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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-23-AC-MIN.pdf APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994 COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, 7:30 PM Present: G Burnell, C Coughlin, S Nablo, M Mairson, R Borghesani, C Abbott, P Lapointe, R Souza, J Pagett, J Ryan Also present was Chairman William Dailey, and Karen Dooks (CEC) * 'Minutes of the March 14, 1994 accepted as corrected. UNANIMOUS * General discussion of Article 19,Brook Cleaning. Some confusion as to the amount being requested, thought to be in the area of $ 120,000. * G Burnell had requested and received information from the PAB re: salaries and will report to the AC after he has read the document. * Chairman W Dailey presented to the AC the compromise that the SC and BOS have tentatively arrived at. It includes the $ 400,000 of program cuts previously voted by the SC, $ 180,000 in personal service cuts, $ 124,000 in FICA savings by switching to a deferred compensation program, and $ 398,923 in projected savings and privatization. * Original School request from the Superintendent was $36,026,339,including benefits. The above changes adjust the request to $ 34,923,877,including benefits. * W Dailey stated that the ERI and privatization is the balancing figure. The SC doesn't wish to commit to a number on privatization but feels it can approach $ 350,000 on ERI. The SC has agreed to cover the first $ 250,000 of the $ 398,923 with the BOS agreeing to cover the remainder if necessary. A part of the approximate $ 150,00 would come from eliminating Lexpress Saturday service after the holiday season and opening the libraries one hour later each day ( $25,00 and $ 50,000 respectively). The BOS is not sure at this point where the remaining $ 75,000 would come from. * SC appears to feel that the major savings in privatization would be in FY 96 with only minimal if any savings in FY 95. * S Nablo stated his concern that the SC is being let off the hook and that privatization will not take place. * G Burnell stated that he felt that the Sc has committed to privatization to the maximum extent possible. * R Souza asked how the remaining $ 75,000 would be made up and W Dailey reiterated his earlier statement that he was not sure at this point in time. * W Dailey discussed the AC recommendation to cut one sector patrol in the Police Department. Current Police staffing is down five from a full compliment. This proposal would eliminate four additional positions. The Chief would make the final decision as to what is eliminated and it would probably be the DARE Program and two youth officers. * J Pagett expressed her continued support of this reduction but also expressed her support of the Police renovation and central dispatch. * G Burnell stated that he was simply trying to direct the AC in their decision making process. * S Nablo stated that he felt this issue needed to be discussed by Town Meeting. * R Borghesani is finding it difficult to connect the incase in equipment and technology with a possible reduction in staff. * W Dailey stated that if the DARE program were to be cut it would not be a political cut. * Ambulance service was the next topic of discussion. W Dailey made a case for retaining the ambulance service provided. The fire fighters have been good in the sense that they have bargained the minimum manning issue, their salaries are under control. The Town has very low number of fire fighters per thousand population. If the ambulance service were to be privatized it would mean the elimination of eight to ten fire fighters thereby making our ratio of fire fighters to thousand of population even more extreme. The ambulance service is one of the services that the citizens care very much about. * J Pagett stated that she found the salary freeze to be very troublesome. * S Nablo told W Dailey that he as an individual felt the BOS needed to take more of a leadership role in dealing with these issues. * G Burnell stated the support from the AC for the report as prepared by T. Michael Brown, of February, 1993. The BOS and Town Meeting appear to be against the privatization of the ambulance service. * DPW Equipment was discussed in depth. * P Lapointe discussed the need to protect the infrastructure and that we are creating a debt service need for the next three years with the short term borrowing. Paul expressed a reluctance to replace equipment in a division which might be privatized. A study of privatizing opportunities should be completed prior to making purchases. * K Dookes indicated that the CEC supports $ 650,000 for this article. * R Souza reiterated her earlier comments that we should perhaps only purchase the critical needs. * Wage freeze was discussed by W Dailey as well as members of the AC * G Burnell stated that the AC will continue to pursue the privatization issue where it is felt that the private sector can provide the service more economically than the public sector ( ie: janitorial services, ambulance, cemetery). * P Lapoine felt that the privatization needs to be studied more in depth with the report being available in time for the formation of the FY 96 budget requests. * C Coughlin told W Dailey that she feels a reluctance on the part of the BOS for privatization as they will equate to layoffs. * W Dailey stated that he will have a liaison between the BOS and AC on the privatization issue. * Stabilization Fund is currently receiving luke warm support from the BOS and will perhaps be IP. It certainly has a place but is not currently receiving much support. * G Burnell then asked the AC if they supported the BOS budget or wished to make their own amendments. The following amendments were presented. * MOTION to accept resolution of SC budget with BOS at $ 34,923,877. PASSED: MAJORITY (8/1) JP * MOTION to amend DPW Expenses (3000) by $ 84,786 PASSED: MAJORITY (7/2) JP,MM * General discussion of Police sector patrol. No motion made. * MOTION to reaffirm AC vote on ambulance privatization with a possible savings of $ 400,000.General discussion followed. G Burnell stressed need to be able to support the amendment at Town Meeting. PASSED: MAJORITY (8/1) GB * Article 16, Ambulance purchase discussed. Vote reaffirmed not to support. * Article 9, DPW Equipment was discussed. MOTION to support $ 372,000 with $ 331,000 from tax levy and balance from Water and Sewer Funds subject to approval of motion by Town Counsel PASSED: UNANIMOUS * If ambulance amendment fails and $ 400,000 not available, how will AC vote on DPW Equipment Article?? MOTION to bond $ 331,000 for the purchase. PASSED: MAJORITY (8/1) RS * MOTION to adjourn acmtmr23