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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-02-01-AC-MIN.pdf APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE DATE: February 1, 1973 TIME: 7:30 P.M. PLACE: Town Office Building PRESENT: Edward E. Furash, Chairman, Jack L. Mitchell, Vice Chairman, Elizabeth M. Flynn, Secretary, Arthur T. Bernier, J. H. Blaisdell, Levi Burnell, Howard L. Levingston, Richard M. Perry, Comptroller, Donald B. White LfJ Board of Selectmen: A. Kenney, N. Riffin, F. Bailey, A. Busa, S. Brown, Town Manager O'Connell I . BUDGETS It was stated by Chairman Furash that as things stand at present, a $75.00 tax rate is inevitable and highly un- acceptable. Selectmen Kenney stated that he too was very concerned about the increase and would welcome any suggestions from the Appropriation Committee . Quoting the Chairman: "how lean can general town government run?" This is the key factor, "we would like to bring the tax rate as far below $70.00 as possible" the Chairman said. He went on to say that if the tax hike goes through it is highly possible that a "Town Referendum" will be in order. The following are a list of accounts which are in question and were discussed in detail: Account #1700 - Group Insurance This is due to strong pressure from the School Committee, also an increase in BC/BS costs. It was felt that the schools should grant more coverage. Chairman Furash felt that this was a $17,000 discretionary item. "I understand the explanation, but cannot defend it" stated the Chairman. "Before we can go along with this, we will have to have a more definite reason for the expenditure" the Chairman said. Town Manager 0"Connell stated that Lexington was doing what most other communities have already done and that this is merely "catching up with the minimum that the law requires" . "We are not adding any new benefits other than those that are provided by law" Town Manager O'Connell said, On questioning by the Chairman, it was discerned that the law did not re uire that level of insurance coverage, but rather allowed or authorized it. The Chairman again noted that this was a discretionary decision by the Selectmen. r -J 84 Account #1750 - Workmen's Comp. There is no insurance covering Selectmen at present time . There have been several instances where a Selectmen has been sued for something said, therefore, they feel that this type -- of liability insurance is a necessity. To be discussed further. The following accounts were labeled at Non-Controllable expenses; Account #1700 Account #1750 Account #5600 Account #5800 Account #7800 Account #7825 Account #8100 Account #8200 Account #8500 Account #8525 Account #8550 12 months - 1972 -- $ 948,414 $ 115,000 - removed for snow 12 months - 1973 -- $1,102,555 Chairman Furash stated that he would like to use 1972 as a base figure and asked the Selectmen if they felt we could keep within the 3% increase range and what they felt was an acceptable increase . It was felt that the following should be omitted from calculations Office Machinery Sanitary Landfill Snow Removal Highway Maintenance The Board of Selectmen agreed that they would again review the budgets to see if $30,000 to $45,000 could be eliminated. II . WARRANT .ARTICLES The following Articles were discussed very briefly: #17 - Drains Laconia Street -- Due to wet cellars and Middle Street winter ice problem #18 - Water Mains Highland Washington Eliott Road 485 #19 - Sidewalks Clarke Jr. High #21-,#`22 - Sewers Turning Mill $830,000 Wyman Road Methods of financing should be explored here, if possible, the Chairman suggested. x#24 - DPW Equipment $85,000 - Replacement $15,000 - New $10,000 - Snow #28 - Sanitary Landfill Study necessary in order to stay one step ahead of State quoted Town Manager O'Connell. #29 - Brooks John McSweeney has reported that the brooks are in a deplorable condition. The Selectmen are to get a breakdown of the names of the Brooks in mind for action in 1973. #31 - Street Construction Could this wait another year? #37 - Dog Kennel Present kennel is way below the required standards - Board of Health could intervene - site not definite as yet. Town Manager O'Connell stated that it would cost approximately $2,000 to re-vamp present kennel. #42 - Bi-Centennial Chairman Furash still feels that the Bi-centennial Committee plans are inadequate and disorganized. The question remains "what do the people in this Town really want in the way of a celebration -- maybe just a day of prayer" . 1 p 6- 143 - Buckman Tavern The Chairman asked if anyone had thought of approaching a Foundation to fund the renovation of Buckman Tavern. There are some charitable foundations that might want to do this. "I do not feel that we should pay for this in entirety" the Chairman said. Selectmen Kenney asked that Town Manager O'Connell check this possibility out. #43 - "Old Res" This would include : a) expansion of beach b) permanent fencing c) bath house #46 - Lincoln Street - Recreation Area a) fill b) leveling c) grass seed - loam #49 - Voting Machines Chairman Furash feels that this could be put off for another year as present machines must be used for upcoming election in March 1973 and there will not be another election until 1974. Town Manager O'Connell does not agree with this theory - as we are presently paying $300.00 plus for rental on present machines. This matter is to be discussed in more detail at a later date . #52 - Mystic Valley Increase in utility $500 - $1,000 #54 - Community Development Studies Up-dating comprehensive plans. #55 to #60 - Conservation It was felt by the Chairman that the Board of Selectmen should deal with the amount of planning of the Conservation Commission. N. Riffin pointed out that this actually was the responsibility of the Planning Board. Chairman Furash stated that he sees a severe Communications problem here and would like this matter discussed in depth at a future time. Meeting was adjourned at 10:20 P.M. There will be a meeting on Monday, February 5, 1973 and Thursday, February 8, 1973 at 7:30 P.M. RQfpectfully s bmited F�'izbeth M. Flyn /m •b Secretary