HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-14-AC-MIN.pdf APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE MEETING
MARCH 14, 1994
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, 7:30 PM
Present: G Burnell, C Coughlin, S Nablo, M Mairson, P Lapointe, R Souza,
R Borghesani, C Abbott, M O'Sullivan, J Pagett, J Ryan
* AC attended BOS meeting in order to become apprised of the BOS recommended cuts
in order to balance the FY 95 budget request to be put before Town Meeting
* BOS recommendations included the following:
Accept Early Retirement Incentive for the teachers with an estimated savings of$ 150,000
Privatizing school custodial services, $ 100,000
Miscellaneous Town cuts of $ 30,000
Increase in Lottery distribution $ 150,000
Deferred compensation vs FICA, School $ 140,000,Town $ 24,000
Parking lot operations $ 43,000
Recreation Fund to offset DPW costs by $ 150,000
Tipping fee reduction $ 70,000
Vocational Ed assessment $ 68,000
"Free Cash" application $ 724,000
Wage freeze for Town employees $ 250,000
School general cuts $ 500,000
Wage freeze in schools for non teaching staff $ 200,000
* Chair Dailey stated that if the $ 150,00 in early retirement incentive is not realized the
Town will be responsible for making up 1/2 the shortfall with the schools making up the
difference. If the savings is greater the schools keep all the savings.
* AC meeting moved to the Comptroller's Office to discuss BOS budget
* Minutes of February 22nd and 28th accepted as revised.
* G Burnell stated that the BOS cuts will equal a balanced budget and he expects the SC
to agree. The AC has made other recommendations prior to having a BOS adopted
budget. Does the AC wish to proceed with AC recommendations or go with the BOS
recommendations? Motion from committee sought to support BOS recommended budget,
no motion put forth, therefore discussion of AC previously recommended cuts ensued.
* C Coughlin felt that the BOS budget put the Schools at too much of a risk
therefore privatization of the ambulance service should go forward ($ 400,000)
* S Nablo questioned the deferred compensation program being put forth. Question as
to whether there may be some future liability.
* P Lapointe suggested that the AC be prepared to make a general presentation on the
benefits to be derived from privatization.
* C Coughlin feels that the AC is simply an advisory committee and needs to be careful
of making specific recommendations. C Coughlin has spoken to R Frasier, labor
counsel for the SC about making specific recommendations in a public forum and
the possible impact on collective bargaining. The custodians have apparently
requested that the SC re-open talks due to what has already been said publicly.
* P Lapointe wished to go on record thanking C Coughlin for all her efforts in
pulling together the AC report this year with some pretty lean material. The entire
committee echoed P Lapoint's comments and thanked Chris for her efforts.
* MOTION by P Lapointe to speak to the matter of privatization, specifically the
ambulance and custodial services, including the Town buildings, and their long
term impact.
PASSED: UNANIMOUS
* Request for a motion to accept 13OS recommendations. None put forth.
* MOTION to reduce Vocational School request by $ 68,000
PASSED: UNANIMOUS
* MOTION to reduce Community Services Expenses by $ 84,000 ( Street lights and
Cemetery compressor).
PASSED: UNANIMOUS
* MOTION to reduce Law Enforcement by $ 128,000 (sector patrol) and reaffirm vote
taken for AC report.
PASSED: MAJORITY (8/1)
* MOTION to reduce Fire Personal Services by $ 400,000 (privatize ambulance) and
reaffirm vote for AC report.
PASSED: MAJORITY (8/1)
* C Abbott reported on the other votes taken this evening by the BOS.
* Article 9 (3/1) to bond $ 781,000 for DPW equipment
* Articles 11, 12, 13, support
* Article 14, Indefinitely postponed
* Article 15, wait for bids to be submitted
* Article 16, support
* Article 19, leave open, BOS surprised that the request has gone from $ 960,000
to $ 2,100,000
* Articles 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28 support
* Article 29-34 leave open
* MOTION by P Lapointe to reaffirm vote on DPW equipment at $ 331,000 from the
tax levy ( no bonding)
PASSED: UNANIMOUS
* MOTION to reaffirm vote taken on privatizing the ambulance service ( $ 400,000)
PASSED: UNANIMOUS
* MOTION to reaffirm vote taken on Stabilization Fund
PASSED: MAJORITY (8/1)
* MOTION to reaffirm vote taken on the School Department request ( $ 600,000)
PASSED: MAJORITY (8/1)
* MOTION to accept cuts proposed by BOS as follows:
Increase in Lottery Funds $ 150,000
Deferred Compensation vs FICA $ 164,000
NESWC tipping fees $ 70,000
Parking lot maintenance $ 43,000
Recreation fund subsidy to DPW $ 150,000
Vocational Ed assessment $ 68,000
Miscellaneous Town cots $ 30,000
* MOTION to apply cuts made thus far( $ 282,000) back into free cash
FAILED (3/6)
* MOTION to request that Article 4 be postponed until March 28th due to the
fact that it is now 11:00pm, the BOS voted their budget this evening and the SC
will vote theirs tomorrow evening. There simply is not sufficient time available
for the AC to complete its charge.
PASSED: MAJORITY (8/1)
* G Burnell when asked stated that the reason for his not voting with the majority on some
issues this evening is because he feels that the BOS and SC have worked very hard to
bring the budget into balance and he is uncomfortabl;e moving forward on some issues.
* MOTION to adjourn
PASSED: UNANIMOUS
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