HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-23-AC-minFebruary 23, 2012
Minutes
Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee Meeting
February 23, 2012
Time and Location: Room G15, Town Offices, 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Glenn Parker, Chair; John Bartenstein, Vice Chair and Secretary; Joe Pato, Vice
Chair; Mollie Garberg; Alan Levine; Eric Michelson; Jonina Schonfeld; Richard Neumeier, Rob
Addelson (non- voting, ex officio)
Not present: Robert Cohen
The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m.
Minutes.
The 12/7/11 and 1/26/12 minutes will be edited for review at the next meeting.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the 2/8/12 minutes as amended to clarify the discussion
of bus fees. Vote: Approved 8 -0 -0
Employee Benefits. Joe Pato explained the methodology used for determining enrollment
projections. The components of the methodology include quantifying the number of benefit- eligible
employees and the number of current and projected retirees; applying a projected mortality rate; and
analyzing plan design. The committee agreed that the current methodology used represents a
conservative approach, and that the issue can be revisited once the Town has had experience with the
GIC plan. The committee also discussed the relationship between contribution rates and spousal
participation, and compensation. Mr. Pato noted the need for additional data on the number of
benefit eligible employees in the schools.
Action: Mr. Pato will send a formal request on behalf of the Committee to the Town Manager and
School Superintendent for the Town to collect and report this data.
Liaison Reports by staff and members. Mr. Addelson gave a report as follows:
Budget. Mr. Addelson reported that the final FY2013 Recommended Budget would be presented for
a vote at the next Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday, February 27. He will follow up on
emailed questions from Mr. Levine on the white book.
Miscellaneous. Mr. Addelson noted that the Town recently issued debt refunding bonds at an
attractive rate (see minutes of December 7, 2011 for details) and that all parties involved in the recent
negotiations on health benefits were satisfied with the process.
Warrant Articles. The Committee discussed the upcoming articles in the Warrants for the Spring
Special Town Meeting and Annual Town Meeting.
Article 2 of the Special Town Meeting Warrant on rebuilding the Estabrook school was discussed. A
motion to recommend approval was moved and seconded. Vote: Approved 7 -0 -1.
February 23, 2012
Article 5 on appropriations for enterprise fund operating costs was discussed.
Article 6 on the Senior Service Program was discussed. A motion to recommend approval to
appropriate $20,000 for the program was moved and seconded. Vote: Approved 8 -0 -0.
Article 7 on Revolving Funds was discussed. A motion to recommend approval of the proposed
reauthorization and establishment of spending limits for all revolving funds except the school bus
transportation fund was moved and seconded. Vote: Approved 8 -0 -0. A vote on the school bus
transportation fund will be deferred pending completion of the ongoing bid process for a new school
bus contract.
Article 8 on CPA projects was discussed. A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval
of projects k and 1. Vote: Approved 8 -0 -0.
Article 23 on the Debt Service Stabilization Fund was discussed. A motion was made and seconded
to recommend approval of this article. Vote: Approved 8 -0 -0.
The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, February 29 at 7:3 Opm in G -15 in
Town Hall.
The meeting was adjourned at 9 :44pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mollie Garberg
Approved March 13, 2012
2
February 23, 2012
Exhibits
Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee Meeting
February 23, 2012
1. Meeting Agenda, posted by Glenn Parker, Chair.