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The Appropriations Committee held a meeting at 7:30 P.M., on Monday,
November 30, 1970, in the office of the Comptroller, Estabrook Hall,
Lexington. Present were Edward E. Furash, Chairman, Jack L. Mitchell,
V.-Chairman, Elizabeth M. Flynn, Secretary, Arthur T. Bernier, J. H.
Blaisdell, Levi G. Burnell, Howard L. Levingston, Richard M. Perry, --
Comptroller, H. Bigelow Moore and Donald B. White.
Meeting was held at 7:30 P.N. with members of the Library Department.
Present were Robert Hilton, Director of the Library, Elizabeth Clarke,
Chairman of the Library Trustees, Irving Mabee, a Trustee, and Shirley
Stolz, Chairman of the Library Advisory Committee.
Mr. Hilton explained, with graphs, the marked increase in film bank
usage, Reader' s Reserves, Interlibrary Loans, Copying Service and Circula-
tion, which is now to a figure of 465,000. Mr. Hilton stated that in
years of financial austerity the volume of library circulation increases .
In answer to a question from Chairman Furash with respect to the status
of classification, Mr. Hilton replied that the adult sections were almost
completed.
With respect to the Library addition, it was stated that it was felt
that this was not the year for it, but, that preliminary plans with the
architect would be continued and that within 30 days a dollar estimate
of the project would be available . A possible 835,000. on the 1971 tax
rate may be expected.
With respect to the 1971 Library budget requests, Mr. Hilton stated
that about $6,000. in new requests would be made . This would include:
51,000. for 8mm. films for the film bank, 4 extra pages for the week-
ends, a full time reference employee and a clerical -employee.
The Library representatives retired from the meeting at 8:30 P.M.
Chairman Furash read a letter from the Conservation Commission. It was
felt that the "tighten the belt" message had not been considered.
Discussion was held on the Utica Street (Steeves property) problem.
Is the value of the land, as originally voted by Town Meeting, now de-
creased after the removal of gravel and greenery?
Meeting was held in EXECUTIVE SESSION, at 9::00 P.M. , with members of the
Planning Board. Present were Erik Lund, Chairman, Lois Brown, Eric
Clarke and Donald Graham and Alexander Zaleski, Planning Director.
Chairman Furash explained the Appropriations philosophy of austerity for
1971. With respect to a one year moratorium on various projects, mem-
bers of the Planning Board expressed concern that a one year rest in
spending was too simplistic, that expenses might be doubled next year,
that a long range cut back gradually might ultimately be more finan-
cially prudent.
The Planning Board retired from the meeting at 10:05 P.M.
3 A.
Minutes of meeting held on November 30, 1970 - page 2
RESERVE FUND TRANSFERS:
Article 10 - 1970 $1,993 . Fire Dept . pensions
Article 10 - 1970 528. Police Dept . pensions
Upon motions duly made and seconded, it was unanimously VOTED to
approve the requested amounts .
The next meeting night is scheduled for December 7, 1970, at 7:30 P.M.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth M. Flynn
Secretary
The Appropriations Committee held a meeting at 7:30 P.M. , on Monday,
December 7, 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, J. H. Blaisdell, Levi G.
Burnell, Howard L. Levingston, Richard M. Perry, Comptroller and
Donald B. White.
Member Blaisdell reported on the Precinct 2 meeting. At the meeting
discussion mainly was concerned with the Trinity Covenant proposal,
the extension of Worthen Road and General Government and School salary
schedules. Town Manager O'Connell, also, explained the financial im-
pact of the voting of a 42 hour work week for firefighters. A general
non-concern and apathy towards the 1971 tax rate was evidenced by the
lack of questions in the areas . The proposed Junior High School was
only mentioned with respect to a question as to the Appropriation' s
stand on the matter. J. Blaisdell responded, at the Precinct meeting,
that with the lack of plans and financial picture not available, the
Committee could not, at this time, form an opinion or a recommendation.
Town Manager Walter O'Connell joined the meeting at 8:00 P.M.
The following matters were discussed:
1. ) Reserve Fund transfers - see vote below
2. ) Junior High School - the Town Manager feels that possibly
$4.00,000. to VD00,000. could be expected to be added to
the amount projected by the PBC (P$4.,700,000.) at the time
the project went out for bids. He feels that the contingency
estimate is too low. That under 1O9 contingency is a risk.
$110,000. is the contingency projected by PBC .
3 . ) 4.2 hour work week for firefighters - 04,000. will be needed
from Town Meeting to cover February and March. Two 12 hour
work periods will not economically accomplish anything. A
10 hour day shift and a 14 hour night shift would be better.