Laserfiche WebLink
Finance Committee Minutes <br /> January 22, 1991 <br /> Page 3. <br /> Carl stated that he will have projections of the school populations for <br /> members and he will investigate how the money that is freed up by reductions <br /> will be used. Carl noted that the impact statement is based on a 5.35 million <br /> dollar budget. The statement notes that the school building will be closed at <br /> the end of the school day and people would have to pay to use the facility. <br /> The statement also notes that there will be an increase in the class size <br /> and Carl agreed to find out what the present teacher-pupil ratio is. Finance <br /> Committee members asked Carl to check into exactly what was meant by a <br /> "modified choral and band program" and "enrichment." <br /> Chairman Vaccar-o.-stressed-that the Finance .Committee -needs -to -consider <br /> reducing all budgets in view of a shortfall of $605,578. He suggested asking <br /> the School Committee and the Superintendent for an impact statement of <br /> a school budget reduced $20q OOCQ Vern felt the amount should be more and <br /> suggested $300,000. Members agreed to ask for two impact statements one <br /> for a $200,000 reduction and one for a $300,000 reduction. <br /> Members proceeded with their preliminary budget discussions. Jim <br /> suggested that the salary of the Animal Control budget be cut 20%. This <br /> would make the officer a 4/5 position with a salary of $22,390 and it <br /> would represent a savings of $5,600. Both Carl and Vern expressed their <br /> concerns about this cut and. the needs of the town. Vern noted that when <br /> the officer is not available a police officer has to be dispatched to handle <br /> the situation. It was the Committee's consensus to put the reduction in and <br /> as this is preliminary it could be put back. The new figure for the Animal <br /> Control budget would be $30,615. <br /> Deirdre addressed the Library budget. She noted that circulation of the <br /> library is up and there is`a^ great deal of community input into the library. <br /> 19% of the library budget has to go for books to meet the requirement for <br /> state grants. Reductions will have to be made to salaries and reduced <br /> library hours. Jim suggested' 'that the custodian who works at the library <br /> 2-daps per week be eliminated and his duties absorbed by existing municipal <br /> staff. He stated that perhaps Kevin Harrington could arrange a definite <br /> schedule to assure that the library gets custodial service. Kevin would have <br /> to reallocate the hours of an existing person. Jim expressed his belief that <br /> this was preferable to cutting direct service to town residents. John <br /> said that he would rather see a cut in the hours and have the building properly <br /> maintained in its present conditon. He. further noted that shortened library <br /> hours would make people aware of the impact of the town's financial shortages. <br /> Deirdre stressed that the present custodian also does a great deal of maintenance. <br /> In view of this, Jim suggested that the library be cut $5,000 and the librarian <br /> could decide where the cuts will be made. . Members agreed with this recommendation. <br /> The bottom lane figure for the library budget would be $79,646. <br /> At 8:50 the Finance Committee went into Executive Session. The next meeting <br /> is February 5th at 6:30 p.m. At that meeting Kevin Harrington will go, over <br /> recommendations and the Committee Liaisons will present information on the <br /> DPW budget and the Police budget. <br /> �c ran`l - - '��� <br /> F � <br /> Gail McNabb - <br /> Board Secretary <br />