HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-03-14-AC-MIN.pdf APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE MEETING
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1996
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, 7:30 PM
Present: P Lapointe, M Miley, M Hastings, J Pagett, M Mairson, L Peck, R Leone,
R Colwell, J Ryan
Absent: .R Borghesani
* P Lapointe provided an update on the MMRVHS issue. Letter was given to N Barnett
and R Fitzgerald but has not yet been distributed amongst the member communities. P
Lapointe along with representatives from Belmont and Arlington will meet with N
Barnett and R Fitzgerald on Friday, March 15th
* J Pagett will attend an EDCO meeting( regional school group) on March 22nd with S
Elberger
* MOTION to approve minutes of March 9, 1996 as amended. UNANIMOUS
* P Lapointe met this morning with R White, W Dailey, J Young, B Peitz. J Young
distributed a handout attempting to reconcile the "gap". W Dailey expressed concern
over the School Departments ability to control costs. There was some discussion of the
privatization of custodial services. R White will prepare a list of possible cuts as will J
Young
* General discussion of a schedule as prepared by J Young regarding the gap. The
Superintendent's and Manager's figures are correct as they currently stand. The
accounting adjustment( $ 77,499) should not be considered in closing the gap as it is
included in the Manager's allocation. The additional state aid figure appears to be high
and should be in the area of $ 265,000. The additional school revenue is an aggressive
estimate but probably attainable. Concern over how the 3-for-1 can save money. P
Lapointe will attempt to get a more detailed explanation as to how this proposed change
will save. General discussion over the possibility of bonding the pumper (see vote).
Free cash discussion centered around the fact hat there isn't enough to close the gap even
if it was the intent of Town Meeting to exhaust the reserve. The snow deficit is currently
closer to $ 800,000 and can be reduced by application and receipt of state aid and FEMA
aid, estimated to be approximately $ 160,000.
P Lapointe will attempt to clarify some of these numbers and identify a gap
* General discussion over establishing a free cash policy by the AC. P Lapointe will
identify what the free cash figure should be if the policy was to have 5%, 2.5%, or 1.5
of the operating budget set aside as a reserve
* J Pagett has requested supporting documentation from the Town Manager that the
Lexington School Department is experiencing the second fastest growth in the state.
* P Lapointe distributed his Financial Planning Scenario, B along with information from
J Moynihan regarding the School Department's capital request and a base line cost
estimate for technology . A General discussion followed as to the incremental costs as
they accrue from year to year
* AC Reviewed and voted on the following articles:
* Article 8: Water Mains. MOTION to recommend approval of the request at $ 280,000.
UNANIMOUS
* Article 9: Sanitary Sewers. MOTION to recommend approval of the request at
$ 560,000. UNANIMOUS
* Article 10: Street Related Improvements. MOTION to recommend approval of
$ 280,000 for repairs and paving of streets and postpone voting on the tank
replacement awaiting further information. UNANIMOUS
* Article 11: Public Works Equipment. MOTION to recommend approval of the request
at $ 105,000. UNANIMOUS
* Article 14: Library Construction. Motion to recommend approval of the request subject ,
to receipt of the State Grant. The amount has yet to be determined but will
probably be greater than the $ 6,000,000 appearing in the warrant. •
UNANIMOUS
* Article 15: Minuteman Library Network: MOTION to recommend approval of the •
request at $ 68,000. UNANIMOUS
* Article 16: COA Senior Center Air Quality: MOTION to recommend approval of the ;
request at $ 60,000 and recommend that it be funded from free cash.
UNANIMOUS
* Article 17: Fire Engine Purchase: MOTION to recommend approval of the request at
$ 262,500 and that the funding bonded. UNANIMOUS
* Article 18: Fire Equipment: MOTION to recommend approval of the request at
$ 60,000. UNANIMOUS
* Article 19: Pine Meadows Improvements: MOTION to recommend approval of the
request at $ 150,000. UNANIMOUS
* Article 20: Playground and Ballfield Improvements: MOTION to recommend approval
of the request at $ 50,000. UNANIMOUS
* Article 23: Buckman Tavern Repairs: MOTION to recommend approval of the request
at $ 20,000 and that it be funded from free cash. UNANIMOUS
* MOTION to adjourn
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