Meeting of the Lincoln Finance Committee
February 5, 2009
Present: P. Braun, J. Koenig, E. Shorb, L. Sander, R. Steinbrook (chair)
Absent: S. Haber, M. Hartman
Minutes submitted by: R. Steinbrook
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm in Lincoln Town Hall.
The chair reported that the final FY '09 state aid figures show a reduction for Lincoln of $82,000. Because the Town had balanced its budget assuming less state aid, the net effect is a reduction of $34,000. For FY '10, state aid is now projected to decrease by 9.33% as compared to the FY '09 amount before the mid year cut. The Town had assumed a decrease of 10%.
The Minuteman assessment for FY '10 is tentatively $52,592, but this could possibly increase. Two students from Lincoln are projected as of September 2009, as compared to four in the current school year. Minuteman is also seeking permission from the 16 member towns to establish a stabilization fund; no funding is being requested.
Following a discussion of the various factors affecting the FY '10 budget including the decline in investment income that is affecting the Town's trust funds, uncertainties about state aid and the national economic crisis, the committee voted 5-0 to fund the Library level service budget of $835,281.97 but not the preferred budget, which was $2,763.82 more. It also voted 5-0 to fund the Town preferred budget at $22,000 ($10,000 for information technology, $7,000 in restorations the police training budget, $5,000 in restorations to the fire training budget), not $49,400 as requested.
The chair reported on the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School budget. Sudbury has approved a base budget with a 2.1% increase (inclusive of pensions and insurance). A decision about a possible operating override has yet to be made. Lincoln is carrying a 2.5% increase for the high school (exclusive of pensions and insurance, which is equivalent to a 4.5% increase if pensions and insurance are included).
The committee discussed the working group to evaluate the proposal to consolidate the administration of LSRHS and the Sudbury Public Schools. John Koenig agreed to represent the committee on the working group. The committee also discussed the Pierce House and the Comprehensive Long Range Plan Committee.
The minutes of the meeting of January 6, 2009 had been approved at the joint budget workshop on January 13.
The committee next meets on Thursday Feb 26.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 pm.
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