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March 28, 2011
Minutes
Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee Meeting
March 28, 2011
Time and Location: Ellen Stone Room, Cary Hall, 6:45 p.m.
Members Present: Glenn Parker, Chair; John Bartenstein, Vice Chair and Secretary;
Joe Pato, Vice Chair; Robert Cohen; Mollie Garberg; Alan Levine; Eric Michelson;
Susan McLeish; Richard Neumeier; Rob Addelson (non-voting, ex officio)
The meeting was called to order at 6:50 p.m.
Article 4 Amendment.
The Committee discussed Patrick Mehr’s proposed
amendment to Article 4 seeking the creation of a five-person committee to “conduct a
retrospective review of the accuracy of fiscal impact projections, including school
enrollment and increased tax collections,used to support rezoning actions brought to
Town Meetingover the lastten years.”
Comments were made on a number of aspects of the proposal, including the critique
Mr. Mehr had circulated with his motion of the projections of tax revenue and student
population that were made for the 2004 Avalon Bay project. Mr. Michelson noted that
the Town had engaged its own consultant toreviewthe data contained in the Connery
Reportprepared for Avalon, but that the Town’s consultant was paid for by Avalon.
Mr. Michelson said he supported gathering the data suggested in the amendment but
wantedto discuss whether the proposed committee is the most appropriate mechanism
for doing this. Ms. Garberg expressed concern about the staff time and other resources
that would be needed. Mr. Neumeierfavored getting adetailed understandingof the
issuesbutsuggested conserving resources by looking at re-zonings that were done
over a span of time shorterthan the ten years proposed. Ms. McLeish agreed that the
while the goal of the amendment is worthy, the proposed review timeframe is too
extensive,and suggested that the most important concern is to establish a sound
process for making fiscal projections going forward.
It was noted that broader economic and other trends that were not foreseeable may
have had an impact on the experience with Avalon Bay, and that it is important in
particular to consider the recent unexpected increase in school population and the need
for town services,as well as changing economic factors,all of which would need to be
tracked quantitatively and qualitatively. In response to a question about other projects,
Mr. Addelson observed that consultants brought in to provide analysis and projections
for the Shire projecthad done a thorough job. He emphasized the value ofmoving
forward and considering the best investment of collective time. Mr. Pato suggestedthat
thetype of research sought by the amendment could be useful and productive but the
proposed committee might not be the best mechanism.
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March 28, 2011
A Motion to approve the Article 4 amendment as written by Patrick Mehrwas made and
seconded. Vote: 2-6-1. The Committee discussedcomments that would be useful to
convey atTown Meeting to communicate its concerns.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
A list of documents and exhibits used at the meeting isattached.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Yepez
Recording Secretary
Approved April 6, 2011
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March 28, 2011
Exhibits
Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee Meeting
March 28, 2011
1. Meeting Agenda, posted by Glenn Parker, Chair.
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