1, middle schools 2, high school 5 during the day, 2 in charge at
night, 1 driver and 1 filler. With an estimate of $ 7500 for health insurance the estimated
savings for one year would be approximately $ 700,000,less 10 months of unemployment
costs, less the estimated cost of the contract $ 250- 350,000 resulting in a net savings of
around $ 50,000 for the first year.
Discussion as to whether J Young will allow privatization to take place. Sense is that he
is becoming resigned to the fact that it must be taken seriously. The estimate for the
second year savings at $ 350,000 seems low. Tn Mgr has been informed and supports the
concept. S Nablo is not optimistic that J Young is taking the issue seriously and doesn't
want to touch it
* Motion followed by general discussion. Motion," The custodial staff in the school
department should be privatized for the cleaning services with an estimated savings of
$ 350,000 per year after the first year".Motion passed, Eight(8) in favor, None(0) against.
* P Lapointe will meet with J Young and J Moynihan this week. AC should press on with
this issue
* Article 9, Public Works Equipment general discussion. CEC will recommend $ 650,000.
P Lapointe listed immediate past years appropriations for DPW equipment,
$ 270,000(1989), $ 280,000(1990), $ 300,000(1991), $ 150,000(1992). Question raised as
to whether we should be purchasing equipment for department we may wish to privatize.
Article 9 to be voted on at next meeting.
* Article 13, Pine Meadows Golf Club Improvements, general discussion of projects
contemplated. Original bids were too high. Work to be done includes the 5th hole,
replacement of the 9th hole tee and green along with the removal of the cottage. A vote
was tabled until next meeting.
*Article 14,Lincoln Park Development. CEC does not support this article. Funds requested
for a tot lot playground ($ 15,000) and a storage shed ($ 35,000). P Lapointe concerned
over expending reserves and that there should be a policy to maintain a reserve as a
percentage of annual appropriations. Motion to support Article 14, Seven (7) in favor,
One (1) against, One (1) abstaining
* Article 15, Dispatch Center/Public Safety Renovations and Equipment Purchases
General discussion followed. CEC will support $ 1,200,000. J Pagett stated that she would
meet with the Town Managers staff to get a more definitive explanation of the proposed
project. The reason for the increase from $ 1,375,000 to $ 1,800,000 is due primarily to
the handicapped access issues. There appears to be a discrepancy in the staffing levels for
dispatching, are there 8 or 4 part time dispatchers? General discussion of expenses to be
incurred at the main fire house and the East Lexington fire house. Are those costs
included in the $ 1,800,000?Article tabled until next meeting
* Article 17, Brook Cleaning. M Mairson reported that J Miller was not aware that an
Article was even on the warrant. Lexington Ridge has "contributed" $ 25,000 to the Town
for those purpose. The effort will apparently be for naught without the participation of
Waltham and the cost could be as high as $ 200,000
* Article 21, Notice of Intent Fees ( $9,700). General discussion. Motion on the Article,
Eight(8) in favor, none against
* Article 20, Stabilization Fund. General discussion. Motion on the Article, None(0) in
favor, Eight(8) against
* Article 31, General By-Law Amendment, Budget Submission. P Lapointe supports to the
extent that it may move things up a little on the calendar. J Pagett supports as it opens the
process, although the AC would become more public. S Nablo opposed especially section
(e), sections (d) and (e) are major changes in the way things have been done. Section (d)
is intended to forcer the BOS and SC to take a vote on a number for budgeting purposes.
C Abbott questioned exactly what is being amended and P Lapointe felt that parts (a),
(b) and (c) are currently in place and being adhered to. Article tabled until next meeting.
* Article 33, Override. Tabled until next meeting after a general discussion. S Nablo
questioned as to whether the override would be one department specific or a bundled
override. M Mairson favors a bundled override. P Lapointe felt that he needed a tally of
proposed cuts in order to determine the magnitude
•
* Street Lighting. Motion followed by general discussion. Motion " The Town convert to
high pressure sodium vapor street lights for Fiscal 1995. Motion failed, Four(4) in favor,
Four(4) against
* Next meeting scheduled for February 28, 1994
* Motion to adjourn
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