HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-02-07-AC-MIN.pdf APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1995
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, 7:30 PM
Present: P Lapointe, M Mairson, J Pagett, R Borghesani, R Neumeier, R Leone, L Peck,
M Miley, C Coughlin, J Ryan
Also Present: J Volante, B Collier
* Minutes of January 19, 1995 approved as amended. Unanimous
* P Lapointe requested suggestion from the committee as to the format to be followed at
the public hearing on February 15, 1995.
* J Pagett suggested that the meeting to be opened with the principles as adopted by the
AC
and to be followed primarily by allowing the public to express their concerns regarding
the financial issues facing the community
* R Borghesani as well other members of the AC agreed that the committee should serve
as a facilitator and listen to the concerns being expressed
* P Lapointe stated that his sense was that the CEC would present a 10 year plan and
expect feedback from those attending the hearing
* J Volante expressed a need to understand the trends in municipal and school spending
in the recent past in order for town meeting to be able to make informed decisions
* M Miley has written a piece to appear in the Minuteman this week regarding the
upcoming public hearing and soliciting public input
* P Lapointe reported on the meeting he and C Coughlin attended at the Cannalongas on
Sunday, February 5th. The meeting was an informal session to discuss the budget
problems comprised of a good cross section of citizens
The AC doesn't enjoy much creditability at the present time
C Coughlin indicated that she doesn't feel that the town meeting members realized the
effort exerted by the AC
The feeling of the group seemed to indicate that the AC should take a stronger position
in the process. P Lapointe feels that the AC has taken positions in the past and perhaps
town meeting simply did not agree with the position. A similar feeling was expressed by
R Leone that perhaps they did not like the end result
* C Coughlin indicated that she will attend a LEXACT meeting on February 23rd
* P Lapointe returned to his suggested agenda and discussed the upcoming schedule
* General discussion on the MMRVHS report and the request of the BOS to have the AC
review for FY 97 as it is too late to review in detail the FY 96 request
* General discussion of the RePlace article. The report of the Human Services Committee
was distributed
* Request made that the AC be furnished a copy of the Warrant as soon as possible. It
will be available for pick up at the Police Station on Wednesday, February 8th
* General discussion regarding a long term financial strategy. Is there a need to review the
Town Manager's revenue projections and submit our own, or simply comment where
needed? It was agreed that comments would be appropriate.
* Lengthy discussion surrounding a time schedule to prepare, edit, review and adopt the
recommendations of the AC for the report to town meeting. Meetings were scheduled for
after the public hearing on February 15th and March 1st as well as a meeting to be held
on Saturday, March 4th at 8:00am
Intent is to be prepared to go to print by March 8th with distribution to town meeting
members at the TMMA information meetings scheduled for the week of March 13th.
* Motion to adjourn
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