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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-11-28-AC-MIN.pdf 312 APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE DATE: November 28, 1977 TIME: 7:30 P.M. PLACE: Estabrook Hall PRESENT: Donald B. White, Chairman, Richard M. Perry, Secretary, John Campbell, Martin Gilman, George Silverman I . MEETING WITH STATE LEGISLATORS Present: Board of Selectmen Town Treasurer Louis Zehner Town Manager Hutchinson Town Counsel Cohen Alfred Vigderman - Attorney Senators Amick and Rotundi State Reps. Cole, Dickson Points covered were as follows: 1. Property tax reform, Chapter 766 , Court Reform and Solid Waste disposal were the list of concerns voiced to the Legislators. 2. Town Manager Hutchinson reviewed via a graph the following financial situation for Lexington: `- 11.4 million - general government 16.3 - education 1.5 - is assessed the town by the state 1 - is levied in county assessments 7 - is for county and state charges 3. 4 million received back from the cherry sheet - 23 million must come from property tax - remainder from local receipts and general revenue sharing. 4. In excess of 90% of budget is being funded by local property tax. 5. Chairman White asked "what are the implications of Chapter 766?" Representative Cole stated that Chapter 766 was a good idea and no one envisioned the extent to which it would go. Senator Rotundi stated that the scope of the program should have been set a long time ago. The Federal Government is commited to Massachusetts for $64 million by 1980 Senator Rotundi stated. 6. Selectman Busa mentioned the report "Children's Puzzle" which was done by the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. It was pointed out by Sen. Amick that a .hearing was set for Tuesday by a legislative Committee appointed to look into it. They are working toward its implementation. 7. Mr. Vigderman stated that there has been concern over the relationship between Chapter 766 and Chapter 70. There is presently a study being done to separate the two. Mr. Vigderman went on to say that Chapter 766 would continue to cost the tax- payers a lot of money. 313 8. Jack Campbell asked the Legislators how they could help re the closing of the landfill. Town Manager Hutchinson spoke of the closure plan which the state insisted on by January 1, 1978. Rep. Cole said he has been working on this with state officials. Sen. Amick also said she had been working with state agencies re a delay in closing. 9. Binding Arbitration - better than the previous law but far from perfect. 10. State Funding of municipal retirement liability - Mr. Cole recommends funding as you go rather than ..,; making it mandatory by a certain date. The State is looking for $49 million. Mr. Perry asked if the cherry sheets could be released on time - 1st of March: 11. Court Reform - it is hoped that the court system will improve with state take-over. 12. Chairman White asked if it was possible to live within a fixed state budget? Unrealistic was the answer: It is appealing but impractical said Senator Rotundi. . .I would rather see a better approach to the budget. Selectman Bailey stated that the situation in Massachusetts is a "mess" and it is very difficult to get professionals to come into the state. II . CAPITAL BUDGETS A review of capital budgets was made by the Appropriation Committee. III . LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS Chairman White informed the Committee of a communication from the League of Women Voters re a course being given entitled "Financing Local Government" - cost: $15.00. Meeting adjourned at 10:15 P.M. Next meeting is scheduled for 7:30 P.M. on December 5, 1977 in Cary Hall prior to the opening session of the Special Town Meeting. Respectfully submitted, / ,, 1,) f2-7 'Richard M. Perry/mo'b , Secretary