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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-12-06-AC-MIN.pdf 177 APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE DATE: December 6, 1975 TIME: 9 : 00 A.M. PLACE: Town Office Bldg. Selectmen' s Room PRESENT: Edward E. Furash, Chairman, Donald B. White, Vice Chairman- Schools, Maxine Kutchin, J. H. Blaisdell, Harry Hall, Patricia A. Hagedorn, Richard M. Perry, Secretary Board of Selectmen ``1 Capital Expenditures Committee I. BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE Town Report - Due to a Bicentennial Insert in the report the cost will be raised approximately $4500 . Chairman Furash stated that we could not handle this as a Reserve Fund Transfer as the expense is not extraordinary or unforeseen. Therefore, I think it should come out of the Selectmen' s budget. J. Blaisdell concluded he felt it should come out of the Bicentennial Committee' s budget. Chairman Bailey stated he felt the added funds should come from Article 34 of the 1974 Town Meeting. II. RECREATION Ballfield Lighting 1. Original figure $38,000. 2. Figure now in excess of $60,000 . 3 . Land for a better site? Is this possible, i.e. , Harrington? No reason to consider a change stated Mr. Busa as the center is the prime location due to High School and Hayden facilities . 4. Selectman Kassler stated he would like to see several baseball fields even though they are not considered prime fields - I cannot see spending additional $10 ,000-15 ,000 when we need the money for other things Dr. Kassler stated. 5. Chairman Bailey asked Mr. McSweeney if the $38 ,000 would buy lights on any field and he replied it would be "very close" . 6. Chairman Furash stated he felt the project should be put on the shelf and go back to Town Meeting for the additional money. 7. This is exactly why we asked for the recreation study. 8. Mr. McSweeney stated that engineering money was essential here in order to go to Town Meeting with the facts. 1,7.8 9. Mr. McSweeney explained to both Boards that after getting into this project they could see that they were well over the $38 ,000 and before we go out to bid we should wait before going ahead with plans and specs . 10. Alan Kenney asked Mr. McSweeney if he was confident $60,000 would do it and he said "yes" . 11. Mr. Briggs made the following points relative to the survey sent out to homeowners : a. sent out to 1 out of every 4. b. 1300 back so far. c. cut off date December 5, 1975. d. study completed by December 10 , 1975. e. December 29th there will be a raw report of answers received. f. January 30th Mr. Diamond' s report will be received. g. Mr. Briggs is hopeful of a written report to hand out prior to Town Meeting. 12. Chairman Bailey gave his thoughts re the Ballfield lighting: a. Town meeting members were not initially enthusiastic over this project. b. If we spend money on this and go back to Town Meeting and tell them it will cost 61,000 , I don' t think they will go for it. c. I think you should go to Town Meeting and state your problem: 13. Chairman Furash made the following comments: a. Credibility of the Recreation Commission is at stake. b. Go to Town Meeting and state the problems as such, i.e. , borings -- not sufficient funds. c. It will take another year to complete this project. 14. Mr. McSweeney stated he didn' t feel he could go into Town Meeting with another Article. 15. Chairman of the Capital Expenditures Committee, George Silverman stated he would be prepared to support Recreation at a higher capital cost provided end results were seen. 16. Selectman Bailey further stated that: a. Deal with ballfield lighting project all by itself. b. Should we provide any further engineering or go into Town Meeting and state the problem. c. Master Plan should be followed through. 17 9: III. DPW 1. Road Machinery - Budget reduced from $134, 000 to $127 , 200. 2. Top priority - green snow loader - $46 , 000. Snow blowers alternative but dangerous , especially in the center. 3 . Chairman Furash asked Mr. McSweeney for a list of new machinery and exactly what we are trying to accomplish with its use. Mr. O'Connell agreed with this request and said it would be done. ' 4. Peter Hall made note of the conflicting data relative to road machinery and inventory listing. Mr. McSweeney C. stated that the inventory listing was prepared during e% summer and that it would all be corrected and given to Mr. Hall on Monday, December 8, 1975 . There is to be .a meeting with Mr. McSweeney, Capital Expenditures Committee, Mr. Hall and a member of the Board of Selectmen to discuss this. 5. Catch Basin Truck Up to now it has been done by a private contractor - $ 2.09per catch basin - 1 town employee goes along. This will pay for itself in two years. No new men necessary here if new truck is purchased Mr. McSweeney stated. 6. Chairman Furash asked for a productivity analysis on _ all new equipment. What is cost effectiveness? 7. Radios 2 requested -- sweeper, tree truck. 8. Flagpole Aluminum - $22,000 Fiberglass - $12, 000-13, 000 -- $4, 000 instalation. More data being gathered re this and will be reported as soon as received. Chairman Furash stated something should be done on this at ' 76 Town Meeting and perhaps dedicated on the 4th of July. This should definitely be discussed with the Historic Districts Commission before any decisions are made. 9. Fire Department Engine Federal funding possible here. This will be looked into by Town Manager O'Connell. Mr. Bailey has asked that the Chief take a real look into the need for this engine. 10. Police Firing Range a. Town Manager O'Connell stated that he is deferring this for the moment and will come back in a couple of weeks with a small figure to be taken out of the current budget. b. E. Furash asked that we get an opinion from Town Council re the possible legal risk being taken here. c. Range has been shut down for present. ISO d.Looking into possible outside ranges and cost. Must qualify twice a year - however practice time is necessary. 11. Dog Kennel - almost finished. 12. Monroe School - waiting for the School Committee on this. 13. Board of Assessors Meetings - A. Kenney and J. Blaisdell to attend. 14. Westview Cemetery - portion of property for sale $70 ,000. Suggest it go to Town Meeting - keep very simple Chairman Furash stated. 15. Brook Reclamation a. Chairman Furash stated that something definitely has to be done about the brooks. They have to be cleaned. b. This is not an issue for argument but one between the Conservation Commission and the Board of Selectmen. c. What would be helpful is if the two groups would get together and will do so later. Meeting adjourned at 11: 45 A.M. Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 8 , 1975 at 8: 00 P.M. with the Board of Selectmen. Respectfully submitted, Richard M. Perry/mo'b Secretary