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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-08-15-AC-MIN.pdf 289' 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. 290 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. — 291 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