HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-06-13-AC-MIN.pdf APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE MEETING
MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1994
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, 7:30 PM
Present: G Burnell, M Mairson, P Lapointe, C Abbott, C Coughlin, J Ryan
Absent: R Borghesani, S Nablo, J Pagett, R Souza, M O'Sullivan
Invited Guests: S Elberger, R White, J Young, S Guryan
* General discussion of the Reserve Fund transfers being requested.
* R White explained the need for $ 70,000 to supplement the Police/Fire Medical
appropriation. Discussed the state statute which requires the Town to indemnify public
safety officers hurt in the line of duty. These expenses cannot be paid from health
insurance.
* R White discussed the requested $40,000 supplemental to the legal budget. He identified
some of the more significant issues dealt with by the legal department during this past
year.
* A brief presentation was made dealing with the Snow & Ice deficit remaining from this
past winter.
* A more detailed explanation of each of the requests is in the attached memo from R
White to the AC.
* J Young presented the current situation in the School department and how the projected
deficit of $ 300,000 was arrived at. Problem is due mainly to an additional eighteen (18)
students requiring outside placement. These students were not identified until after the
conclusion of the 1993 Annual Town Meeting. These students either moved into Town
or their needs were assessed subsequent to the appropriation for Fiscal 1994 being in
place. Of the eighteen (18) students, eleven (11) were placed in day programs, three (3)
were placed in the LABB program, four (4) residential placement requiring twenty four
(24) care.
* The total problem in the schools was $ 800,000 according to J Young. This was made up
of a $ 325,000 tuition problem along with a $ 475,000 "inclusion" cost. Inclusion is the
placement of children with special needs in the standard classroom with the assistance of
a tutor (IEP, Individual Education Program). All these costs are mandated by the State.
J. Young stated that the special education participation level is approximately 17% which
is the state average. The $ 800,000 problem was reduced to $ 300,000 with a LABB credit,
METCO reimbursements for special ed costs and a spending freeze.
* G Burnell asked why the inclusion costs were not budgeted properly. J Young responded
by stating that the needs were not diagnosed prior to the end of calendar 1992, the time
frame in which the fiscal 1994 budget is prepared, as well as the needs of the program
increased. The evaluation process has not changed and the parents are very much
aware of their rights under the law.
* C Coughlin indicated that the State has reduced funding for early intervention which has
placed an additional burden on the Town.
* G Burnell discussed the fact that Fiscal 1994 was an unusual year in that there was
$ 600,000 appropriated to the Reserve Fund. If funding were not at this level and we had
the same shortfalls, a special town meeting would be necessary in order to resolve the
issues.
* P Lapointe sought and received clarification from R White regarding the Police/ Fire
medical account and what the Town is liable for.
* G Burnell indicted that he had had a discussion with N Cohen regarding the options
available to the AC in dealing with the shortfalls in Fiscal 1994. The most realistic option
is for the AC to address the request this evening.
* MOTION by P Lapointe:
Transfer $ 70,000 from the Reserve Fund to Police/Fire Medical
Transfer $ 40,000 from the Reserve Fund to the Legal Department
Transfer from the Reserve Fund to the School Department an amount not to exceed
$ 325,000
Transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Snow & Ice Account the balance in the Reserve
Fund after having determined the exact amount being transferred to the School
Department.
UNANIMOUS
* MOTION to accept minutes of May 9th meeting as amended
UNANIMOUS
* General discussion of election of officers for the next fiscal year.
* Next meeting scheduled for July 11, 1994 @ 7:30 pm
* MOTION to adjourn
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