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WARRANT COMMITTEE MAY 8, 2008
FORTY-SECOND MEETING
PRESENT: K Conlon, T Hurley, E Innes, B Martin, J O’Connor, S Keel, D Biagiotti, K Chase, O Sanchez, B McLaughlin, L Dee, J Folcarelli, J Pinkus
ABSENT: J Conley, L Walker
Reserve Fund: $ 64,252
School Set-Aside $ 61,626
Reserve Fund Balance: $ 2,626
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm at Milton High School prior to the beginning of the third night of the Annual Town Meeting.
On a motion made by Member Keel and seconded by Member O’Connor, the Committee voted 8-0-2 to approve the minutes of the May 5, 2008 meeting.
On a motion made by Member Innes and seconded by Member Dee, the Committee voted 9-0-4 to approve the minutes of the May 7, 2008 meeting.
Town Accountant David Grab joined the meeting.
The Chair reported on discussions with Senator Brian Joyce’s staff regarding State aid amounts under the House Ways and Means Committee’s draft budget and the Senate’s budget deliberations. As discussed at previous meetings, there is currently a net increase of $73,029 under the latest House budget. The Committee discussed possible uses of the funds for the non-contingent budget, including the Fire and School budgets.
Because additional members of the Committee who were not present on May 6th were in attendance tonight, on a motion made by Member Innes and seconded by Member Keel, the Committee voted 12-0-0 to reconsider its May 6th recommendation on the Selectmen’s motion to amend Article 12. On a motion made by Member Innes and seconded by Member Keel, the Committee voted 12-0-0 to recommend against the Selectmen’s motion to amend Article 12.
At 7:00, the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen joined the meeting to discuss additional funding for the schools. Also present were Town Administrator Kevin Mearn, Assistant Superintendents Mary Gormley and Paul Hilton, Assistant Town Administrator Annemarie Fagan, the Executive Secretary to the Selectmen, Paula Rizzi and Town Meeting Member and Cemetery Trustee Bob Mason. Selectman Fagan stated that both boards are in agreement that the schools need an additional $200,000 for FY09 school services and that if the School Committee obtains an additional $200,000 for the non-contingent budget, the School Committee will not support a contingent budget. She suggested using the additional State money ($73,029) as well as the Reserve Fund for the balance (i.e., $120,000). Also discussed was a
potential borrowing for Firefighter’s Pickens’ FY09 medical expenses. A short discussion among the boards and committees took place. School Committee Chairman Beirne Lovely advised the Warrant Committee that, shortly before this meeting, the School Committee had voted unanimously to recommend the non-contingent budget, if an additional $200,000 could be added to it, and to oppose the contingent budget. The meeting recessed at 7:30 pm so that everyone could attend the Town Meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Monday, May 12th at 6:30 pm at Milton High School.
Reserve Fund: $ 64,252
School Set-Aside $ 61,626
Reserve Fund Balance: $ 2,626
Respectfully submitted,
Helen M. Kiddy
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