THIRTY-NINTH MEETING WARRANT COMMITTEE MARCH 27, 2006
PRESENT: K. Conlon, D. Biagiotti, J. Conley, W. Connors, H. Crichlow, L. Dee, N. Gray, T. Hurley, S. Keel, B. Mason, P. Nolan, L. Walker, C. Winston
ABSENT: T. Lowney J. O’Connor
RESERVE FUND BALANCE: $249,893
Assessors’ Set-Aside 5,123
BALANCE: $244,770
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
The Committee received copies of the budget spreadsheets as voted on March 23, 20006 indicating non-contingent and contingent recommendations along with percentage increases over Fiscal 2006. The Committee also received a copy of the 2006 Annual Town Meeting Warrant as prepared to date and a spreadsheet indicating revised estimated FY 2007 revenue.
A conference was held with Conservation Department Administrative Assistant Kara Barry and Department of Public Works Program Manager Reva Levin, who reviewed with the Committee articles submitted for the Annual Town meeting involving Stormwater and Vernal Pools. Discussion was held on the proposed Stormwater Management Bylaw and the proposed amendment of Chapter 15 of the Zoning Bylaws involving vernal pools. Further discussion on these articles will be held on Wednesday, March 29, 2006, with Don Neal, Chair of the Conservation Commission.
Warrant Committee Member Barbara Mason recused herself. A conference was held with Ann Walsh, Chair of the Cemetery Trustees, Trustee Robert Mason and Cemetery Director Therese Desmond-Sills, who reviewed with the Committee the FY 2007 Cemetery Department budget request and the contingent and non-contingent recommendations of the Warrant Committee. They stressed that it would be difficult for the Cemetery Department to operate within the budget as currently recommended to Town Meeting. Chair Conlon thanked them for attending the meeting and presenting their concerns. Member Mason returned to the meeting.
On a motion made by Member Connors and seconded by Member Conley, the minutes of March 22, 2006 were approved 11-0-1. On a motion made by Member Connors and seconded by Member Winston, the minutes of March 23, 2006 were approved 9-0-2.
The Chair reviewed with the Committee the projected FY 2007 revenue including $350,000 in increased income. The Committee discussed the School Department’s request for $300,000 from free cash under a Special Town Meeting article to be submitted, which amount would be based on anticipated Medicaid reimbursement.
Member Winston moved, seconded by Member Dee, to set aside $300,000 from free cash to be appropriated for the School Department FY 2006 budget. The Committee voted 7-4-0 in favor of the motion.
Member Winston moved, seconded by Member Mason, to reopen the non-contingent votes taken at the March 23, 2006 meeting. The motion passed 10-1-0.
Member Winston made a motion, seconded by Member Dee, to remove $16,000 from the non-contingent Selectmen’s recommendation of $369,781. The motion failed 2-9-0.
Member Walker made a motion, seconded by Member Winston, to increase the Treasurer/Collector non-contingent budget by $3,562. The motion passed 11-0-0.
Member Keel moved and Member Mason seconded the motion to increase the Warrant Committee budget by $700. The motion passed 11-0-0.
Member Crichlow moved, and Member Winston seconded the motion, to increase the Health Department budget by $6,000. The motion passed 11-0-0.
Member Biagiotti moved, seconded by Member Walker, to increase the Assessors budget by $7,800. The motion passed 10-0-1.
Member Mason recused herself. Member Winston moved, seconded by Member Dee, to increase the Cemetery Department budget by $15,000. The motion passed 9-1-0. Member Mason returned to the meeting.
Member Nolan moved, seconded by Member Dee, to increase the Town Clerk’s budget by $5,000. The motion passed 6-5-0.
Member Keel moved, seconded by Member Crichlow, to increase the Council on Aging budget by $5,000. The motion failed 5-6-0.
Member Connors moved, seconded by Member Winston, to increase the Reserve Fund by $11,374. Member Hurley offered an amendment to decrease the amount to $10,000, which was accepted by Member Connors. The motion to increase the Reserve Fund by $10,000 passed 10-1-0.
Member Winston moved, seconded by Member Dee, that the Committee accept the non-contingent budget as created on March 27, 2006. The motion passed 12-0-0.
Member Crichlow moved, seconded by Member Mason, to reopen the Contingent Budget as approved on March 23,2006. The Committee voted 12-0-0 in favor of the motion.
Member Hurley moved, seconded by Member Winston, to remove $10,000 from the Personnel Board contingent budget. The motion passed 8-6-0.
Member Conley moved, seconded by Member Mason, to recommend an FY 2007 $50,000 appropriation for Randolph Avenue Traffic Consultant. The motion failed 3-9-0.
Member Winston moved, with a second from Member Mason, to reduce the Inspectional Service contingent budget to $294,481. The motion passed 7-6-0, with the Chair voting in the affirmative.
Member Biagiotti moved, seconded by Member Walker, to recommend the contingent budget in the amount of $3,394,712. The motion passed 10-0-0.
Member Winston moved, seconded by Member Dee, that the Warrant Committee recommend to Town Meeting the contingent budget that would require passage by the voters of a $3,394,712 operating override. The motion passed 12-0-0.
Member Winston moved, and Member Mason seconded the motion, to recommend a Yes vote on Article JJJ of $450,000 (Hillside/Copeland funds) to the School Department. The motion passed 11-0-1.
Member Gray moved, and Member Hurley seconded, to make No recommendation at thie time on Article V, Java Joe (liquor license home rule petition). The motion passed 12-0-0.
Member Biagiotti moved, seconded by Member Keel, to recommend that no appropriation be made under Article S, Capital Stabilization. The motion passed 12-0-0.
RESERVE FUND BALANCE: $249,893
Assessors’ Set-Aside 5,123
BALANCE: $244,770
The next meeting of the Warrant Committee will be on Wednesday, March 29, 2006.
The meeting adjourned at 11:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol A. Blute, Senior Administrative Clerk
April 5, 2006
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