HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-02-01-BOS-min SPECIAL
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
February I , 1973
A special meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the
Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Thursday,
February I , 1973, at 7 30 P. M. Chairman Kenney,Messrs. Bailey,
Buse, Brown and Mrs. Riff in; Mr. O'Connell , Town Manager; Chairman
Furash, Messrs. Bernier, Blaisdale, Burnell , Levingston, Mitchell ,
White, Mrs. Flynn of the Appropriation Committee; Mr. Perry, Comptroller,
were present.
A Tax Estimate Sheet was distributed by the Chairman of the
Appropriation Committee showing an estimated tax rate of $75 00
Mr. Furash stated that this estimate is unacceptable and he asked
how lean the Town can run in order to reduce this figure. Mr. Kenney
replied that the budget is based on the basic requirements for the
administrative costs of running the Town, and it is not possible to
run lean enough to reduce the rate by $10.00.
The group reviewed the 18 months Budoet Summary. Mr. Furash asked
the Board to identify the discretionary elements. He wishes to find
one million dollars. His committee wants to set dollar limits and to
operate within them. The Board and the Appropriation Committee re-
viewed accounts 1090; 1700; 1750; 7800; 8550,8525; 8100; 7850; 7225;
7200; 5800; 5700; 5600; 3300. The Appropriation Committee agreed that
the following accounts are non-controllable (with the exception of
$20,000 in 1700 which should be separately justified) 1700; 1750;
5600, 5800; 7800; 7825; 8100; 8200; 8500; 8525; 8550. Mr Furash
suggested that the 1972 cumulative total be used as the base line;
he would consider 3% as the acceptable 12 month increase from that
level , with the exclusion of snow removal. The Town Manager objected
to the 3% level since the 1973 purchase price of commodities has in-
creased, and therefore this approach would lead to the elimination or
curtailment of services. Chairman Kenney indicated that $5 of the in-
crease is attributable to the teacher payroll , $ 1. to the regional
vocational school , and $1.36, the amount we are shopping for, includes
uncontrollable increases.
1973 $1 , 102,555- Uncontrollable Cost; Snow Included
1972 948.414- Uncontrollable Cost; $115,000 for Snow
$ 154, 141 - A Difference of 16.2%
The Board agreed to look at the key budgets with programatic changes.
Appropriation Committee asked the Board of Selectmen to remove $30-
45,000 from the budget on a 12 month basis.
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Special Selectmen's Meeting February I , 1973
The two groups reviewed the costs involved in the Warrant
Articles for the 1973 Town Meeting.
In summing up, Mr. Furash again requested that the Board of
Selectmen reduce the tax rate by eliminating some of the discre-
tionary items. He suggested that the Board consider bonding of
sewers, since $800,000 for sewers adds $4. to the tax rate. He again
asked the Board to reduce the discretionary sum of $56,000 by $30,000.
The Appropriation Committee withdrew from the meeting. The
Board of Selectmen considered specific accounts Fire, Police,
Town Building Maintenance, Sewer Maintenance, Library, Conservation,
Dump which might be "massaged" to achieve some reductions
Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted to adjourn at
10 20 P.M.
,.:A.+( Natalie H Riffin
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