HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-03-12-AC-MIN.pdf 274
APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE
DATE: March 12, 1977
TIME: 9:00 A.M.
PLACE: Town Office Building - Room G-15
PRESENT: Edward E. Furash, Chairman, John Blaisdell, Secretary,
Donald White, Vice Chairman, John Campbell, Mitzi Kutchin,
Martin Gilman, Howard Levingston, Richard M. Perry, Comptroller,
Ex-Officio
I . TAX RATE
$12.40 increase is predicted as of this date.
II . MINUTEMAN REGIONAL VOCATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL
A. Three towns have reluctantly approved the budget.
B. Vice Chairman White made the suggestion to invite someone
from Minuteman to Town Meeting to present their budget and
leave it up to Town Meeting to decide whether or not to send
it back.
C. Chairman Furash stated that he would like to have the
Minuteman Regional Voc. people invited to the TMMA meeting
on March 17, 1977 and also most definitely that they be
asked to come to Town Meeting.
III . ARTICLES
A. Grey Nuns - John Blaisdell made the following motion:
I move that we have unfavorable action on
Article 41 - "Grey Nuns".
5 in favor - 2 abstain
B. Article 42 - Grove Street - 2 in favor - 5 abstain
C. 43 - favorable action
D. " 44 -
E. 45 - unfavorable action
F. 47 - motion was made to amend the Appropriation
Committee report from $500.00 to $5,000.
G. 32 - unfavorable action - Insufficient information
H. 71-73 - Housing Authority
favorable action - no funds requested
IV. BC/BS
A. $685,000 vs $673,000.
B. Does not include the amount if retirees are voted
($24,000 additional)
275.
V. TOWN COUNSEL
Re: Special Needs Child
Town Counsel Norman Cohen appeared before the Appropriation
Committee to discuss a request that a $16,000 reimbursement
for a special needs child be considered an unpaid bill.
Town Counsel stated that the matter was currently in
litigation and that the Committee would have to decide
whether it could recommend to the town meeting, payment
as an unpaid bill or whether it would recommend that no
payment be made until the litigation was concluded. Although
--� Town Counsel stated that neither the name of the child
involved nor the name of the family's lawyer could be
revealed, he did explain that the child had a core
evaluation prior to Chapter 766. The parents were not
at all satisfied with the school system, and removed the
child to a residential school. The issue in court is
whether the town is responsible for paying the 1974-75
and 1975-76 tuition for this private school. A final decision
has not been reached in the court case.
Chairman Furash stated on behalf of the Committee that it
was a litigation matter and should be handled in the usual
manner. Before the Appropriation Committee would consider
varying the routine as requested it would have to be
recommended by the School Committee.
Town Counsel stated that he would advise the School Committee
to make a decision. They have all of the facts. If they
wish to consider the request as an unpaid bill, the School
Committee will be asked to contact the Appropriation
Committee directly.
VI . LIBRARY
Howard Levingston stated he felt it imperative that some
steps be taken within the Library to combat the theft problem
i.e. , inspection of bags, shelves to leave parcels on , etc.
276
VII . SANITARY LANDFILL
a. Town Manager Hutchinson distributed a memo re the
above subject. (on file)
b. Present cost: $6.00 a ton - I do not think this is a
well run operation stated the Town Manager.
c. Curbside Collection - 1 year (voluntary) - $45,000.
d. Town Manager stated that a Town the size of Lexington
can support it's own transfer station.
e. Donald White stated that he felt at a time such as this,
we should spend the least amount of money necessary«
f. Martin Gilman moves favorable action for Curbside pickup.
4 in favor
3 opposed
VIII . SEWERS
a. Article 19 - Bennington Road - $105,000 - half of houses
need sewers.
b. Amherst Street - 3 houses need sewers.
c. Chairman Furash stated that any more developments should
be done only with sewers.
d. Articles 19 and 20 should be tabled or reconsidered until
a poll of neighbors is done to see how serious they feel
about it.
Meeting adjourned to EXECUTIVE SESSION to discuss Personnel matters
at 10:45 A.M.
Meeting adjourned at 11:50 A.M.
Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 14, 1977.
Respectfully submitted,
ST'ohn Blaisdell/mo'b
Secretary