HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-02-08-AC-MIN.pdf 487 .
APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE
DATE: February 8 , 1973
TIME : 7 : 30 P.M.
PLACE: Town Office Building, Room 111
PRESENT: Edward E. Furash, Chairman, Jack L. Mitchell,
Vice Chairman, Arthur T. Bernier, J. H. Blaisdell,
Levi Burnell , H. Bigelow Moore , Richard M. Perry,
11� Comptroller, Donald B. White
I . DISCUSSION
Library Account ##7500
Mr. Moore reported on the meeting he had with Mr. Robert Hilton
of the Library. Total estimated budget was $408 ,807. This in-
cluded: the purchase of. 10,000 new books , all staff members to
get a raise -- however, there are to be no new people here . The
Chairman felt that this budget is high and suggested -- with the
approval of the Committee -- that Mr. Moore have another meeting
with Mr. Hilton to see if the budget can be cut to not more than
a 3% increase .
II . PERSONAL SERVICE BUDGETS
Town Manager O 'Connell joined the meeting at the Chairman's re-
quest to discuss the following:
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a. Fire - 4 additional people were requested by the
Chief to provide more coverage during vacation and
sick time . This was agreed to by the Board of
Selectmen, however, it is not agreeable by
Appropriation Committee .
b. Planning Board - Request for a Jr. Planner. It is
felt by the Board that this is essential in order to
carry out Town Business as it should be done . Town
Manager does not agree with this request and feels
that a Northeastern Co-op would be the answer to the
help situation here .
c . Conservation - Work load has ihcreased here -
evaluation of Hatch Act applications. Town Manager
has recommended that this request be put into personal
services account.
d. Health Department - Town Manager feels that this
situation could be resolved by having a Health Agent -
perhaps a secretary make restaurant inspections.
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e. Board of Appeals - Have requested a full time
clerk here as the paper work has been greatly
increased due to the increase in cases, ie ,
1970 - 85
1971 - 90
1972 - 120
The present help here is also doing some clerical
work for the Historical Society.
f. DPW - John McSweeney has requested eleven new people
on a full time basis. The Board of Selectmen, after
extensive review, have finally agreed to recommend
four out of the eleven. Town Manager O'Connell stated
that if the LWV proposal for recycling is approved,
a "Control Center" will be necessary at the dump.
Chairman Furash asked Don White to contact the LWV
and have them send the Committee a memorandum identify-
ing exactly what they have in mind, costs, etc. , and
if possible they should meet with the Committee to
explain their position. If this is not done, the
Chairman intends to make "an unfavorable action"
in his report.
John McSweeney has mentioned to the Town Manager that
recently the sewer maintenance work has been suffer-
ing, thus his request for two additional men on the
highway. He would like to set-up an organized "Sewer
Maintenance" program. It is the problems connected
here that has convinced the Board of Selectmen to
add some additional help stated the Town Manager.
g. Police - Five new police officers have been recommended
here. There has been no increase in staff since 1971
and that was two. The Town Manager stated from a
report submitted by Chief Corr that the average town
of 33,000 has 62 men and Lexington at present has 50.
My recommendation said the Town Manager is that two
men be added, as 1975 will be a critical year. Two
men have also been recommended by the Selectmen.
Chairman Furash asked the Town Manager to get from the
Board of Selectmen a complete run-down as to how these
men are going to be used. "I do not see that we need
these two additional people" the Chairman stated. This
was agreeable with the Town Manager.
h. Assistant Town Manager Position
How would this job function:
1. Administrative Services Position
Dave Hughes would be the candidate here .
(Liason between various committees and
commissions; handling of functional work, i .e. ,
Bi-centennial) He would supervise clerical help -
in general he would relieve Town Manager of many
tasks.
2. Personnel Director
There is presently no personnel department
in the Town. As a result, when a person
securing a position comes to the Town Office ,
he is automatically referred to the Town
Manager (except for laborer) . This involves
a lot of extra time for the Town Manager and
prevents him from doing other duties of
greater importance .
Chairman Furash informed the Town Manager that he
would like to discuss these personal services
budgets with the Board of Selectmen on Monday,
February 12, 1973.
Upon motions duly made and seconded, EXECUTIVE SESSION was VOTED
at 10:15 P.M.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 12, 1973 at
7:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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/2 / B
Elizb.beth M. Flynn mo'b
Secretary