HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966-11-07-AC-MIN.pdf A
Meeting of Appropriation Committee, irlon. Nov. 7, 1966, 7:45 p.m.
Present: Frank Parrish, Chairman; J. Blaisdell; R. Gary; D. Grant;
A. Kenney; G. Kolovson; R. Perry, Comptroller; L. Zehner;
R. Souza.
Reserve Fund Requests
; 10,330.73 requdsted for interest due on tax anticipation notes bec,.uc e
of higher interest rates and need for early borrowing. Voted to tr...aser
310,330.73 from Reserve Bund.
Public Facilities Building,: expenses — Selectmen request $750 for the
re:.:ainde: of this year. Discussion with John Carroll on these expenses:
electric bill (not yet received) is estimated by Edison to be $400,
telephone bill for phone in upstairs room (unanticipated but ordered by
,—� Selectmen) is 003, signs cost $185, minor increases in various expenses
account for the remainder. Committee recommended that upstai_s phone
be removed from this unfurnished room at least until the room is
furnished and the phone used. Voted to transfer $750 from Reserve Fd.
Veterans Benefits, Aid and Expenses, Account #1200, discussed with Bernard
Belcastro, Veterans Agent.
1964 Expenditure $9,506.79
1965 appropriation $10,000 (probably all expended)
1966 appropriation, $10,0:0 + $8,000 irom Reserve Fund, $15,092.46 expended
by Oct. 31st.
Mr. Belcastro informed the committee that these are the total expenditures
for Veterans' Aid, no additional sums are received directly by him.
After an expenditure is made, the State reimburses the Town 50%. This
goes to the Town, not to him, and is included in Estimated Receipts.
The reimbursement is rather slow; we are now collecting on 1965 expenditures.
Aid & Expenses are given according to Chapter 115 and amendments.
Expenditures are checked by the state.
Veterans who'have problems or need help'are eligible, also veterans'
wives, children and parents.
Residency requirement : 3 years in the state, a resident of the town
(no time specified — it used to be 5 years in the town).
Veterans since 1955 will be eligible after Dec. 8, 1966.
Increase is due to advertisement in paper, greater awareness that aid
is available, and reduced residency requirement.
Ordinary Benefits — regular living expenses, fuel, medical, hospital,
doctors' bills, miscellaneous (rest homes, etc. )
1965 — 23 cases, 1966 to date — 38 cases
Many cases require temporary aid due to unemployment, medical bills etc.
rather than long—term aid due to old age and permanent disability.
Recent large hospital bills were incurred because claims were made after
veteran entered hospital; had the claim been made before, the veteran
could have been cent to VA hospital at ho expense to him or Town.
Hospital charges in these cases are at a reduces: rate, probably close
to or at that which Town pays for Welfare cases, Mr. Belcastro thought.
Budget for 1967 will probably be about $20,000.
Veterans Services — Personal Seriices cud Administration budgets.
They will request a desk in 1967.
Secretary from Secretarial Pool is now working 4 hours every morning
for this department.
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Town Report
Lou Zehner stated that space has been reserved in Part A of the new Town
Report for the Appropriation Committee in cane it wishes to use it. Two
pages are now reserved; more could be made available. Iie suggested that
the Committee make use of this opportunity to make a general statement of
philosophy. John Ulaisdell stayed that the Committee is required to write
a report, including recommendations on the Articles in the warrant, and to
send it to eacn household. Writing several pages in the Town deport could
neither replace nor ae part of our usual report. Therefore he urged that
we not put any statement in Part A. Lou ;Lehner read a draft of a steltement
which might be included, giving a comparison between Lexington ana ot.:er
towns with respect to population density, population growth rate, and
ability to pay. It was suggested that general information about the
Appropriation Committee might be put in Part A and Lou's material saved for
our Annual Report.
Decide next week — whether to submit anything, and, if we use Part A, which
of these suggestions to follow.
Closing Accounts
Don Grant has talked with Bob Hargrove about School Construction Articles.
1958 — Diamond Jr. H.S. Article can be closed out — $15,228.98
1960 — Estabro0k Elem School can be closed out — $9,033,53 •
High School Articles (1962, Art. 41 and 1963 Art 2) must be held open
for a time, but at least one of them can probably be closed within a month.
Next meeting — Novemner 21
Respectfully su;amitted,
ilutn F. .Jouza, secretary
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