HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-07-14-AC-MIN.pdf APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE MEETING
MONDAY,JULY 14, 2003, 7:30 PM , ROOM 111
Present:
D Brown, P Hamburger, R Pawliczek, S Spector, K Dooks, E Michelson, R Eurich, A
Levine, and J Ryan
• General discussion of the Articles on the upcoming STM on July 28, 2003.
• Discussed the time frame for accumulating all the information that will be
required in order to deal with balancing the Fiscal 2004 appropriations. Local
receipts and snow deficit will be finalized in late July or early August. A Fiscal
2004 Cherry Sheet is due currently. The Fiscal 2004 "growth" amount is usually
finalized in November but the Assessor is being pushed to have that figure in late
October. These issues must be rectified prior to setting a Fiscal 2004 tax rate,
which is scheduled for December 1, 2003.
• D Brown raised a question on the use of NESWC funds in FY 2004 to help
balance the state aid shortfall. Is the use of these funds a double counting of the
funds used to close the state aid reduction to meet the governor's proposed budget
in April 2003?
• AC discussed the need to take care of the Fiscal 2003 Snow & Ice deficit, the
anticipated sate aid reductions for Fiscal 2004 and the estimated local receipts
issues prior to entertaining and other adjustments to the Fiscal 2004 operating
budget.
• Discussed the $ 710,142 proposal put forth by the Town Manager to deal with the
final version of state aid cuts (see memo to BOS dated July 7, 2003). A Levine
stressed the need that any cuts to deal with the Fiscal 2004 shortfall should be
recurring cuts, savings or additional revenues. We should not be cutting
something that will be back in the Fiscal 2005 requests.
• Discussed the possible loss of METCO and school transportation state aid. School
transportation loss will have an impact on both Fiscal 2003 and 2004.
Superintendent Benton will attempt to absorb both of those cuts. The loss of
school transportation will require a town meeting vote to reduce the Fiscal 2004
School Department appropriation.
• E Michel son indicated that the revised MMRVHS assessment would be
approximately$901,000. We will be required to appropriate an additional
$60,000 in order to fund the Fiscal 2004 assessment.
• General discussion of the articles appearing on the STM Warrant
• Motion: In light of the pending Fiscal 2004 revenue shortfall in revenue the
Appropriation Committee does not support Article 5, Public Safety. Unanimous.
• Motion: In light of the pending Fiscal 2004 revenue shortfall in revenue the
Appropriation Committee does not support Article 4, Transportation Services.
Seven (7) in favor , 1 abstention
• Motion: In light of the pending Fiscal 2004 revenue shortfall in revenue the
Appropriation Committee does not support Article 3, Operating Budget.
Unanimous
• Motion: In light of the pending Fiscal 2004 revenue shortfall in revenue the
Appropriation Committee does not support Article 5, Operating and Capital
Budget. Unanimous