Third Night | Town Meeting

We're in the usual place -- Battin Hall of Cary Memorial Building (1605 Mass Av)
James Malloy, Town Manager (TMgr) has forwarded changes to The Brown Book since printing; they may be found HERE
All Open Money Articles, Debt Schedule, HERE
Schedule of Articles anticipated tonight is HERE

Town Moderator (TMod) has gaveled the Call to Order.

MOTION presented by the School Committee to Reconsider Article 39. TMod states we will take up reconsideration next week.

Article 2 is now open; the Article remains open throughout TM, to receive reports from Officials, Boards, and Committee

Article 2: Report of the Appropriation Committee (AC)
The Report is received and placed on file
Glenn Parker with brief remarks about the AC Report

Article 2: Report of the Superintendent of the Minuteman Regional High School
The report is received and placed on file
Being presented by Kevin Mahoney, Assistant Superintendent - Finance
Presentation HERE 

Article 2: Report of the Lexington School Superintendent
The report is received and placed on file
Superintendent Dr. Julie Hackett's presentation is HERE

The Meeting is now open on Article 11: Appropriate FY2020 Operating Budget
MOTION is HERE
TMod will go through each line and will take questions from Town Meeting Members. Vote will be taken at the end.
Select Board (SB): Unanimously supports
School Committee (SC): Unanimously supports
AC: Unanimously supports
Question/TMMP6: on Education, LPS and Minuteman. LPS Health insurance: is this a one-time increase?
TMgr: Brown Book has been updated, amount has been reduced; every year there are new employees who start working here, that number is based on our estimated number of new employees
TMM/P6: Can you report on the number of METCO students enrolled relative to the space
LPS: 215 METCO students in the system, looking at a potential 25 more students.
Q for MM School from TMM/P6: 1). Operating cost/pupil?
MM: $32,000
2). More students to drive down costs?
MM: Students decide if they wish to attend.
3). Facilities for swim team at LPS -- when will it be demolished?
MM: Building demo will begin August 1; running modest use of pool in July.
Q from TMM/P4: Rough outline of how allocations are made relative to split?
TMgr: 73% for schools, 26% for municipal
Time to Vote:
YES: 167
NO: 0
ABSTAIN: 1
MOTION is UNANIMOUS, as it carries more than the 2/3 required
TMod turns gavel over to Deputy Moderator (DMod), Barry Orenstein

Article 19: Appropriate for School Capital Projects
MOTION is HERE

Dr. Julie Hackett with the presentation

Presentation is HERE
SB: Unanimously supports

Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC): Unaimously supports (S/O for the 5-year plan)
AC: Unanimously supports
SC: Unanimously supports
Q from TMM/P6: Fully supports. How are we disposing of or recycling these after their useful life?
LPS: Using zero landfill; recycling
TMM/P6: Donating?
LPS: Yes!
Q from TMM/P8: Do we Bring Your Own Device at school? Many students have their own, have the schools considered this?
LPS: We have had this conversation; BYOD for seniors and juniors may opt out if they so choose. Goal is to create equitable systems for "ease of use" for teachers and students.
TMM/P8: Will BYOD be phased out?
LPS: That is the current thinking
Time to VOTE on the MOTION
YES: 161
NO: 1
ABSTAIN: 2
MOTION CARRIES by more than the 2/3 required

Article 5: Establish Qualifications for Tax Deferrals
MOTION is HERE

Vicki Blier (VB), TMM/P9 with a brief presentation
SB: Unanimously supports
AC: Unanimously supports
Q from TMM/P: Very much in favor. Do we have any idea of the percentage of people applying?
VB: It's difficult to know; we do know that 477 seniors qualified for the State Circuit Breaker
Q from TMM/P: What can the Town do to publicize?
VB: The actual tax bill did have something included with it to describe the program. Item included in newsletters, newspaper. Conversations at Community Center, other times, places.
Q from TMM/P3: What is the rationale for $75,000?
VB: We started at the State Limit of $40,000 and have been notching it up.
Q from TMM/P2: What is the interest rate?
Pat Costello: Approximately 1.96% currently; 2.55% in 2020
Q from TMM/P4: Do more people actually apply for the tax deferral?
VB: We've had steady increase
YESmic: TMM/P6
VOTE on the MOTION (simple majority):
YES: 164
NO: 0
ABSTAIN: 1
MOTION PASSES

Returning the gavel to TMod

Article 10: Post Employment Insurance Liability Fund
SB Chair Barry recuses herself
MOTION is HERE

SB: Supports 4-0 (1 recusal)
AC: Unanimously supports
Q from TMM/P4: Where are we WRT meeting our full funding for Pension?
Town Of Lexington (ToL): On target to be fully funded by 2024
Q from TMM/P3: How are we doing compared to other towns?
ToL: Many other Towns have not funded its Pension, some are ahead of us, they are the minority
VOTE on the MOTION
YES: 147
NO: 4
ABSTAIN: 3
MOTION CARRIES

Article 12: FY20 Enterprise Funds Budgets

MOTION is HERE

SB: Unanimously supports

AC: Unanimously supports

Seeing no questions

VOTE on MOTION:

YES: 154

NO: 0

ABSTAIN: 1

MOTION PASSES

TMod passes gavel to DMod

Article 13: Departmental Revolving Funds

MOTION is HERE

For occasional peer review of water management systems

SB: Unanimously supports

AC: Unanimously supports

Q from TMM/P7: Who can invoke the process? Is it mandatory once requested?

ToL: Not necessarily applies to every building application, but where the Building Commissioner recommends referral for peer review

TMM/P7: Are there no guidelines?

ToL: Because there are no standards, and the Building Commissioner is not a Civil Engineer, which is why we need a Civil Engineer

TMM/P7: Is there an appeal process? 

ToL: Not unless there is a Civil Engineer in the roles

TMMP7: Is there a waiver?

ToL: There is no waiver process

TMM/P7: Subjective, can't support

TMM/P1: By what authority is there for charging this fee?

Town Counsel: MGL, Ch. 53G accounts

TMM/P1: Does it cover imposing a fee for the town to hire?

Town Counsel: Yes

YESmic: TMM/P9

Q from TMM/P3: How many homes have been affected? Average amount?

ToL: Have had, last year, 71 homes torn down, not all required, but each one has had to be

looked at. 8 reviews per month maximum, 4 hours per review, $150/hour

No further Questions

VOTE the MOTION:

YES: 149

NO: 4

ABSTAIN: 2

MOTION CARRIES

DMod to TMod

Consent Agenda: (For Articles 14c, 14l, 14m, 16a, 16d, 16g, 16j, 16k, 16l, 18, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20f, 21, 23, 24,25,27)
MOTIONS are HERE
SB: Asks to have Article 27 removed (it will not be taken up tonight)
Q from TMM/P3: For sidewalks not included in Center Streetscape?
ToL: Annual item, not part of Center Streetscape
TMM/P3: Same material?
ToL: Regular sidewalk repair, so in-kind repairs--if asphalt, asphalt; concrete, concrete
TMM/P6: Center Streetscape project is substantial cost, please separate 16g
TMM/P3: 16 j, k, l -- where is the work to be done?
ToL: They are done at existing signals throughout town. Off of Lowell Street is one area. Street improvements are townwide -- update website, mailings to abutters (15 miles each year). Map is put on the website each year
TMM/P3: Walnut Street on the list?
ToL: have to take a look to see if it is on the list this year
TMM/P3: I don't live there, but is one of the narrower roads, many potholes, was hoping, yes
Seeing no questions
VOTE on CONSENT AGENDA (Not on the items asked to be pulled out):

YES: 150
NO: 0
ABSTAIN: 1
MOTION CARRIES

There is time permitting, TMod asks for a MOTION for TM to take up Articles scheduled for 
Wednesday, April 3; SB Chair Barry with the MOTION; TM approves:
Article 17: Appropriate for Water System ImprovementsMOTION is HERE

SB: Unanimously supports

AC: Unanimously supports

CEC: Unanimously supports

Apologies for missing the questions from TMM/P3!

Q from another TMM/P3: Given the discussion last year, can you tell us the inspection process that goes into the 100-lifeyear cycle of water mains?

ToL: Water system is under pressure, inspections are much more difficult to investigate.

Seeing no further Questions, VOTE on MOTION (requires 2/3 majority):

YES: 146

NO: 0

ABSTAIN: 1

MOTION is UNANIMOUS

Article 22: Establish, Dissolve, and Appropriate to and from Specified Stabilization Funds

MOTION is HERE

Requires 2/3 Majority

SB: Unanimously supports

CEC: on parts a and b--unanimously supports

AC: Unanimously supports

Seeing no questions

VOTE on MOTION

YES: 143

NO: 0

ABSTAIN: 1

MOTION CARRIES

Article 26: Amend FY19 Operating, Enterprise, and CPA Budgets

MOTION is HERE

AC: 5-0 in favor (just took their vote with the members remaining at the table)

SB: Unanimously supports

VOTE on the MOTION

YES: 141

NO: 0

ABSTAIN: 1

MOTION CARRIES

No further business tonight
We meet again Wednesday, April 3 at 7:30 PM
Until then—we are adjourned
10:11 PM

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Image credit: James Malloy, Town Manager introduces Senior Management Staff to Town Meeting on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 ~ mas

Articles Anticipated Tonight

Tonight will be our third session of the 2019 Annual Town Meeting, starting at 7:30 PM in Battin Hall. The anticipated schedule of Articles has been forwarded by the Town Moderator as follows:

• Article 2: Report of the Appropriation Committee 

• DATE CERTAIN: Article 2—Report of the Minuteman School Superintendent 

• Article 2: Report of the Lexington School Superintendent 

• DATE CERTAIN: Article 11—FY20 Operating Budget 

• Article 19: Appropriate for School Capital Projects 

• Article 5: Establish Qualifications for Tax Deferrals

• Article 10: Post Employment Insurance Liability Fund

• Article 12: FY20 Enterprise Funds Budgets

• Article 13: Departmental Revolving Funds

• Consent Agenda (For Articles 14c, 14l, 14m, 16a, 16d, 16g, 16j, 16k, 16l, 18, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20f, 21, 23, 24,25,27). Consent Agenda MOTIONS are HERE

• Any Unfinished Business from Previous Nights

• Time Permitting, begin Articles scheduled for Wednesday, April 3:
• Town Meeting Member Memorial—Kay Tiffany
• Article 4: Reduce Community Preservation Act Surcharge Rate
• Article 15: Recreation Capital Projects
• Article 16: Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment
• Article 17: Water System Improvements
• Article 20: Public Facilities Capital Projects (except 20g)
• Article 22: Specified Stabilization Funds
• Article 26: Amend FY19 Operating, Enterprise and CPA Budgets

Live-blogging from the floor commences once we are gaveled to order. Tweeting, too, @MAStewartMA using #LexMApoli.

Prepping for Town Meeting

Town Meeting Members Association (TMMA) will host two Information Sessions and a Bus Tour before TM begins*.

Info Sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, March 13 and Tuesday, March 19.

Both sessions will be held in Margery Milne Battin Hall of the Isaac Harris Cary Memorial Building ^ (1605 Massachusetts Avenue). Thus, they're public meetings. Warrant Articles below will be presented and staff available to take TMM questions. 

The Wednesday Session (3/13) is expected to begin at 7:45 PM, following Precinct Meetings at 6:45 PM and TMMA Annual Meeting at 7:15 PM. Articles to be covered include:

• Financial Articles:
• Article 6 (Crematorium, Citizen Article)
• Article 14 (CPA projects)
• Article 16e (Center Streetscape)
• Article 16f (Automatic Meters)
• Article 20g (Cemetery)

• General Articles:
• Article 30 (Styrene Ban, Citizen Article) 
• Article 31 (Straws Ban, Citizen Article)

Tuesday's (3/19) Info Session begins at 7:30 PM:

• Financial Articles: 
• Article 4 (CPA Rate, Citizen Article)
• Article 7 (EconDev Strategy, Citizen Article)
• Article 8 (Sustainability Revolving Fund, Citizen Article)
• Article 9 (Appropriate for Sustainability Director, Citizen Article)
• Article 11 (Operating Budget—with James Malloy, Town Manager and Dr. Julie Hackett, Superintendent of Lexington Public Schools)

• General Articles:
• Article 35 (Amend Town Code, Citizen Article)
• Article 36 (High-Performance Buildings, Citizen Article)

• Zoning Articles:
• Article 38 (186 Bedford Street, Owner Petition)
• Article 39 (Limited Site Plan, Citizen Article)

In addition to the Info Sessions, a Bus Tour has been scheduled for Sunday, March 17 at 1:00 PM. This is an opportunity for TMMs to visit several sites of note.

• Scheduled stops include:
• 186 Bedford Street (Article 38: Amend Zoning Bylaw and Zoning Map, top of page 16 of the Warrant)

• 201 Bedford Street, DPW equipment replacement (Article 16(i): Appropriate for Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment, page 9 of the Warrant; page XI-16 of FY2020 Town Managers Preliminary Recommended Budget and Financing Plan) 

• 758 Marrett Road (a drive through), Athletic Field Complex of Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School (Article 14(f) Appropriate the FY20 Community Preservation Committee Operating Budget and CPA Projects, top of page 9 of the Warrant)

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* Town Meeting begins Monday, March 25 and continues every Wednesday and Monday thereafter, excluding Monday, April 15 and Wednesday, April 17, due to public school vacation week.

^ Cary Hall is wired for broadcast on LexMedia. 

You'll find an Acronyms page HERE.

Article 4 – FY19 Operating Budget

ARTICLE 4 – APPROPRIATE FY2019 OPERATING BUDGET To see if the Town will vote to make appropriations for expenditures by departments, officers, boards and committees of the Town for the ensuing fiscal year and determine whether the money shall be provided by the tax levy, by transfer from available funds, by transfer from enterprise funds, or by any combination of these methods; or act in any other manner in relation thereto. (Inserted by the Board of Selectmen)

The most recent version of the FY19 Budget Proposal, and more, is HERE

MOTION, in full, HERE.

Recommendations
Board of Selectmen (BoS): Unanimous Support
School Committee (SC): Unanimous Support
Appropriation Committee (AC): Unanimous Support

Program 1000: Education
Question fromTMM/P9: Whose decision to raise School Bus fee?
A; SC decision to raise the bus fee $30
Q: Why collaborative process abandoned?
A: We felt it was in the SC authority to do so

Program 2000: Shared Expenses
Q from TMM/P2: Divestment on our retirement funds?
A: (Chair of Retirement Board) Since 2 years ago, we review holdings, have reduced to 4.5% of our total holdings, on our way to full divestment.

No final questions

Time to Vote -- 2/3 majority
Yes: 170
No:1
Abstain: 1
MOTION is APPROVED

Article 4: FY2017 Operating Budget (Schools)

Reports of Appropriation Committee, School Committee are received and placed on file.

FY17 School budget is $97,293,299 - a 5.68% increase from last year and $17,496 per pupil expenditure. Input from numerous stakeholders. Superintendent Dr.Mary Czajkowski thanks leadership team: School Committee members, CO administration, and Ian Daley in Finance & Business.

Key theme of this budget: ensuring on-going program excellence in light of continued growth. Four district goals used in development of this budget:

1. Contract Obligations (including COLA)
2. Legal Mandates (Special Education, transportation)
3. Enrollment Increases
4. Program Improvements (excellence, addition of elementary foreigh language

Lexington ranks 6th in 11 like communities* (#1, Weston's per pupil is $21,6521)

Salary & Wages = $81,785,398; expenses = $15,507,901 which represents 5.68% increase over FY16

Minuteman Career Technical Regional High School Superintendent Ed Bouquillon presented a budget of $19,728,097.

Lexington's contribution is $1,377,449

$115,000 is Minuteman Career Technical Regional High School transportation expense

A Town Meeting Member asks superintendent how percentage increases are based. Answer: Bureau of Labor & Statistics

Director of Special Education Ellen Sugita addressing questions from a Town Meeting Member about LABBB Collaborative Program.

Q about Shared Expenses: wants to know breakdown of Municipal, School, Retirees.

MOTION to Appropriate FY2017 Operating Budget (Schools) PASSES by more than the necessary two-thirds (156=YES; 1=NO; 3=Abstain)

Town Manager’s Recommended Budget and Financing Plan

Brown Book & Budget Docs

Appropriation Committee Reports

Article Motions

2016 Town Warrant

*The eleven like communities: Acton-Boxborough, Belmont, Brookline, Concord-Carlise, Lexington, Lincoln-Sudbury, Newton, Wellesley, Weston, Westwood, Winchester

ATM continues at LHS tonight, 7:15

Town Meeting will convene tonight in the auditorium of Lexington High School, 251 Waltham Street. We'll begin at 7:15 for the annual ceremony honoring LHS and Minuteman High School seniors, then take up the financial articles, beginning with Article 4: Appropriate FY2017 Operating Budget (Article Motions, pp.2-4).

While the Town’s FY2017 operating budget has many complexities, please note:

The budget process begins with the Selectmen's Goal Setting in June. In developing the annual operating budget, the Board of Selectmen continued to adhere to the following principles in order to preserve the Town’s long-term financial condition:

1. Continue to set aside funds into the Capital Stabilization Fund as part of the comprehensive long-term strategy for funding critical school and municipal projects.

2. Core services currently provided through the operating and capital budgets should be maintained, recognizing that changes in service demands may require that additional resources be provided in certain areas.

3. Resources should continue to be provided for road, intersection, traffic calming and sidewalk improvements and to address deferred maintenance in these assets.

4. Recurring revenues, not reserves or one-time revenues, should support operating expenses and debt service.

5. Debt will not be used to fund current operating expenditures.

6. Adequate reserves and contingency funds will be budgeted, consistent with the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Financial Policy Committee (2006) as adopted by the Board of Selectmen.

7. The use of reserves to fund operating expenses should be limited to cover temporary revenue shortfalls, consistent with the recommendations of the Selectmen’s Ad Hoc Fiscal Task Force (2009).

8. Sufficient funds for building maintenance will be budgeted to properly maintain facilities and equipment as well as foster energy conservation.

9. One-time revenue use should be limited to funding one-time expenses (e.g., capital projects) or used to fund reserve accounts.

10.Continue to provide funding for the post-employment benefits liability (OPEB)

Also, note information about this year's Revenue Allocation Model:

It has been the Selectmen’s practice to equitably share Town revenues between the municipal departments and the School Department. Based on a model developed by the Town Manager and Superintendent of Schools and accepted by the Board of Selectmen, School Committee and financial committees, projected revenues are allocated, on a preliminary basis, such that after shared expenses are funded, 73.3 percent of all projected FY2017 general fund revenues were allocated to the School Department and 26.7 percent were allocated to municipal departments.

More information may be found in the following documents and reports:

Town Manager's Recommended Budget and Financing Plan

Brown Book & Budget Docs

Appropriation Committee Reports

Article Motions

2016 Town Warrant