HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-09-19-AC-MIN.pdf 292
APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE
DATE: September 19, 1977
TIME: 7:30 P.M.
PLACE: Town Office Bldg. - Room 111
PRESENT: Donald B. White , Chairman, J. H. Blaisdell, Secretary,
J. Campbell, William Dailey, Peter Hall, Martin Gilman,
George Silverman, Richard M. Perry, Comptroller,
Ex-Officio
Chairman White called the meeting to order at 7 :40 P.M.
The minutes of August 15, 1977 were read by Committee members,
accepted and placed on record.
I . SECRETARY
Chairman White informed the Committee that he had had a
discussion with the Town Manager re Richard Perry serving
as secretary of the Appropriation Committee and that this
was acceptable to him.
Mr. Silverman nominated Richard M. Perry
as Secretary of the Appropriation Committee .
John Campbell and Peter Hall seconded the
nomination. - —
SO VOTED
II . GENERAL DISCUSSION
1. As of this date a joint meeting with the Town Manager
and the School Committee has been set-up for October 3,
1977.
2. Mr. White informed the Committee re a communication from
Margery Battin, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, re
"Initiative Petition Drive" for local acceptance of
arbitration awards to municipal police and fire . Mr.
Jim Wood has been appointed local coordinator. It is
hoped to collect 150 signatures per precinct. Chairman
White stated that the Appropriation Committee will have
to support this.
3. The Chairman briefly discussed with the Committee a letter
sent to Mrs. Swanson from Mrs. Battin re the question of
whether a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the
method of financing public education in Massachusetts
would provide a means for getting action from the
legislature to solve the problem. Lexington's share
for such a suit would be $1296. Selectman Kent has been --
designated to work with members of the School Committee on
this.
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4. A memorandum from Mrs. Miley re Middlesex County
Budget was discussed with the Committee. Chairman
White suggested that this be brought up at the joint
meeting on October 3, 1977.
III . ASSIGNMENTS
The following points were discussed with Committee members
re their assignments for 1977-78 :
1. Schools - John Campbell - Edward Furash
a. How sincere is the School Committee re zero base
budget?
b. At what level do we stand re vandalism?
, , c. How do they plan to decrease headcount in the
School Department?
d. Mr. Hall seriously questioned the attendance of
adults in the system.
e. Mr. Silverman stated he would like to see where
the School Committee plans to go re the size of
the administration.
f. Pupil-teacher ratio must be watched very carefully.
g. The area of securing larger school administration
space must be looked into - i.e. , closing of Munroe
School.
Minuteman-Regional Vocational High School
a. Just beginning budget process.
b. The subject of setting up a separate corporation
for the purpose of generating more funds was
briefly discussed.
c. Chairman White stated that Lexington was not
supporting the School as was originally planned.
2. Personnel - John Blaisdell
Mr. Blaisdell is to get in touch with the Personnel
Advisory Board. He *ill then so advise the Committee
as to what their plans are.
3. Fire - Peter Hall
a. Firemen have not settled yet. This will undoubtedly
go into a special Town Meeting. Town Manager is not
sure at this time if there is enough money available
and will let us know the status re this matter.
b. Everything is in "fact-finding" at this time.
c. Inspection Program - what is present status?
Police - Peter Hall
a. What are they using for cars?
b. Have they adopted a conservation plan re gasoline?
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4. Recreation - Martin Gilman
Mr. Gilman stated he had met with the Committee. They
have not yet put any figures together and will keep
the Committee informed.
5. DPW - William Dailey
Copies of reports from John Campbell and John McSweeney
were given to Mr. Dailey for background purposes.
6. Conservation - George Silverman
Mr. Silverman will get in touch with the Commission.
Letter sent on September 20, 1977 to Mr. Williams,
Chairman of the Commission informing him that
Mr. Silverman was so designated as representative
from the Appropriation Committee.
Planning Board - George Silverman
a. No dollars involved here .
b. Letter sent to Mr. Zabin, Chairman of the Planning
Board informing him that Mr. Silverman was designated
as representative from the Appropriation Committee.
Note : Letters were sent on September 20, 1977 to all
Boards, Police and Fire, informing them of the
representatives from the Appropriation Committee.
IV. BUDGET `—
•
1. Mr. Blaisdell stated that he personally was not pleased
with the combined meetings held last year with the Board
of Selectmen and various Boards.
2. Mr. Blaisdell feels that the Appropriation Committee must
take a position now and so communicate it to the Town
Manager.
3. A 5% increase was discussed and there were some Committee
members who felt it was not wise to set a certain figure.
(John Campbell-John Blaisdell-Peter Hall)
4. Chairman White stated that the meeting of October 3rd
maybe the time to discuss this and felt that perhaps a
zero increase in the School budget and not more than 5%
increase in General Town Government should be discussed.
5. Sewers - another year should complete sewer program, however,
the most expensive ones are left. Mr. Campbell stated he
felt this will be a big issue.
29.5
6. Chairman White is to work with Mr. Perry on budget
figures.
7. Mr. Perry stated that he felt it time to re-evaluate
revenues. "I think it is the time to look into the
possibility of bringing in additional revenue, i.e. ,
Library fines; use and present fees of ambulance service.
Meeting adjourned at 9:45 P.M.
Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 26, 1977 at
7 :30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
�L ✓
Richard M. Perry/01b
Secretary