That done, the meeting proceeded in this year’s quickened pace.
Paul Schlichtman of Precinct 9 and School Committee chair asked for seven minutes so the fiscal 2016 school budget of $59,387,766 could be discussed. The meeting allowed four minutes.
Superintendent Kathleen Bodie stayed within the limit and hit the high points, emphasizing the planned Stratton renovation and the enrollment increase of 450, which amounts to the size of another elementary school. Arlington has seven. Read the school’s budgte report here >>
Alan Reedy of Precinct 16, a member of the Permanent Town Building Committee, presented that panel’s report, and you can read it here >>
The focuses are the revamp of the historic Central Fire Station (“on track to finish in two months”), the next phase in the seemingly never-ending work on Community Safety Building (“the bids were received today”) and the Stratton renovation.
Then, for the next hour, the orderly work of the meeting was tested, as discussion of who should be the appointing authorities for the committee that will handle Community Preservation Act funds twisted and turned.
The various amendments, first introduced later on April 27, reflected a measure of distrust in elected officials as well as a fear that “the usual suspects” (which can shift, depending on one’s viewpoint) might end up doing the appointing.
To describe how all of this played out and resulted in the final vote establishing the committee, I urge the public to read Precinct 4 member Wes Beal, who provides excellent description of this process on his blog >>
The public should know that John Deyst (Precinct 13), John Worden (8) and Bill Hayner (2) had offered amendments April 27, all of which were withdrawn in favor of a new one by Hayner, seeking five appointees. Brian Rehrig (8) supported the selectmen’s main motion, calling for three appointees, and Sean Harrington (15) sought six-year term limits.
In the end, the meeting voted in favor of the selectmen’s main motion.
A comment by Ted Peluso of Precinct 6 is germane here: “Let’s trust the people we elected. That’s what democracy is all about.”
Following the break, the meeting moved along again.
Under Article 24, the capital budget of $18,221,206, presented by Charles Foskett (8), capital planning chairman, was adopted following a variety of questions from eight members.
For example, David Watkins (5) wanted to know why an account-receivables software package was budgeted at $235,000. Town Treasurer Steve Gilligan called it a “bargain” in view of the $1.2 billion it will handle. He said the current system, ICF, was “not user-friendly” and “not broken,” but after 20 years, it had outlived its usefulness.
Read the capital planning report here >>
Also adopted were articles 25 (rescind borrowing), 26 (water/sewer appropriation) and 27 (water-main appropriation).
The meeting ended for the evening just after the presentation of Article 7, a citizen article from Christian Klein (10) that would try to regulate the posting of signs.
In addition that article, the meeting plans to discuss the Minuteman budget on Monday, May 4. Other articles postponed April 29 were 12 through 23 and 25.
This summary, which includes opinion, was published Thursday, April 30, 2015, and updated May 4, to add a link to the schools’ budget report.
