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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