Minutes - Oct.10, 2002
Finance Committee
Present: Susan Brooks, Mary Cancian, Paul Giese, Al Schmerzler, Pat Phillips, John Robinson, Robert Steinbrook.
Susan and Paul updated the Committee on the Board of Selectmen's preparations for the Oct 19 State of the Town (SOTT) meeting, including the FinCom's submission to the townwide mailer sent out earlier this week. It was suggested that the FinCom presentation at the meeting should be short and specific with less detail than the written document. Susan and Paul will prepare and Susan will present at the meeting.
The three budget review meetings were discussed and it was agreed not to standardize the format or questions. Robert and Susan will work with Mickey Brandmeyer and Sue Hollingsworth on presentation format for the Dec.12th K-8 budget review. Paul and Susan are working with Tim Higgins in preparation for the Nov 18 review of the town-side budget requests and Pat, Susan and Paul are working with the LSRHS Joint Budget Sub-Committee (JBSC) re their budget presentation on January 9.
Liaison Reports
FY 04 Budget Communication: Mary presented a draft of the first (of six proposed) FinCom article to describe the budgeting process to the Town. This first article covers the Budgeting Process and Calendar and will be submitted to the Lincoln Journal ASAP in the names of the full committee. We decided to skip the communications logo for this year.
LSRHS: Pat, Paul and Susan reported on the LS Joint budget sub-committee (LSJS) just formed to coordinate the two Finance Committees' approaches to LSRHS budget preparation. The first meeting was positive and useful and the group will continue to meet monthly. The joint meeting of both FinComs and the LS School Committee will be Oct. 22.
MMA: A statewide meeting of the Association of Town Finance Committees (ATFC) is scheduled for Nov. 16th at Holy Cross College, Worcester. Susan, Paul and Al expressed an interest in going and all three may do so.
Capital Planning: Al reported that the Capital Planning Committee (CPC) may not use its entire $400K allocation for FY04. At the present time, justified requests amounted to only $280K, including 3 police cruisers. An expensive new type of fire engine ($600) wouldn't be decided until FY05. And the next phase of the Pentamation conversion ($270K) cannot not be executed for a year or two. The major options are: a) use the surplus for depleted operating budgets in 04; b) establish a Stabilization Fund for larger than normal Capital budgets in following years; and c) move-up estimated future capital requirements to 04 as possible. Decisions deferred for more analysis by/with CPC.
K-8 TF: Pat reported that Task Force questionnaire responses now total 8, affording them enough information for a reasonable if not conclusive report in late November.
Property Tax Relief: John reported that the town which had passed a Tax Deferral program was Wayland. Tax Relief in Lincoln seemed stalled and it was uncertain if the Board of Selectmen would pick up the ball or whether FinCom should (or could) do anything further.
The meeting was adjourned. The next FinCom meeting will be Oct. 22nd, just before the joint meeting with LS School Committee.
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