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THIRTY-SIXTH MEETING WARRANT COMMITTEE MARCH 21, 2006
PRESENT: T. Lowney, D. Biagiotti, W. Connors, H. Crichlow, L. Dee, N. Gray (8:30 p.m.), T. Hurley (8:10 p.m.), S. Keel, B. Mason, P. Nolan, J. O’Connor (left at 9:05 p.m.), L. Walker, C. Winston
ABSENT: K. Conlon, J. Conley
RESERVE FUND BALANCE: $253,046
Assessors’ Set-aside 5,123
BALANCE: $247,923
In the absence of the Chair, Secretary Lowney called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
The Committee received revised copies of the following zoning articles: Defining Family; Drive-Through Food Service Facilities; Central Avenue Planned Unit Development, correspondence from Building Commissioner regarding the FY 2007 Inspectional Services budget; list of departmental spending year to date and a revised FY 2007 Group Insurance budget in the amount of $7,491,957, a reduction of $370,995 from the original request.
A conference was held with Board of Selectmen Chair Marion McEttrick and Town Administrator David Colton to discuss the Warrant Committee’s March 18th recommendations for contingent and non-contingent appropriations. Prior to discussion on the Group Insurance budget, Member Walker recused himself and returned to the meeting only at the conclusion of the discussion. The Town Administrator advised the Committee that the contingent and non-contingent recommendation for Group Insurance of $7,462,912 could remain. He distributed a spreadsheet adjusting the non-contingent Selectmen’s Department from $329,230 to $385,781 by eliminating the Selectmen’s request for $50,000 for a Randolph Avenue Traffic Consultant and deferring the $16,900 request for a
GASB Study until next year. The remaining $10,928 could be used by smaller departments. He also advised the Committee that the monies requested for GASB Study could be removed from the contingent budget. The Central Business Department would have to reduce staff and the Information Technology request would require less money for repairing and purchasing hardware and software. The request for tax title programs would remain as it is a revenue producer. He further advised the Committee that under the contingent budget, the Selectmen would be level service and the offices under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen could function.
A conference was held with Director of Public Works Walter Heller and Selectmen Chair Marion McEttrick, along with the Town Administrator, who distributed a chart involving six options which could affect the DPW under the Warrant Committee’s non-contingent recommendation of $3,167,133, a reduction of $547,331 from his original FY 2007 request. The discussion on these various options involved layoffs, closing the recycling center, eliminating all or part of the yard waste collection and disposal, turning off street lights.
A conference was held with Deputy Police Chief Richard G. Wells and Selectmen Chair Marion McEttrick, along with the Town Administrator, to review the Warrant Committee’s non-contingent budget recommendation of $5,179,182. Prior to discussion on the Police Department budget, Members Nolan and Mason recused themselves and returned to the meeting at the conclusion of the discussion. Deputy Chief Wells briefly reviewed with the Committee Article Q, the reorganization of the Traffic Commission, including the history and duties of the Commission and the reasons for the submission of the article.
The Committee then voted at 8:40 p.m.,with Members Lowney, Biagiotti, Connors, Crichlow, Dee, Gray, Hurley, Keel, O’Connor, Walker and Winston voting yes, to go into Executive Session to discuss the deployment of police personnel and following to return to Open Session.
The Committee returned to Open Session at 9:10 p.m. to continue with agenda business.
A conference was held with Town Planner Aaron Henry, Selectmen Chair Marion McEttrick and Town Administrator David Colton to review articles for the Annual Town Meeting submitted by the Planning Board. Town Planner Henry advised the Committee that Article E “Outdoor Lighting” had been withdrawn. Discussion involved Article F “Drive Through Facilities, Article G: “Definition of Family” and Article H “Central Avenue Planned Unit Development.”
On a motion made by Member Mason and seconded by Member Dee, the minutes of March 20, 2006 were approved 10-0-2.
The next meeting of the Warrant Committee will be on Wednesday, March 22, 2006.
RESERVE FUND BALANCE: $253,046
Assessors’ Set-aside 5,123
BALANCE: $247,923
The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol A. Blute, Senior Administrative Clerk
March 22, 2006
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