HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-09-27-AC-MIN.pdf 240
APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE
DATE: September 27, 1976
TIME: 7:30 P.M.
PLACE: Town Office Building - Room G-15
PRESENT: Edward E. Furash, Chairman, Peter Hall, Vice Chairman-
Gen. Gov't. , Donald White , Vice Chairman-Schools,
John Blaisdell, Secretary, Jack Campbell, Mitzi Kutchin,
Howard Levingston
I . LIBRARY
a. Mrs. Kutchin attended a meeting with Mr. Hilton and a
representative from 3-M showing the procedure in which
a magnetic tape would be inserted in the binding of a
book -- if someone goes through the turnstyle without
checking out a book an alarm would go off. "This system
is call 'The Spartin System'" .
b. Wellesley and Bookline Libraries now have this program
installed and Simons College is in the process of installing
such.
c . It was noted that the young children are not the ones
stealing books but the adults are: This seems to be a
moral issue too:
d. The entire project is to be given more study and Brookline
will be invited in to discuss their successes and/or
problems with the system.
e . The cost would be $17,000-$18 ,000 for installation --
$500-600 a year for maintenance contract, 100 a tape for
new tapes. Over 20 years cost would be $60,000.
f. 1200 a year stolen.
g. Chairman Furash asked Mrs. Kutchin to keep in touch with
Mr. Hilton as to the progress of the project. I want to
make sure that this is not slipped into the Warrant.
h. Mr. White stated that he felt this was no way to solve
the existing problem.
II . ELEVATOR CONTRACTS
Martin Gilman has been in touch with John McSweeney, Director
of Public Works and was informed that he is waiting on Messrs.
Hilton and McInness.
III . SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS
1. October 4, 1976 - Planning Board
John Blaisdell and Don White to attend and report back.
2. October 12, 1976 - Conservation
Recreation
3. October 13, 1976 - School Committee (Informal Meeting)
4. October 18, 1976 - Board of Selectmen
IV . TAX RATE
The following economic problems confront us for the upcoming Town Meeting:
The following assumptions are made:
1 . Town Meeting will vote the same articles in the same dollar amounts as
the last Town Meeting.
2. That all receipts and disbursements (Cherry Sheet) from the State and
County will remain the same and Federal Revenue Sharing will continue.
3. That there will be little or no increase in total valuation.
The following tax increase would result:
1 . If school expense budget remains constant but Personal
Services increases same as last Town Meeting ($681 ,000) $2.70
2. If Town expenses budget remains constant but Personal l 20
Services increases same $311 ,000
3. If $800,000 bond issue floated before 6/30/76 for 5 years .40
@ 44% (net increase in debt service $95,000)
* 4. No E & D to use to reduce tax rate - $1 .4 million used 5.50
in 1976 Town Meeting
Possible tax increase $9.80
*Hopefully this is a one time occurrence.
R. M. Perry
9/27/76
241
V . BUDGETS
•
Chairman Furash informed the Committee that the Board of
Selectmen were not prepared to meet regarding the 5% cut
in budgets. Hopefully, we will be able to meet on this
at our next meeting.
VI . SCHOOLS
a. Don White urged the Committee to ask any questions they
may have at the October 13th meeting with the new
Superintendent, John Lawson and the School Committee.
0°'"4 I have heard some very good things about this man i.e . ,
good fiscal insight,
productivity. I feel he shares our
concerns.
b. 12 mil could be pulled out of this budget if the School
Committee would be willing to reduce the body count. 82%
of budget is people.
c . Issue is to elect people to School Committee that will
demand cuts in budget. One area to zero in on would be
to reduce use of specialists.
VII . CONSERVATION
a. A memo from W. Clifford Prentiss , Conservation Services
Administrator re Care of Conservation Land was placed on
file .
b. A letter from Joel A. Lerner, Director of Environmental
Affairs, Division of Conservation Services re no funding
of Self-Help projects was placed on file.
VIII . COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
a. Howard Levingston informed the Committee that he had
resigned from the Board of Directors of Mystic Valley.
b. Mr. White stated that he felt if they had built up a
larger empire than they could handle then it was time
we stepped in.
c. Annual cost to Town is $30,000.
IX. BOARD OF HEALTH
a. A letter from George Smith, Director of Health Department
re "Swine Flu" was placed on file .
b. There will be a forthcoming transfer for $1,000-1,500 to
cover cost of program.
c. Chairman Furash has asked Town Manager Perry to get the
following information from Mr. Smith:
1. Is this program mandatory? For those who do
not have private doctors or the elderly?
2. What specific obligations does the Board of Health
have here?
3. What is doctors and nurses fee?
4. What is advertising fee?
2.42
X . TOWN REPORT
a. John Blaisdell attended a meeting with the Board of
Selectmen and the Town Report Committee at 8:15 P.M.
b. Budget: Last year cost was: $12,000 -- this year
$9,500.
c . Part I is to drop from 96 pages to 80 pages in hope
of cutting back expenses. Part II is felt cannot be
cut back.
d. Mr. Blaisdell felt that Mr. Singley had a good grasp
of the report.
f. The Board of Selectmen approved the recommended budget
of $9,500.
XI . CATV
There was a request from Bill Page to come in and meet with
the Committee re the above . Chairman Furash sent Mr. Page
a letter asking him to get back to the Committee when they
were ready (September 28, 1976) .
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 P.M.
The Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 12, 1976 at
7 :30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
hn H. Blaisdell/m.o'b
Secretary