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APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE
DATE: January 5, 1976
TIME: 7 : 30 P.M.
PLACE: Town Office Bldg. Room 111
PRESENT: Edward E. Furash, Chairman, J. H. Blaisdell, Peter Hall,
Maxine Kutchin, Martin A. Gilman, Patricia A. Hagedorn,
,,,,,t Richard M. Perry, Secretary
I. Chairman Furash asked the Committee to make note of the following
dates:
Town Meeting - March 22, 1976
Report in Mail - March 8 , 1976
Report in Print - March 5 , 1976
Report Completion - February 16-21, 1976
II. PERSONNEL BOARD
The Chairman reported his comments following a meeting with
Messrs. Butler, Chapman:
1. Chairman Furash was not happy at all with this meeting
and does not want to go ahead with a by-law board.
2. The issue is not another Board. Harassment is not going
to do it.
3. We are not going to be able to accept the proposals from
the Board and the Town Manager on the increases in manpower.
Common sense says we have to cut some things .
III. GENERAL DISCUSSION
a. Mr. Blaisdell made the following comments re budget figures:
1. What do we want to do with the tax rate?
2. What can we allow for an increase?
3. Numbers are very discouraging. They are the same
as they were before Town Manager time.
b. Estimated Tax Rate - $6. 00
General Government - 7%
School - 6 1/2 -7% (1 mil)
Voc. School - Stable
Expense Budget - 7%
Debt Ant. - Standard
Debt Reduction - down $100 ,000
Art IV - 1 mil - $400 ,000 over last year.
1-88
c. Ballfield Lighting
May come in for this additional money again this year.
d. Chairman Furash stated that in order to keep to a $3 . 00
increase 1/3 must be cut. We must get 500-700 out of the
present increase of 1 mil too much.
e. Mr. Blaisdell stated he felt we should be firm and
recommend to the Town Manager the numbers which we think the
town can be run on.
f. Town Manager O'Connell wants 1 mil and anything over that
comes out of federal funds.
g. Audit of Chapter 766 may take place.
h. Use of town cars - Chairman Furash is still hearing about
cars being seen in Mair2 and New Hampshire. Proof on this is
very hard unless pictures are taken.
i. Don White to ask School Committee to come in next Monday
night. Chairman Furash made the following points :
1. 1 mil increase too high in view of dropped enroll-
ment. We will fight this .
2. Closing of schools - projections are now that we
will be having a decline for 5 years and then it will
reverse itself - maybe we could shut up wings instead
of entire schools?
III. The following are key questions to be discussed with the Board of
Selectmen:
1. 1065 - what reductions could occur from consolidated purchasing
of supplies and stationery?
2. 1080 - what is replacement of worn out items and what is new
or additional?
3 . 1090 - why are we looking for outside help in areas where our
own professionals or citizens be utilized?
4. 1141 - What is the increase and to what degree is that increase
relative to collective bargaining agreements?
5. 1142 - what kind of general control and review is placed on
the control of mileage?
6. 1146 - what is the specific expenditures plan?
7. 1148 - what is the nature of the expenditure?
8 . 1250 - will this actually be spent and on what?
9 . 1350 - a. is this level of expenditure for publications a
professional nicety or an administrative necessity?
what is the cost benefit here?
b. While the advertising budget is basically transfers,
what is our anticipated level of hiring that requires
a doubling of the amount. Have other accounts been
reduced by these transfers?
c. What is long service recognition? Isn' t this more of
the Selectmen' s recognition where they already have
item on their budget for such type items?
d. Why is stationery different from office supplies or
printing?
e. Why a repeat of present fiscal year request of $1,000
for the record system?
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10 . a. 1750 - re Auto Insurance of 50%. We would like a list
of actual accidents and claims signed that reflect this
increase.
b. Accidents and claims that were not filed.
c. Do all people under 25 have driver education?
11. 2370 - Explanation sheet necessary.
12. 1760 - do the Selectmen wish to continue with this level
of support or go to citizen?
13. Mrs. Hagedorn is to ask the Selectmen why they are not going
to combine elections .
14. 2250 - why is this budget increased?
15. 2050 - are we doing another complete census in fiscal year?
r•.,q 16. 2380 - Explanation needed.
---� 17. 2400 - Explanation needed.
18. 2460 - Mrs. Hagedorn to check into this:
a. signs made by Voc. School students - Muzzey Jr. High
b. check on possibility of hearing fees.
19. 2480 - what is the explanation on the water charge?
20 . Explanation needed on folk music program.
Meeting adjourned at 10: 00 P.M.
Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 12 , 1976.
Respectfully submitted,
� -a
111,
`Richard M. Perry/mo'b
Secretary