HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-08-AC-minMarch 8, 2012
Minutes
Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee Meeting
March 8, 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; Robert Cohen; Mollie Garberg; Alan Levine; Eric Michelson; Jonina Schonfeld; Richard
Neumeier
Not present: Rob Addelson (non - voting, ex officio)
Others in attendance: Theo Kalivas, Budget Officer
The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m.
Announcements.
Mr. Parker reported that the Town has completed interviewing candidates for the position of
recording secretary for the finance committees and will be issuing a job offer shortly.
Minutes.
No minutes were available for review.
Reports by Staff and Members.
Assessments: Mr. Michelson reported on a discussion with Mr. Addelson regarding the failure in
some instances to reassess renovated residential properties when ownership doesn't change. If
permits are not closed out properly, the reassessment process may not be triggered and potential new
growth may be lost.
ACTION: The Committee to follow -up after Town Meeting concludes.
Building Contractor: A concerned resident contacted Mr. Michelson to report that the Town is about
to engage a general contractor that had been decertified by the Division of Capital Asset Management
(DCAM) in 2008 and was only recently recertified.
ACTION: Mr. Michelson to pursue with the Permanent Building Committee.
Court Decision: A recent Supreme Judicial Court decision in a case brought against the City of
Boston held that municipalities are not required to cover the state's 50% share of Quinn Bill
educational incentives for law enforcement officers who have college degrees in criminal justice and
law. Mr. Bartenstein reported that this will not affect Lexington in the short term, as the Town agreed
contractually in a recent collective bargaining agreement with police officers to cover the state share,
although it could change the landscape for future collective bargaining on this point.
March 8, 2012
Board of Selectmen: Mr. Pato noted a report by the Town Manager at a recent meeting of the Board
of Selectmen that the new interest rate for senior property tax deferrals will be 0.17% simple interest.
This rate is reset as of March 1 of each year based on the Federal fund rate.
Warrant Articles. The Committee reviewed its existing positions on warrant articles and Mr. Cohen
added his votes. The current positions are:
Special Town Meeting:
Article 2, Estabrook School Replacement: approved (8 — 0 —1).
Annual Town Meeting:
Article 6, Senior Service Program, to appropriate $20K: approved (9 — 0 — 0).
Article 7, Revolving Funds (except School Bus): approved (9 — 0 — 0).
Article 8 k & 1, Community Preservation: approved (9 — 0 — 0).
Article 23, Debt Service Stabilization Fund: approved (9 — 0 — 0).
Members reviewed status on draft write -ups for consideration at future meetings. Drafts are due by
Tuesday March 13 for deliberation.
Mr. Michelson presented the status of four additional CPA projects and the committee took the
following actions:
Article 8 a - Archives and Records Management /Conservation. A motion to recommend approval
was made and seconded. Vote: Approved (9 -0 -0).
Article 8 c - Muzzey Senior Center Upgrades. A motion to recommend approval was made and
seconded. Vote: Approved (9 -0 -0).
Article 8 d - Cary Memorial Building Upgrades was discussed and the Committee decided to
defer consideration to a future meeting.
Article 8 m - Administrative Budget. A motion to recommend approval was made and seconded.
Vote: Approved (9 -0 -0).
The next meeting of the Appropriation Committee is scheduled for March 13 at 7:30pm in the Ellen
Stone Room of Cary Hall, 1605 Massachusetts Ave.
Adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joe Pato
Approved March 13, 2012
2
March 8, 2012
Exhibits
Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee Meeting
March 8, 2012
1. Meeting Agenda, posted by Glenn Parker, Chair.