HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-09-22-AC-MIN.pdf 161
APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE
DATE: September 22, 1975
TIME: 7:30 P.M.
PLACE: Town Office Building
PRESENT: Edward E. Furash, Chairman, Donald B. White,
Vice Chairman, Schools, Martin A. Gilman, J. H.
Blaisdell, Arthur T. Bernier, Peter Hall, Richard M.
Perry, Comptroller
�.� Members of the Personnel Board
I . GENERAL DISCUSSION
a. Mr. Butler informed the Committee that Mr. McGonagle
was leaving the Committee on December 30, 1975.
Two recommendations were given: Harold Page - Polaroid,
Joanne Small - General Radio-Concord.
At the present time Mr. Comstock is ill thus putting
extra workload pressures on the board.
b. Personnel Manual
1. The manual compiled thus far was passed around
for the Appropriation Committee to look at. There
has been no policy in some areas established as
yet but are being worked on.
2. 19 different department heads, Board of Selectmen,
and Appropriation Committee were interviewed re
existing policy.
3. Personnel Administrator - Charles Cook has been
selected as Personnel Administrator. He is 23 years
of age and has had experience in personnel and labor
management with the Mass. League of Cities and Towns.
Mr. Chapman stated he was very bright and able young
man - Salary: $13,600.
4. Mr. Butler listed the following men and their titles:
Mr. Shaw - Projects Manager
Mr. Smith - Budget Administrator
Mr. Cook - Personnel Administrator
5. Job descriptions are in the possession of the Town
Manager. Mr. Butler stated that not all jobs have
descriptions and there is a definite need to get this
locked up.
6. Compensation Review Board - Some department heads are
riot pleased with the results of the ADL Study. The
results of this study could be reviewed by this Board.
Chairman Furash asked just what this Board would do?
a. Keep records up to date.
b. Co'tend with other daily problems.
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c. Over time , there will be other critical
cases that come along and this Board could
handle such cases, Mr. Butler stated.
Chairman Furash stated he felt a better name would
have been "Classification Board" . Mr. Furash also
raised the point -- was it possible that such a
Board could weaken the Personnel Board? Mr. Butler
stated that the Personnel Board deeply involved in
this Board and will keep a close watch on the entire
working of this Board. Chairman Furash asked the
Personnel Board if the Appropriation Committee was to
look to this Board for performance, i.e. , day to day
problems, etc. Mr. Butler said that management
reports on what is going on will be sent to the Committee
on a regular basis. Mr. Bernier said he felt there was
not the need for another Committee at this time as the
Personnel Board has not been functioning that long.
Mr. Chapman stated he felt that a Compensation Board was
a necessity to help run other Boards. We do need this
here in Lexington for Management, Mr. Chapman stated.
Mr. Furash asked that the following points be explained:
a. Judging workload levels.
b. Comments and recommendations concerning re-
organization proposals.
c. Assure the Appropriation Committee that there
was a definite need for new Board.
d. Salary decisions being made by Town Manager.
e. Objectivity in keeping it straight.
Mr. Butler stated that there have been many frustrations
to contend with during the past few months, however,
through Mr. Chapman information is beginning to filter
through. We have more information certainly now than a
year ago, Mr. Butler stated.
Mr. Furash asked the Personnel Board for a formal answer
re budgets and Mr. Butler stated his Board would do so.
Chairman Furash stated a couple of his concerns to the
Boards
1. Is Town Government properly organized?
2. What is relationship between Town Manager and
Department Heads?
3. Staffing levels should be agreed on early in year.
Mr. Chapman discussed briefly his feeling re contributions
to Town Meeting:
1. one or two members from each committee to meet at
the beginning of each month to go over key issues
to keep a common flow of thought.
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2. Mr. Hall felt this a worthwhile idea as
it would bring out the top priorities in
each group.
3. Chairman Furash stated he felt some of these
meetings try to get the Appropriation Committee
to make a commitment. I have my doubts that
an adequate job can be done here.
4. Town Manager would serve on this Committee.
II . GENERAL BUSINESS
--= a. Mr. Hall assigned to Inspections during the "75-"76
season reported to the Committee about his meeting
with Town Manager. The Town Manager agred to have
a written report re this matter available to the
Committee in about 2 weeks.
b. Howard Levingston reported that the Fire Department
would be in for a new engine.
III. RESERVE FUND TRANSFER
* Upon motions duly made and seconded, it was VOTED
to transfer the amount of $600.00 to account 2925.
*Check signing machine.
IV. EXPENSE BUDGET SCHEDULE
The about schedule was circulated to the Committee.
Chairman Furash made a few suggestions re the proposed
dates and Town Manager will have same revised.
V. TOWN MEETING
Chairman Furash recommended March 29, 1976 as the opening
of the Town Meeting. This was made to the Town Manager.
Meeting adjourned at 11:00 P.M.
Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 6, 1975 at
7:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
L i/-ut-ate 4 I ` tiu-c-r-�/n7e
Edward E. Furash, Chairman/mo'b