HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-10-AC-minSeptember 10, 2009
Minutes
Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee
September 10, 2009
Place and time: Legion Room, Cary Memorial Building, 7:30 PM
Members present: Alan Levine (Chair), John Bartenstein (Vice Chair), Richard Eurich, Mollie
Garberg, Susan McLeish (Secretary), Eric Michelson, Glenn Parker, and Rob Addelson (ex
officio, non - voting).
Visitors present: none
The meeting was called to order at 7:38 PM.
1. Announcements and Reports
o The Association of Town Finance Committees (ATFC) Annual Meeting will be held on
Oct. 24 in Franklin, MA. Mollie Garberg plans to attend this meeting. See the Events
calendar at http : / /www.massmunicipaljobs.com/
o Susan McLeish reported on the 8/31 Selectmen's Meeting. A Special Town Meeting is
expected on Nov. 9, 2009, continuing on Nov. 16 and Nov. 18 as needed.
2. Future Meeting Schedule
o There will be a Budget Summit meeting on Thu. 10 /1.
o The Appropriation Committee plans to meet on Tue. 9/22, Thu. 10/8, Wed. 10/14, Wed.
10/21, Wed. 10/28, Wed. 11/4.
3. Preparation for Special Town Meeting
o Rob Addelson was asked to provide revenue estimates and explanatory background for
the new local option tax. Rob expects the town would receive approximately
$500,000 /year in revenue from the new hotel and meals taxes. Assuming that the town
institutes these new taxes promptly, this would mean an additional $250,000 in
unallocated funds for FYI 0.
o The new poles and wires telecom tax went into effect on June 1, 2009, but these funds
were not incorporated into the official town budget. This will provide revenue at a rate of
approximately $500,000 /year.
o The town's free cash number will be submitted to the State in October and should be
approved in time for the STM.
o There will be three rezoning proposals on the warrant for the STM: Patriot Partners,
Cubist Pharmaceuticals, and a minor change in the downtown area.
September 10, 2009
4. Busa Property
o The Busa Property received a 21E finding of contamination from the Mass. Dept. of
Environmental Protection. The owners will be responsible for resolving the problem.
The closing date has been postponed from mid -Sep. to the Nov./Dec. timeframe.
5. Pension /OPEB Funds
o Alan Levine and Rob Addelson discussed ways to perform a quantitative analysis of the
town Pension and "Other Post - Retirement Employee Benefit" (OPEB) funds.
6. Election of Officers
• Alan Levine noted that no one has yet been appointed to fill the seat held by Mike
Kennealy. The Town Meeting Moderator (Deb Brown) is responsible for making
appointments.
• The committee is required to elect officers, but the issue was tabled until the next meeting
of the committee.
7. Committee Focus
o Alan Levine suggested that the committee should focus on the topic of health insurance
(including the G.I.C.). There is a new Health Insurance Task Force formed by the
Selectmen, and Mike Kennealy serves on this task force. Eric Michelson will try to attend
HITF meetings and report back to the committee.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Glenn Parker
Approved October 8, 2009