HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-10-14 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting-
October 14, 1998
The Board of Selectmen attended the Budget Council Meeting at the Parker Middle School,
Second Floor, Multi-Purpose Room. The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. The Selectmen were
called to order by Secretary Matt Nestor. Present were Secretary Matt Nestor, Selectmen George
Hines and Camille Anthony (Bruce MacDonald came late), Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner, Town Accountant Richard Foley, Treasurer-Collector Beth Klepeis,
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Harry Harutunian, School Committee Members Roberta
D'Antona, Susan Cavicchi, Mary Willliams, Finance Committee Members Jim Keigley, Carol
Grimm, Richard MacDonald, James Francis, Catherine Martin, Paul Kurker, Board of Library
Trustees Deirdre Hanley, Cherrie Dubois, Maria Silvaggi, Stephen Connor.
Discussion/Action Items
FY 2000FY 2002 Revenue Projections -- Richard Foley reviewed the FY 2000—FY 2002
Revenue Projections.
-- Building Maintenance - Dr. Harutunian reviewed the Building Maintenance options. Questions
surrounding the need for additional supervisory assistance and the need for additional secretarial
assistance. The Town Manager agreed with the Superintendent's proposal. Yet to be resolved is
the issue of where the building maintenance function should reside — School Department with a
level of protection that all moneys budgeted for building maintenance would be spent only for
that purpose; or approved as a line item on the Town Budget.
FY 1999 Budget Modifications - The Town Manager reviewed the FY 1999 Budget
Modifications. Because of additional revenues, approximately $274,000 in surplus revenues is
available. $42,000 of that would be used for building maintenance, and $85,000 would be
reserved for additions to Free Cash -- that leaves $148,000 that the School Department would
like to use for restoring the "20% per pupil hold back."
Capital Plan — The Town Manager reviewed the history of the Capital Plan and the need to
maintain the focus on capital improvements. Russ Graham from the School Building Committee
reviewed options for dealing with the elementary enrollment issue. This needs to be dealt with
probably at a Special Town Meeting late November or early December. Three options are being
explored, the most expensive of which is a$21 million option.
The Town Manager expressed concern not only for the capital costs of any such project but also
for the operating costs. He noted that we will have 10-20 more classrooms than we have now,
assuming that the portable classrooms buildings will be eliminated when the new construction
takes place. Staffing a new school with administrative staff, plus additional teachers, will be
expensive and given the problems in balancing the FY 99 budget, this will be extremely difficult
`- and may require Prop 2 % override in order to achieve it.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 14 1998—Paye 2
At this time, the Budget Council Meeting dissolved. The Board of Selectmen stayed in session
to discuss their recommendations relative to the building maintenance.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen approved the concept of
increasing the building maintenance budget by$42,000 this fiscal year, and implementing a three
and one-half year plan to fully staff building maintenance as presented, with the condition that
the necessary guarantees be put into place which will ensure that moneys that are budgeted for
building maintenance are inviolate and cannot be used for any other purpose other than building
maintenance. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen adjourned their meeting of
October 14, 1998 by a vote of 4-0-0.
Resp ec ully submitted,
retary
,II