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