HomeMy Public PortalAbout20100224 - Appropriations Committee - Meeting MinutesTown ofHopkinton Appropriation Committee (AC)
Minutes ofMeeting on Wednesday, February 24,2010
Room 211, Town Hall, Hopkinton, Massachusetts
RECEIVED
TOWN OF HOP1UNTQN
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In attendance: ••-It A .,,
Norman Khumalo"" It.Ul<-S IfFICEStuart Cowart
Mary Lou Haroian
Joe Kamer
At 7:05 pm Acting Chairman Stuart Cowart called the meeting to order.
Norman notified the AC that the Selectmen would be hosting a joint meeting ofthe Board of
Selectmen, the School Committee and the Appropriation Committee next Monday evening, March
1st, at 6:30 pm.
Norman briefly reviewed the overall budget for the town and noted some changes he'd made to the
budget since our last meeting. None ofthe changes affected the bottom line, but were merely
changes in individual line items within the budget.
It was noted that the increase in overall expenditures in the budget is the result of increases in fixed
costs such as general insurance, health insurance, life insurance, FICA, and pension contributions.
Norman reaffirmed his plans to use free cash in any given year to fund pay-as-you go capital items
and increases in the town's stabilization fund.
In response to questions by the AC concerning school department collective bargaining
negotiations, Norman indicated that effective tomorrow, he will become part ofthe negotiating
committee.
Norman was questioned about any fiscal impacts of the pending purchase ofthe library by the town,
and he indicated that there are no anticipated impacts of the purchase, as the trustees ofthe library
would continue to pay for all 0 f the items that they have paid for in the past.
Discussion ensued about the $20,000 increase in the Reserve Fund, from $55K in 2010 to $75K in
2011. Norman justified this increase by noting that there is much less "wiggle room" in the fiscal
year 2011 budget than has existed in prior years, and he felt it prudent to provide for some
mechanism to pay for unexpected expenses in fiscal year 2011. Since the AC has final say over if
and when this money is used, Norman felt it was a reasonable way to address this uncertainty.
The Committee requested that Norman determine how much money is necessary to fund the current
long-term debt obligations ofthe Community Preservation Association (CPA), and what CPA tax
percentage this necessitates. Norman will have this information available for the Selectmen's
meeting on Monday.
Stuart requested that Norman determine and present a very clear picture of the tax impacts ofthe
fiscal year 2011 budget on the citizens ofHopkinton at the meeting with the Selectmen next week.
Joe moved and Mary Lou seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 pm.