Date of Meeting: Monday, March 30, 2009
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:55 PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton; Roger Deal; Ken Sydow
Others Present: Stephen Madaus, Town Counsel; Nancy Colbert, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; Michael Kane, Banner reporter; others as noted on sign-in sheet.
Budget:
· Nancy reviewed the final budget draft.
· Jim said the Town was to increase their budget by $50K, based on the “blue” budget as of December 15.
· Nancy said that since then, the cherry sheet shows $15K less; new growth is reduced. Also, Dan had revolving account revenue included but didn’t realize expenditures were not included in the numbers. Therefore, there was a short fall that needed to be made up. Over the past week, we have changed to the “green” budget sheets on the municipal side, or level-funded.
· Roger stated, referring to pp. 22 and 24 of the Revenue Study Committee Report forecasts based on level-funded programs. In his opinion, how can the Tahanto budget increase so dramatically while the Boylston Elementary School and Municipal budgets remain nearly level-funded. Superintendent McDermott sat on the Revenue Study Committee that recommended a level-funded (or close) budget.
· Jim said the goal we gave Joe Connelly was to achieve a budget that did not need an override. The total revenue increase from FY’09 to FY’10 is only about $280K.
· Roger said it makes sense to “bite the bullet” now to soften the blow for the next year or two when the economy continues to falter.
· Ken said there’s a perception that the “town” side has to cut back and the numbers show it did, but the school side continues to grow. Several improvements are in process. If the school funds the $50K shortfall we are facing this week, it goes a long was to show efforts on both sides. That’s probably as good as it will get this year.
· Roger: If Special Education costs increase, then other parts of the budget for Tahanto should have been adjusted. Next year they will receive the Special Education reimbursement but still have the same percentage increased budget to work with.
· Ken said other towns are looking at salary freezes, benefit reductions, etc. We’re fortunate to balance the budget.
· Jim: What is Roger’s suggestion?
· Roger: I suggest we cut Tahanto’s four percent increase down to one to one and a half percent to follow what the balance of the Town is doing.
· Jim: The Board of Selectmen needs to decide tonight if, as a Board, it is going to present a budget to the Town that meets its revenues.
· Ken said he feels that if we can come in within revenues with a balanced budget, we’re doing okay and have weathered the storm for another year.
· Roger pointed out that next year we’ll also be faced with building a school.
· Nancy: We were working toward a bottom line net expenditure not to exceed our revenue increase and we’ve achieved that. It wasn’t by department or town/school.
· Ken: I would suggest we leave the budget as is, pending a $50K reduction, to present to the Finance Committee at Wednesday night’s meeting. He agrees with Roger about tightening our belt, but it’s too late in the process this year to fix it and reduce the numbers.
· Jim said Superintendent McDermott understands that this is a multi-year process and anticipates next year’s budget to be difficult.
· Roger: It’s time to get the Marketing Committee that we’ve been talking about put together and going forward.
· Jim: We’re headed in the right direction, based on what it used to be in the past.
· Ken suggested we schedule a work session with only “Economic Development/Commercial Route 140” on the agenda. It’s a strength of our new Town administrator and we need to ask her to lay out a framework of what needs to be done.
· Roger said Nancy should first establish guidelines so that when a committee is in place, they have a plan.
· Jim reiterated to Nancy: direction on the budget is not to exceed our anticipated revenues.
Warrant Review:
· Jim would like to see school committee votes.
· Add an article to establish a revolving fund for real estate.
· Article 19: (Board of Assessors elected versus appointed). Nancy listed several towns (West Boylston, Acton, Lynn, etc.) that also have an appointed Board of Assessors
· Article 20: Animal Control bylaw: Stephen said all statutes don’t need to be adopted; there are already general laws. The only thing missing in the bylaws was the enforcement officer; Stephen also included police officers.
· Article 26: Library carpet (remove).
· Article 27: What is the cost of used front-end loader? Nancy will look into it.
· Article 28: Assessors’ article to appoint officer of Board. Steve: 26§A states no member of a board is eligible to work for the same board unless approved.
· Article 29: Fuller Zoning decision. Nancy doesn’t recommend. Stephen said it has to be put on the Warrant due to land owner submitting it; the Planning Board has to hold a hearing and will recommend at the Town Meeting. A two-thirds vote is required.
· Article 30: Amendment to Regional School Agreement.
*Jim said the sixth grade component is missing; we should get that from them or amend on the meeting floor.
*Ken asked if the sixth grade does not go with it, is it an improvement for Boylston?
*Jim said yes.
*Roger said it’s an improvement, but it should be faced now, since it will be an issue in the future.
*Jim said he would like to see that the School Committee voted to put this on.
*Nancy is to follow up with the School Committee.
· Article 31: 43D zoning bylaws.
*Interim overlay district also submitted, but Nancy pulled it off. Planning Board will have a hearing.
* Jim: Are we required to make other changes, to be compliant with the grant?
* Nancy said yes.
*Jim asked the status of the balance of other parcels with Gould Title Co. Steve said they are still working on the 111-acre parcel, then will move onto others. They are not sure how much longer it will take.
*Ken said he does not want it on the Warrant until we’ve had more time to resolve the parcel issues. The Linden Street Extension is easement to possible town-owned parcels. Maybe abutters want to continue development of the road.
*Steve said it first needs to be referred to the Planning Board for a report.
*The Board agreed not to put it on the Warrant.
* Steve will pursue the title searches with Gould.
· Stormwater bylaw: The Board of Selectmen agreed to put an article in if Steve and Nancy agree it is necessary. Joe McGrath
Upon motion made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
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