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
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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.
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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" .
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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