HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-12-17-AC-min
Minutes
Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee
December 17, 2008
Place and time: Legion Room, Cary Memorial Building, 7:30 PM
Members present: Alan Levine (Chair), John Bartenstein, Pam Hoffman, Susan
McLeish, Eric Michelson, Glenn Parker, Rob Addelson (ex officio, non-voting)
Also present: Tom Diaz, Patrick Mehr
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM.
Health Insurance Issues.
1. Patrick Mehr is developing a warrant article for the
annual town meeting which will address his concerns regarding the slow pace of working
to reducing the cost of employee health insurance. He summarized those concerns and
asked for committee feedback.
Alan Levine will be replacing Deborah Brown during meetings of the Town
Manager’s Health Insurance Working Group.
Tomorrow night a Health Care Panel Discussion will be moderated by Michael
Kennealy.
Budget Summit.
2. The next summit is scheduled for 1/15/09 at 7:30.
New Committee Member.
3. Mollie Garberg has been appointed to the
committee, replacing Deborah Brown.
Meeting Minutes.
3. A request is again made for all members to complete and
submit their meeting minutes for committee review and approval.
Member Assignments.
4.
Glenn Parker – capital
Pam Hoffman – schools
Eric Michelson – CPA
Susan McLeish – Board of Selectmen
Eric Michelson – 3 year forecast
Community Preservation Committee.
5. The CPC’s public hearing was last
night. Twelve projects were presented. One public concern expressed was that the CPC
should not be approving projects to rehabilitate or renovate municipal buildings under the
cover of historic preservation money.
Public School Budget Issues.
6. Tom Diaz reported the following issues facing
the School Committee:
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-Reduced FY09 State Aid – Dr Ash was asked to reexamine the budget for
sources to make up for the cut to state aid. One source is a possible $900k of unspent
funds that are still on the books from FY07, FY08 and FY09.
- FY07 $500k – miscommunication between municipal and school finance
departments regarding close out of certain purchase orders
-FY08 $348k - encumbered yet unexpended ($248k utilities, $100k SPED)
-FY08 $53k - over estimate of purchase orders (hence encumbrance).
This $900k would flow to free cash and be available either at a fall 2009 STM or the
2010 ATM. The School Committee passed a motion to recommend drawing money from
the Stabilization Fund in place of this $900k and then to replace it later when these funds
are available.
-Projections based on the closing of the first quarter (Sept 09) books indicate a
$291k surplus in the school budget. However this estimate is based on one quarter and
the administration does not feel it is prudent to count on the surplus as justification for
any changes in spending levels.
-enrollments are projected to decrease over the next four years, resulting in the
need for 2 less teachers per year.
-Avalon Bay enrollments are as projected, at about 120 students
-a comparison of part-time employees in Brookline vs. Lexington shows that
Brookline has more part-timers then Lexington eligible for benefits as a percentage of the
total workforce.
Munroe School RFP
7. was discussed at the last Selectmen’s meeting. The
refusal of the STM to fund study of Munroe for a senior center was interpreted as a
rejection of the site for that purpose. The Selectmen will attempt to draw up an RFP for
the building. Some committee members continue to ask what the value of the building is
so that the Town can quantify the value of its “contribution” to the arts.
Special Town Meeting Review.
8. A general discussion was held in an attempt
to understand the factors that lead to the change in the Committee’s vote supporting
Article 8. The problem arose because a Town-authorized and funded capital study was
not made available to the working group which had been studying the Munroe School.
Two main points were apparent. First, it is vital that the work of town committees be
adequately supported by town leaders, and that responsibility includes providing these
volunteers with all applicable and relevant past studies. Secondly, it is important for
there to be open communication and report sharing between all parties reporting on issues
that come before town meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Eric Michelson
Approved July 6, 2009
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