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APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE
DATE: August 15, 1977
TIME: 7:30 P.M.
PLACE: Town Office Building - 'Room 111
PRESENT: Edward E. Furash, Chairman, John Blaisdell, Secretary,
�..+ Donald B. White , Vice Chairman-Schools, Peter Hall,
John Campbell, Martin Gilman, William Dailey,
re. George Silverman, Mitzi Kutchin, Richard Perry, Comptroller,
Ex-Officio
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Furash at 7 :40 P.M.
I . RE-ORGANIZATION OF APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE
1. John Campbell made a motion which was seconded by
Peter Hall that Donald B. White be elected Chairman
of the Appropriation Committee.
Mr. White was unanimously elected Chairman.
2. Mitzi Kutchin made a motion which was seconded by
Edward E. Furash that John Campbell be elected
Vice Chairman of the Appropriation Committee.
Mr. Campbell thanked the members of the Committee ,
however due to present business demands, he felt
he really could not do the job justice. "I anticipate
this situation to ease up in about three months, "
Mr. Campbell stated.
John Blaisdell made a motion to postpone the election
of a Vice Chairman.
3. It was suggested by Secretary Blaisdell that Richard
M. Perry be elected Secretary of the Committee . "I
feel this is the most beneficial setup because Mr. Perry
is at the Town Offices and is a common contact, " said
Mr. Blaisdell.
4. Mr. Perry suggested that Chairman White call Town
Manager Hutchinson and discuss this with him. Mr. White
to follow-up.
Mr. Blaisdell will serve until another Secretary is
appointed.
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II . ASSIGNMENTS - 1977-78
John Blaisdell Personnel
General Gov't.
John Campbell Schools
William Dailey DPW
Edward Furash Schools
Martin Gilman . ,Mystic Valley
Recreation
Peter Hall Fire
Police
Mitzi Kutchin Library
Sanitary Landfill
George Silverman Planning Board
Conservation
III . SCHOOLS
Chairman White stated he was very pleased with the School
Committee Article which appeared in the Minuteman (on file )
re "zero base budget" . I would like to keep them on the
track they are on - "A zero base budget is possible to
construct although it may not be possible to live with" ,
Chairman White stated. It must be noted that the school
budget has been going up at a rate of $1 million a year and
the school enrollment has been going down by 500 students
per year.
Mr. Furash made a motion to authorize the Chairman
to communicate re the above to the School
Committee.
SO VOTED
IV. GENERAL DISCUSSION
1. A letter from Mr. Owen Clarke , Director of Accounts for
the Commonwealth stated that the amount of "free cash"
as of July 1, 1977 is $65,239. (on file)
2. A vote of "thanks" to former Chairman Furash for the
"great job" he did while Chairman was extended from
all members of the Committee.
3. As of this date , Mr. Perry informed the Committee that
the tax rate was set at $88.40.
4. Mr. Perry stated that Mr. Cook, Personnel Director, would
be employed by the Town until the end of August 1977. —
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5. It was suggested by the Chairman that the minutes of
every meeting be presented in duplicate to the Committee
the following meeting night for any comments or changes
that might be made. Mr. Furash stated he felt that the
Chairman should read the minutes first.
6. Agenda - Chairman White stated he would try to have an
agenda ready each meeting night if at all possible. Due
to pressing schedules this may not always work out.
7. Mr. Blaisdell suggested that at some future time it
might be a good idea to have our state reps in for a
discussion period to express to them some of our concerns,
"We are no longer a small town, Mr. Blaisdell stated. "
8. Long range financing was discussed briefly by the Committee.
Mr. Furash stated that he felt a three year projection
was better than a five year.
9. Chairman White stated he would like Town Manager Hutchinson
present at the next meeting of the Committee.
10. Mr. Furash made a motion expressing the Committee's
appreciation to Mrs. Hagedorn for her fine contributions
to the Town. Chairman White to express the Committee 's
thanks.
11. Association of Town Finance Committees - Mr. Perry informed
the Committee that the membership fee has been increased
to $150.00 per year. ($105.00 last year. )
Upon motions duly made and seconded,
it was VOTED to accept the above
bill.
Chairman White to respond to the Association re the
increase.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 19, 1977 at 7:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
4/ ,G -c,,i e'
John H. Blaisdell/mo'b
Secretary