THIRTY-SEVENTH MEETING WARRANT COMMITTEE MARCH 22, 2006
PRESENT: K. Conlon, T. Lowney, D. Biagiotti, J. Conley, W. Connors, H. Crichlow, L. Dee, N. Gray, T. Hurley, S. Keel, B. Mason, P. Nolan, L. Walker
ABSENT: J. O’Connor, C. Winston
RESERVE FUND BALANCE: $253,046
Assessors’ Set-aside 5,123
BALANCE: $247,923
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
The Committee received a memorandum from the Town Administrator proposing alternative non-contingent budget recommendations for budgets under the Selectmen’s jurisdiction, as the Warrant Committee had requested. The Committee also received a list of articles which need to be considered and voted upon.
A conference was held with Chair of the Trustees of the Library Kathryn Fagan and Library Director Philip McNulty, who distributed a revised FY 2007 Library budget incorporating the contingent and non-contingent draft budget voted by the Warrant Committee on March 18, 2006. Director McNulty and Trustee Fagan strongly recommended that $17,000 be added to the contingent budget for Sunday operations. The non-contingent budget would result in the reduction of one part-time employee and cannot be further reduced without jeopardizing the construction grant.
A conference was held with School Committee Chair Glenn Pavlicek, School Superintendent Magdalene Giffune, Assistant Superintendent Mary Gormley and Assistant Superintendent of Business Paul Hilton, who discussed the contingent and non-contingent draft budget prepared by the Warrant Committee on March 18, 2006. Superintendent Giffune illustrated what the results of the non-contingent budget would be on staffing, classroom sizes, athletic programs, etc. The contingent budget would allow the School Department to maintain classroom size and purchase materials. A discussion then followed on current Medicaid reimbursements and the process to be used to allocate these funds to the FY 2006 School Department appropriation.
On a motion made by Member Walker and seconded by Member Keel, the Committee voted 12-0-0 to approve a $1,717 Reserve Fund transfer to the FY 2006 Veterans’ benefits appropriation.
On a motion made by Member Keel and seconded by Member Crichlow, the Committee voted 12-0-0 to approve a $1,436 Reserve Fund transfer to the FY 2006 Unemployment appropriation for payment of February activity.
Members Nolan and Mason recused themselves. The Committee voted, with Members Conlon, Lowney, Biagiotti, Conley, Connors, Crichlow, Dee, Gray, Hurley, Keel and Walker voting yes, to go into Executive Session for the purpose of approving the Executive Session minutes of March 21, 2006 and to return to Open Session to continue the meeting.
The Committee returned to Open Session and Members Nolan and Mason returned to the meeting.
On a motion made by Member Keel and seconded by Member Crichlow, the Committee voted 11-0-1 to approve the minutes of March 21, 2006.
Prior to the vote on Article LL regarding a negotiated settlement appropriation for the Police Superior Officers and Patrolmen, Members Nolan and Mason recused themselves. The Committee, on a motion made by Member Lowney and seconded by Member Dee, voted 10-0-0 to recommend Article LL in the amount of $293,847. Members Nolan and Mason returned to the meeting.
On a motion made by Member Lowney and seconded by Member Hurley, the Committee voted 12-0-0 to make NO RECOMMENDATION AT THIS TIME on Article G, Definition of Family because the Planning Board has scheduled another public hearing on the article.
Prior to the vote on Article Q, Traffic Commission, Member Nolan recused himself. The Committee, on a motion made by Member Biagiotti and seconded by Member Dee, voted 10-0-1 to RECOMMEND a Yes vote on Article Q reorganizing the Traffic Commission. Member Nolan returned to the meeting.
On a motion made by Member Lowney and seconded by Member Keel, the Committee voted 11-0-1 to RECOMMEND approval of Article R appropriating $81,786 for the third year lease payment for Department of Public Works equipment.
The Committee reviewed Article D - Demolition of Buildings. Member Mason moved to recommend approval of the article. Member Dee seconded the motion. After a brief discussion, the Committee voted 5-6-1 and the motion failed. Member Biagiotti will contact Historical Commission Chair Nicholas Carter to review with him questions about the article.
RESERVE FUND BALANCE: $249,893
Assessors’ Set-aside 5,123
BALANCE: $244,770
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
The next meeting of the Warrant Committee is on March 23, 2006.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol A. Blute, Senior Administrative Clerk
March 23, 2006
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