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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-10-26-AC-MIN.pdf The Appropriations Committee held a meeting at 7:30 P .M., on Monday, October 19, 1970, in the office of the Comptroller, Estabrook Hall, Lexington. Present were Edward F. Furash, Chairman, Jack L. Mitchell, Vice Chairman, Elizabeth M. Flynn, Secretary, Arthur T. Bernier, Levi G. _. Burnell, J. H. Blaisdell, H. B. Moore, Howard L. Levingston, Richard M. Perry, Comptroller and Donald B. White. The matter of a leaf bag sale and pick-up by the Town was tabled. Areas of the budget for excising $800,000. were explored and discussed. Meeting was held at 9:25 P.M. with Town Manager O'Connell. Discussion was held as to the leaf problem. Also, discussion was held upon the ,r..� Veteran' s Agent' s request for a transfer of $10,000. to take care of in unexpected expenses. r-i RESERVE FUND BALANCE as of 7:30 P.M. $114,091. RESERVE FUND TRANSFERS : Acct. #6000-19 Park-Exp. $1,250. Center pool study Acct. #4200 Amb.-Fxp. 220. Gas and laundry Acct. #1950 Elecs .-T .C . 1,350. Election expenses Acct. #7200 Vets.-Aid 7,500. Unexpected expenses upon motions duly made and seconded, it was unanimously VOTED to approve the above requested amounts. The next meeting night is scheduled for Monday, October 26, 1970. The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth M. Flynn ' Secretary The Appropriations Committee held a meeting at 7:30 P.M., on Monday, October 26, 1970, in the office of the Comptroller, Estabrook Hall, Lexington. Present were Edward E. Furash, Chairman, Jack L . Mitchell, Vice Chairman, Elizabeth M. Flynn, Secretary, Levi G. Burnell, Richard Perry, Comptroller and Donald B. White. R . Perry stated that the new rating of Lexington by Moody was A-i. The rating was due to Moody's dim view of our future expenditures on the Junior High School and possibly the Regional Vocational High School EXECUTIVE SESSION was held at 8:45 P.M. , in the Bird Room, with Selectmen Robert Cataldo, Chairman, Irving Mabee and Allan Kenney. Also present were Town Manager O'Connell and Town Counsel Legro. Discussion was 4u Minutes of meeting held on October 26, 1970 - page 2 held as to the Appropriation Committee' s plans for cutting $800,000. from the 1971 budget . In response to Chairman Cataldo' s question as to "holding the line" on the School budget, Chairman Furash answered in the affirmative. Parody for non-certified employees of the School Department and Town Employees was discussed. Town Manager O'Connell read a report ( to be publ±shed) as to the finan- cial impact of the passage of the Firefighters request for a L.2 hour work week. Also, he pointed out the actual hours of duty and days off that would be involved. Town Counsel Legro and Town Manager O'Connell reported on unexpected expenses that will probably be forthcoming, viz: the roof at Bowman School and a Land damage Award made by Court-Jury decision. After returning to the Comptroller' s Office, upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously VOTED that Chairman Furash forward the following letter to the Lexington Minute Man: tt October 26, 1970 Editor Lexington Minute-Man Adams Building Lexington, Mass . 02173 Dear Sir: It is most unfortunate that some of our firefighters have chosen this election to ask for a reduction in their working hours . The Appropriation Committee has examined the financial impact of this request on our tax rate. If our town is to maintain an equal level of fire protection under the fire- fighter' s proposal, then more men will be needed--resulting in at least $100,000. in additional costs to the Town, or 501 on the tax rate. These costs would come at a time when we can least afford them--a time when all of us should be looking for ways to cut our spending and tax rate. Any claim that there will be no increase in costs comes at the expense of each homeowner in the form of less fire protection. Such claims assume that there will be fewer men on call, with extras available on overtime or special call. We do not feel that it serves the taxpayers well to reduce fire protection below current levels, or to cover increased costs through over- time . We have always appreciated the fine service rendered by our fire-fighters . We understand their desire for more rational hours. However, much of their current duty is in the form of night "stand by" duty, when they can relax or sleep. We be- lieve that this matter requires much more careful study than K,ry Minutes of meeting held on October 26, 1970 - page 3 available prior to a referendum, a more careful view than that afforded by a ballot campaign. We feel that there are other ways to achieve some of their objectives at a lower overall cost to the taxpayers in money and protection lost. We consequently urge all voters to vote NO on ques- tion #7 on the November 3rd ballot. Yours truly, Edward E. Furash Chairman for the Appropriation Committee" The next meeting night is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 1970, to meet with the Capital Expenditures Committee. A meeting is, also, scheduled for Monday, November 16, 1970, with the School Committee. RESERVE FUND BALANCE, October 26, 1970 $103,821. The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth M. Flynn Secretary