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SIXTEENTH MEETING WARRANT COMMITTEE JANUARY 4, 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. J. Walker, C. Winston.
ABSENT: J. O’Connor.
RESERVE FUND BALANCE: $329,877
Chair Conlon called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
The minutes of December 14, 2005 were approved 10-0-0.
The Committee received the following: the School Department narrative for its FY 2007 budget request, and a copy of the Department of Environmental Protection’s letter regarding the retirement of the Enterprise Fund established for the Milton Landfill. The Committee also received the following FY 2007 budget requests: Treasurer/Collector $278,391, Conservation Commission $2,500, Selectmen’s Office $481,513, Personnel Board $47,562 and revised Health Department $149,931. Revised preliminary salary sheets for the Department of Public Works and Central Business Office were also received from the Personnel Board.
A conference was held with Park Commissioner Terry Driscoll and Park Department Director David Perdios regarding Article 3 of the Special Town Meeting to be held on February 27, 2006. Mr. Driscoll reviewed with the Committee the history of the playing fields off Gile Road and advised that the Park Department would be taking responsibility for the care and maintenance of these fields, not including the High School football field complex. Under Article 3, the Park Commissioners request approval to use $300,000 that Quarry Hills Associates, Inc. paid to the Town to improve existing athletic facilities, including the Middle Field at Milton High School. Mr. Driscoll also discussed with the Committee the Park Commissioners’ plans for various fields and potential sources of additional revenue for
the care of the fields. Following discussion, Secretary Lowney moved and Member Winston seconded the motion to recommend to Town Meeting an appropriation of $300,000 for the purposes of this article. Chair Conlon thanked Park Commissioner Driscoll and Park Department Director Perdios for attending and for their excellent presentation to the Committee.
The Committee discussed Article 2 for the Special Town Meeting, which seeks an appropriation for the Stabilization Fund. The Chair advised the Committee that approximately $270,00 can now be released from the Overlay Reserve and that additional funds may be available for release by February 27. If not, the balance of the $500,000 could be appropriated from Free Cash. In addition, the Committee discussed the Town Administrator’s proposal to transfer $611,822 from the Landfill Escrow Account to the Stabilization Fund and to retain the $100,000 balance of the Landfill Escrow Account for future ground water monitoring. Secretary Lowney moved and Member Biagiotti seconded the motion to recommend this article to the Special Town Meeting with a total appropriation recommendation of
$1,111,822. The Committee voted 12-0-0 to recommend $1,111,822 be appropriated to the Stabilization Fund under Article 2.
A request for a $4,800 Reserve Fund transfer by the Council on Aging to its FY 2006 Transportation appropriation was reviewed by the Committee. During discussion, questions were raised as to where the Council on Aging purchased its gasoline, why the number of trips has increased this year over last year and how the COA calculated its $4,800 request. Subcommittee Chair Mason will contact the Director of the Council on Aging regarding these questions. Member Winston moved and Member Biagiotti seconded the motion to approve one half of the Council on Aging’s request. The Committee voted 13-0-0 to approve a $2,400 Reserve Fund transfer immediately in order to continue the van service provided by the Council on Aging.
The Committee reviewed three bids received for the printing of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant and, following discussion, on motion made by Member Lorraine Dee and seconded by Member Cynthia Winston, voted 13-0-0 to award the bid to J&R Graphics, Inc., Hanover, Massachusetts.
Discussion on Article 1 was deferred to Monday, January 9, 2006 when the School Building Committee expects to have cost estimates for the Colllicot gymnasium. The Committee briefly discussed a potential under the levy limit borrowing for the gym.
Member Mason, the Committee’s representative to the Capital Improvement Planning Committee, reported on recent meetings held by that Committee, including various departments’ submission of requests for Capital items and the formation of a CIPC subcommittee to research the feasibility of the use and renovation of the 1909 wing of the former high school.
The Chair advised that there would be a Finance Group meeting on January 17th and that the Town Administrator had asked her to attend a Department Heads meeting on January 19, 2006 for a preliminary FY 2007 budget discussion.
RESERVE FUND BALANCE: $327,477
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
The next meeting of the Warrant Committee will be on Monday, January 9, 2006
Respectfully submitted,
Carol A. Blute, Senior Administrative Clerk
January 9, 2006
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