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TWENTY-FIFTH MEETING March 23, 2005
PRESENT: E. Innes, K. Conlon, D. Biagiotti, W. Connors, L. Dee, K. Hodlin, M. Kelly, T. Lowney, B. Mason, N. Monroe, R. Musto, E. Redo, J. Tarvin, C. Winston.
ABSENT: M. Ellis, M. Kelly
RESERVE FUND BALANCE: $251,859
Chair Innes called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
The minutes of March 22, 2005 were approved 8-0-1.
The Committee received a course section list from the High School and Pierce Middle School prepared by the School Department and a communication from Clifford Flynn, Superintendent of Wires and John Calaboro, Assistant Superintendent of Wires, on the reasons why the Wire Department should remain intact.
A conference was held with Chair of the Board of Selectmen Charles McCarthy, who discussed the process of the Warrant, the reorganization of departments under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen, and Police and Fire FY 2006 budget allocations.
Conferences were held with Fire Chief Malcolm Larson and Police Chief Kevin Mearn, who reviewed with the Committee the impact of the Warrant Committee’s final budget approval for each department. The impact would result in the loss of firefighter and police officer positions, closing of a fire station, possible loss of mutual aid and the reduction of services to the public. The Chiefs distributed impact statements, incident reports and Police FY 2000 through FY 2005 budget comparison.
Town Administrator David Colton distributed and discussed a spreadsheet indicating Warrant Committee FY 2006 budget recommendations.
The Committee voted 7-6-0, with Chair Innes voting in the affirmative, to reopen the Warrant Committee’s vote of March 22, 2005 that had maintained the School Department FY 2006 budget at $27,783,176 and reduced the Police and Fire Departments each by $250,000, to $4,953,249 and $3,580,753 respectively.
A vote to recommend an FY 2006 budget of $27,283,176 for the School Department, $5,230,158 to the Police Department and $3,833,829 to the Fire Department was defeated 6-7-0 with Chair Innes voting
The Committee then voted 7-5-0 to recommend the following FY 2006 budgets: School Department $27,583,176, a reduction of $200,000 from March 22, 2005 vote; Police Department $5,080,158 (an increase of $100,000 from March 22, 2005 vote) and Fire Department $3,683,829 (an increase of $100,000 from March 22, 2005 vote).
The Committee voted 12-0-0 to reopen Article 16, Penning and Tethering of Dogs, because the Committee had not received the entire article as originally submitted, and voted 12-0-0 to recommend its acceptance to Town Meeting.
The Committee voted 12-0-0 to recommend Article 24, Water System Improvement, in the amount of $677,180.
The Committee voted 12-0-0 to recommend Article 25, Rehabilitation of the Town’s Surface Drain System, in the amount of $500,000.
Article 26, “Acceptance of Stormwater Bylaws,” was recommended by a vote of 11-0-1.
The Committee voted 12-0-0 to Reopen Article 31, “Library Revolving Fund - Building Maintenance,” and voted 12-0-0 to recommend to Town Meeting.
Article 34, “Establishment of Cemetery Revolving Fund,” was voted 12-0-0 at $25,000, with the Chair to contact the Cemetery Superintendent to confirm that a $25,000 limit is acceptable.
Article 41, “Appropriation from the Sale of the Hillside Property,” was recommended 12-0-0 at $444,798.
The Committee voted “No Recommendation at This Time” for Article 44, “Demolition of Historical Buildings,” by a vote of 12-0-0.
Article 45, 36 “Central Avenue Parking Lot Lease,” was approved 12-0-0 at $7,900.
The Committee voted 12-0-0 to reopen Article 49, and voted .12-0-0 “No Recommendation at This Time.”
Article 54, “Civil Rights and Liberties Resolution,” the Committee voted 12-0-0 “No Recommendation at This Time.”
Member John Tarvin recused himself, and the Committee voted 10-1-0 “No Recommendation at This Time” on Article 55, “Long Range Planning Committee.”
The Committee voted 10-2-0 to recommend the sum of $305 on Article 59, “Unpaid Bills” as un unpaid bill for the Police Department.
A discussion was held on the possibility and feasibility of an FY 2006 override in the amount of $1,250,000, with a distribution of $500,000 to the School Department, $250,000 to Police and Fire and $500,000 to the Stabilization Fund. Member John Tarvin asked for the sense of the Committee on the override, and the Committee voted 8-4-0 in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 11:00 p.m.
RESERVE FUND $330,789
Accounting Set Aside 750
School Department Set Aside 78,180
RESERVE FUND $251,859
The next meeting of the Warrant Committee will be on Thursday, March 24, 3005 at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol A. Blute, Clerk
March 28, 2005
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