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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-02-16-BOS-min 459 Minutes of Breakfast Meeting Board of Selectmen February 16, 1979 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Battin at 7 35 a.m. Those present included Mrs. Battin, Mr Busa, Mrs. Miley, Mr. Kent, Mr. Crain, Mr. Hutchinson, Mrs. Banks and guests Mr Otis Brown, Chairman of School Committee, Mr. Albert Zabin, Chairman of Planning Board, Mrs. Mary Shunney, Chairman Housing Authority, Mrs. Ruth Morey, Vice Chairman Board of Appeals, Mr. David Williams, Chairman of Conservation Commission, Mrs. Judith Uhrig, Recreation Committee, Dr. William Cosgrove, Chairman of Board of Health, Mr. William Sen, Chairman of Council on Aging, Mrs. Marcia Feakes, Chairman of Youth Commission. Mrs. Battin opened the meeting and asked for comments on the minutes. It was moved to accept the minutes as seconded. Voted. Mrs. Battin briefly outlined the meeting of the Local Government Advisory Committee with the Governor on Thursday, February 15th. One of the major concerns of the LGAC is the use of other revenue sources to offset increased cost This was discussed at length Thursday. LGAC members also discussed how to handle the scheduling of Town Meetings while this legislation is pending. Presently no meetings are being rescheduled but some Town officials are planning not to dissolve the meeting pending passage of this bill Mr. Brown informed the Selectmen that the School Committee is making contingency plans pending passage. The Board also noted that each Department Head as part of this year's budget submission include a budget with a 10% reduction. Mr. Hutchinson noted that while it is premature to discuss this, these proposals will be used to determine possible cuts if necessary. Mrs. Battin noted that the bill also includes $1 million for management assistance. She noted that it is most important to insist on a provision to allow Town Meetings to override the cap and not a State Appeals Board Committee Chairmen discussed some of the alternates being looked at, parti- cularly those which may be more logical for Lexington. It was agreed that these should in some manner be brought to the Governor. Because of the amount of information being funneled to him, it was suggested that the Board of Selectmen focus on 3 or 4 critical issues. Mr. Crain commented that it is imperative as we approach this issue that all committees and boards work together and not become devisive. Mr. Williams asked about this year's budget and the chance of tax stabilization in future years. Mr. Hutchinson responded that this year's budget is in good shape because of E & D, which has been helped particularly by monies returned from the Schools, Town Department, and Conservation purchases. We anticipate that E & D will be in good shape for several more years and will in fact continue to serve as a tax stabilization fund. 1I 460 Minutes of Breakfast Meeting (Continued-2) Board of Selectmen February 16, 1979 All committee• chairmen were asked by Mrs Battin to submit their concerns about the legislation to Bob by Tuesday so these can be put together for the Governor Mrs Battin then moved the discussion to the Warrant Mr Morey raised a question to Mr Zabin about the term SPGA in the planning Board's proposed amendments to the Zoning By-Law Mrs Morey felt SPGA should be clarified so it is understood that this refers to the Board of Appeals Mr. Busa raised questions about the Planning Board's proposed revision to the parking requirements He noted that the requirement does not affect the central business district and is not based on realistice economic considerations Mr Zabin responded that these were based on acceptable planning practices The question was raised as to whether these require- ments could be reduced if public transit were increased The discussion turned to the Housing Authority's Scattered Site program and the pending decision by the Board to transfer the tax title lots Mrs Uhrig briefly discussed Article 39 to establish a revolving fund for the Recreation Department Because their budget request in Article 4 may change, she questioned how the order of the articles should be handled. It was suggested that the Recreation Committee discuss this with the Moderator Dr Cosgrove noted that the Appropriation Committee cut the Board of Health $500 and did not touch the Mystic Valley Mental Health Center, even after the Center had agreed to a 10% cut Mr Hutchinson responded saying that he had not been formally told about this cut. His own office had looked at the services provided and number of people served. The numbers did not seem to indicate that a cut was warranted this year. The Manager, however, did say he would look into the 10% cut A question was raised on the Housing Policy article The work on this is still not final, pending submission of a minority report The Selectmen and other concerned Boards will discuss it at their respective Board meetings and then meet with the Planning Board to resolve differences prior to drafting the final motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9 00 a.m. It was agreed to schedule another meeting in a couple of months. Respectfully submitted, 3/6" Nancy Banks Assistant to the Town Manager