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APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE
DATE: August 16, 1976
TIME: 7:30 P.M.
PLACE: Town Office Building-Room G-15
PRESENT: Edward E. Furash, Chairman, Donald B. White, Vice
Chairman-Schools, J. H. Blaisdell, Secretary, Peter
Hall, Vice Chairman-Gen. Gov't. , Martin Gilman,
Howard Levingston, Mitzi Kutchin, Richard M. Perry,
'-° Ex-officio.
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I . The meeting came to order at 7:40 P.M.
II . MYSTIC VALLEY
Correspondence was placed on file by Mr. Levingston concern-
ing a new group - "Metropolitan Organization for a Regional
Effort in Mental Health" - M.O.R.E.
III . COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
Chairman Furash made the following points resulting from a
meeting with Messrs. Kassler, Butler, Craine and Cooke :
1. Police
Have not as yet settled 2 year contract. The only
thing open is money. The Union has rejected settlements
twice -- it is a very difficult situation. The next step
is to bring in the local arbitrator ,to see if he can tip
it over. It is the feeling on the part of the labor
counsel that if Dave Brosky could be brought in it would
be very beneficial.
2. Fire
Situation is at a total impass with a fairly difficult
labor counsel. There is a total unwillingness to settle.
The next step is "fact finding% This will go to "last
best offer" arbitration. We have to put as much effort
and energy into the "fact finding" as we did into our
triple AAA rating the Chairman said.
IV. FINANCIAL STATUS
Mr. Perry placed a letter on file from Gordon A. McGill,
Director of Accounts for the Commonwealth stating that the
amount of available funds as of July 1, 1976 for the Town of
Lexington is $141,923.29 (Deficit) . Chairman Furash stated
that this is a most unbelievable situation for the Town to be
in and if we had any knowledge of this we would have taken
different steps at Town Meeting. We expected $4.5 million on
Cherry Sheet and only received $3.4 million. Present tax rate
is estimated at $80.20 by information from Assessors.
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V. Resolutions to be presented to the Board of Selectmen by
Chairman Furash are as follows:
1. 5% reduction in expense is not sufficient. Must be
looked into on a programatic basis.
2. We suggest that they adopt a freeze on headcount, no
overtime , no extra help, cut in Town Manager's office.
3. Restriction on use of town vehicles for personal use.
Keep cars parked in town lot overnight. Cars should
not be taken out of town except for business purposes.
4. Get tax bills out early - rapid collection of taxes
necessary.
5. Withhold raises -- especially those of January 1, 1977.
6. Hold special Town Meeting to cut and reduce , i.e . , Blue
Cross/Blue Shield.
Upon motions duly made and seconded, the above resolutions
were approved by the Committee to be presented to the Board
of Selectmen in view of the financial condition of the Town.
SO VOTED
VI . SCHOOLS
Chairman Furash asked Mr. White to contact Mrs. Swanson to
arrange a meeting of the School Committee to review the
financial status.
VII . DPW
Mr. Hall received a communication from Jr. McSweeney, Dir.
of Public Works, advising him of a meeting re Drainage of
the Sanitary Landfill, scheduled for Wednesday, August 18,
1976 at 11:00 A.M. with Dr. Kassler. Mr. Hall so advised
the Chairman that he will not be able to attend said meeting
and will so advise Mr. McSweeney.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 13, 1976 or before
if necessary.
Respectfully submitted,
Y. H. Blaisdell/mo'b
Secretary