HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-10-08-AC-minOctober 8, 2009
Minutes
Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee
October 8, 2009
Place and time: Legion Room, Cary Memorial Hall, 7:30 PM
Members present: Alan Levine (Chair), Richard Eurich, Mollie Garberg, Pam Hoffman, Susan
McLeish, Eric Michelson, Glenn Parker (Vice Chair), and Rob Addelson (ex officio, non - voting)
Visitors present: Joe Pato
The meeting was called to order at 7:38 PM.
1. Announcements and Reports
o Susan McLeish reported on the 10/5 Selectmen's Meeting. Water and sewer rates will be
set on 10/19. At the request of School Superintendent Ash, the Selectmen approved a
"statement of interest" to the State, which is required to apply for state funds to help
renovate the high school.
o Rob Addelson stated that the recommended combined W &S rate would be a 3.8%
reduction from last year's rates.
o Rob distributed a revised diagram about the Town's free cash account to correct minor
errors in the previous week's diagram.
o Rob led a discussion about Rick Eurich's e -mail questions concerning the revenue
estimate for Art. 2 in the upcoming STM. Rob suggested that further detailed questions
regarding the estimated revenue report should be directed to a representative from
Connery Associates.
o Rob will provide the Committee with recommendations for budget stabilization (Art. 13)
by 10/28.
2. Preparation for Special Town Meeting
Topic
Who
Draft
Vote
Intro
Alan
10/26
10/28
Art 2 Rezoning - Lexington Technology Park
Rick, Alan
10/26
10/28
Art. 3 Rezoning - Cubist Pharmaceuticals
Rick, Eric, Alan
10/26
10/28
Art. 5 Munroe School
Susan, Alan
10/26
(pending
Selectmen)
10/28
Art. 6 Meals Excise
Susan
10/26
10/28
October 8, 2009
Art. 7 Room Occupancy Excise
Rick
10/26
10/28
Art. 8 Contract for Solar Energy
Pam
10/14
10/21
Art. 9 Sister City Program
Mollie
10/19
10/21
Art. 10 Traffic Mitigation Stabilization Fund
Glenn
10/19
10/21
Art. 11 Appropriate to Stabilization Fund
Pam
10/19
10/21
Art. 12 Waltham St. Pedestrian Crossing
Glenn
10/19
10/21
Art. 13 Amend FY2010 Operating Budget
Pam
10/26
10/28
Art. 14 Amend FY2010 Enterprise Funds
Budgets
Alan, John
10/26
10/28
Editing
Glenn
final
(final)
11/04
3. Appropriation Committee Strategic Planning Session
o Pam Hoffman offered an outline for a strategic planning session to examine the role and
functioning of the Appropriation Committee. Pam suggested that this session should be
held soon after the STM. Mollie and Pam will talk with some potential moderators for the
session.
4. School Facilities
o Rick Eurich reports that Lexington High School requires approximately $37,000,000 in
deferred maintenance and upgrades to bring it into compliance with State standards for
public schools. Bowman and Bridge Elementary Schools require another $13,000,000 in
maintenance. Estabrook is in very poor condition, but it will be maintained as necessary
until it can be rebuilt. Hastings can continue to function with a basic maintenance budget.
The town will apply to the state for funding of work on LHS, since it is the largest need.
Next in line for state funds would be Estabrook Elementary.
5. Fiscal Task Force
o Alan Levine reported on the proceedings of the Town's Fiscal Task Force, which is
wrestling with issues such as total compensation (including retirement and vacation
benefits) and the negative impact of the regulatory structure when evaluating
compensation. The FTF has two more meetings scheduled before the STM and expects to
issue a report to the coming STM under Art. 1.
6. Minuteman Tech
o Eric Michelson reported that Minuteman Tech is looking to obtain State funding for
capital improvements in the form of matching grants. Eric says that Belmont Town
Meeting is dissatisfied with the level of its assessment for Minuteman Tech and is
investigating whether it can be lowered.
October 8, 2009
7. Minutes
o Approved minutes for 9/10/09 and 9/22/09 by unanimous vote.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Glenn Parker
Approved October 28, 2009