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APPROPRIATION CCMIV"ITTEE
DATE: December 30, 1974 --
TIME: 7 : 30 P.M.
PLACE : Town Office Building, Room 111
PRESENT: Edward E. Furash, Chairman, Jack L. Mitchell, Vice
Chairman, Gen. Gov' t. , Donald B. White, Vice Chairman,
Schools, J. H. Blaisdell, Arthur T. Bernier, Martin
Gilman, Howard L. Levingston, Patricia Hagedorp,
Richard M . Perry, Comptroller
I . MEETINGS
1 . Personnel Board - January 13, 1975 at 7 :30 P.M.
2. Board of Selectmen - January 13, 1975 at 9:15 P.M.
Discussion of Expense Budgets.
II . General
a. "Stingier than usual" was the classic comment made
by Chairman Furash at the opening of the meeting:
b. Guidelines and Policies for 1975 was the topic discussed
at this meeting. We will be very reluctant to see in-
creases in the number of personnel or the services
offered by any department, Mr. Furash stated.
c. We are looking for tradeoffs and increased productivity
to hold expenses down.
d. Budget to be presented to Town Meeting in two phases:
l .departments to present budgets based on the same
number of staff and the same wages as are in effect
this year; a second budget would like the cost of
the same personnel, with the wage increases settled
on in collective bargaining. Both budgets would be
voted on.
2.PM"rs . Hagedorn suggested that a third category be added,
including the cost of adding any new personnel.
e . Minuteman Vocational-Mr. White stated that there would be
a substantial increase here contrary to prior thinking.
Preliminary budget is up and double previous years - 3
million. Audio Visual is $90,000 and too high. Data is
sketchy here and Mr. White is to follow through with the
Committee and report to the Appropriation Committee.
f. School budget - first figures have come in from the
Committee at $15,000,000. This is much too high Mr. White
stated and I am sure it will go down some .
g. Chairman Furash stated that he is reluctant to add any new
people , however, we are going to listen carefully to any
critical areas.
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h. Mrs. Hagedorn stated that perhaps it is time
to start thinking "more productivity" and this
could mean fewer people. Mr. Levingston agreed
on this point.
i. Mr. White stressed that a fresh look is necessary
at services all the way down the line, i.e. ,
maintenance etc.
j . Chairman Furash stated that non-controllable items
such as electricity, fuel, gasoline etc. , will not
be exempt from scrutiny and a report on the use of
each item will be required by the town departments.
k. Mr. White asked that perhaps it was a good time to
start cost-reduction programs with rewards for
employees who contribute worthwhile ideas.
C- 1. Management-controllable expenses such as dues,
convention fees and out-of-state travel are items
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which the Committee feels must be looked into.
m. Messrs. Bernier and Levingston were requested by
the Chairman to looking into the background of the
combining of two forces - Police and Fire in
Arlington. Why and how this was done? They will
report back to the Committee .
Upon motions duly made and seconded EXECUTIVE SESSION was
VOTED at 9:00 P.M.
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M.
Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 6, 1975 at
7 :30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth M. Flynn/mo'b
Secretary
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