HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-02-12-AC-MIN.pdf 490
APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE
DATE: February 12, 1973
TIME: 7:30 P.M.
PLACE: Town Office Building, Room 111
PRESENT: Edward E. Furash, Chairman, Jack L. Mitchell, Vice
Chairman, Elizabeth M. Flynn, Secretary, Arthur T.
Bernier, J. H. Blaisdell, Levi Burnell, Richard M.
Perry, Comptroller, Donald B. White
OBSERVER: Mrs. Feakes - League of Women Voters
Miss Cheryl Waixel - Lexington Minute-Man
I . DISCUSSION
A. It was the intention of the Committee to discuss with
Lincoln P. Cole, Jr. , the progress of any present Bills
before the Legislature. It was Mr. Cole 's opinion that
the Bill receiving the most favorable action and most
likely to be passed with approval was the Bartley Bill.
This will move the cherry sheet up to March 1 and provide
two tax bills during the 18 month period and a change date
of assessment. The Robinson Bill which would allow the
school teachers to be paid in July and August rather than
in June was briefly discussed with Mr. Cole. He was not
sure what the present status of the Bill was but assured
the Chairman that he would keep the Committee informed of
the progress of the above two Bills.
B. ARTICLES 87 & 88 - SANITARY LANDFILL
Mrs. Joyce Hals, representative from the League of Women
Voters joined the meeting to bring the Committee up-to-
date on their plans for a recycling center at the dump.
It is their feeling that much too much is being discarded
that should be recycled - among these mentioned were :
cardboard, newspapers, glass (brown, white , green) , tires,
appliances, brush-woods These things will be deposited in
a special area set up as a center.
It is estimated that the cost of operating the dump in
1973 will be $105,000, as compared to $91,000 in 1972.
The daily cost of fill is approximately $150.00 per day.
By setting up this recycling center, Mrs. Hals stated that
this figure could be cut in half.
X9
SANITARY LANDFILL (Continued)
The equipment needed for this project would be :
Containers for clear glass, green glass and
brown glass.
Containers for cans, aluminum foil , newspapers
and magazines.
Cardboard Compacter
Total purchase of this equipment: $16,300
irZ
Rental: $ 554 monthly
$ 6,648 annually
(If rented on a 3 year basis, it becomes property
of town after 3 years at present all towns are
on a rental basis)
In order to operate the cardboard compacter electricity has to
be brought into the dump.
Underground: $4,500.00
Over-Head System: $8,000.00
Concrete Pad for
Compacter $ 400.00
Preparation of
site materials $5,516.00
Operating Cost:
Two full time people necessary
Trucking charge - $10.00 a ton
(recycling of glass can cover this ) .
In conclusion, Chairman Furash asked Mrs. Hals to submit to the
Committee prior to Town Meeting the following:
1. Exactly how much money will it cost?
2. Whether or not line budget has to be
changed regarding the two people?
3. Personnel in this Article should not
be put in "personal service" - it should
be an entire package.
4. What would the bulk saving be?
.
C . BONDING
Mr. Louis Zehner, Treasurer joined the meeting to give his
report regarding bonding.
"My first reaction to financing sewers over a five year
basis seemed hard to take" Mr. Zehner stated. However, I
think the real question at issue is how long should this
financing take? 3 years would be too severe a burden, 10
years would give much too much latitude , 5 years would be
my recommendation. The Chairman stated that we might only
fund partly, not in whole . This has yet to be explored. We
must decide whether we would be better off on a short term
borrowing or is it best done on a five year basis the Chairman
said.
Mr. Bernier stated that he was not at all convinced on the
practicality of a 5 year term for the average citizen. I
feel that there are many people who will not be able to with-
stand the burden of this increase and I think we should think
of this side of it.
GRS FUNDS were discussed briefly only to say that the $800, 000
was a nice cushion and without it the tax rate would be up
another $4.00.
D . CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Messrs. Kingston and Whitman joined the meeting to discuss
their projected budget for the 18 month period:
Sewers $905,000
$975,000*
Water $ 30,000
$ 25,000*
Streets $225,000
Curbs, drains $260,000*
Traffic controls
Sidewalks $110,000
35,000*
Equipment $110,000
Fire $ 80,000
Conservation $200, 000
Land $172, 000 (Requested by Commission)
Recreation $ 75,000
Center Devel. $100, 000
Meriam St. $ 50,000 (Received no info
Belfry Hill on these projects)
Edison St.
Buckman Tavern $100, 000
Library $1.6 mil.
*Recommended by Selectmen
4 3
Mr. Kingston stated that he hoped to have his report completed
by Monday, February 19, 1973.
E . STRATEGY
Chairman Furash suggested that the Committee form their
strategy for the remainder of the week:
a. the buying of the "dream list" means a
$75.00 tax rate -- 12 months ; $37.50 for
six months . Is this what we want to do?
b. Hopefully we are going to look to the
U Board of Selectmen for some cuts in their
personnel .
c . Some Articles which we have not received
sufficient information on will have to be
put in a supplementary report.
d. If we go for bonding this could reduce the
tax rate - $68.00 for 12 months and half
that for six.
e . Settle $20.00 discretionary items on
insurance .
Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 P.M. to meet in EXECUTIVE SESSION
with the Board of Selectmen.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 15, 1973
at 7: 30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
-!e&
Elizabeth M. Flynn/mo'b
Secretary
I