Board of Aldermen

FY2008 Budgetary Hearings

Thursday, 10 May 2007

Appropriations Committee

Chairman Chairman Brodeur, Tramontozzi, Boisselle, Buonopane, Conn, Forbes, Heavey, Infurna, Seaboyer, Wright, Mortimer

In attendance: Beebe Estate Trustee James McArdle; Superintendent of Schools Joe Casey, School Business Manager Greg Zammuto

Appropriations called to order by Chairman Brodeur at 8:10 p.m.

Mr. McArdle says the budget for the Beebe Estate has been level funded for the past three or four years.  The budget tells you that the bottom-line is roughly $12,800.  Looking at the year-to-date expenditures some line-items have extended the budget and some have not.  The electric and gas line-items appear not to have been fully expended but those bills are due.  The custodial expenditure will also bump up close to the actual budget.

Alderman Infurna thanks Mr. McArdle and the Board of Trustees for the service and asks him to tell the Board about the activities at the Estate.

Mr. McArdle says there is a reception on the first Friday of every month for the featured Artist of the Month.  The Beebe Estate Association works with the Friends of the Beebe Estate.  The Trustees are appointed by the Mayor to take care of the City's interests.

Alderman Seaboyer says the Estate generates rental fees and asks if the Trustees are looking to expand.  Mr. McArdle says it is generally self-sufficient from the art sales and auctions, but the City has made a commitment to pay for the bare essentials so that the Council on Aging can be housed there.  The cost to paint the exterior of the building was paid by the trust fund and not the City.

Alderman Conn asks how donations may be made.  Mr. McArdle says the trust fund is overseen by the City.  People interested may make a donation to the Beebe Estate Association.

Alderman Wright asks what summer events are planned.  Mr. McArdle says there will be three music events in the garden and several small weddings.  The Trustees do not publicize who is renting the facility.  Alderman Wright asks about landscaping.  Mr. McArdle says the City mows but the Trustees hires a landscape gardener to maintain the garden.  Alderman Wright thanks the Trustees and the Friends as the Ward 3 Alderman.

Alderman Buonopane motions to move the bottom line of $12,791.00,  2^nd by Alderman Boisselle.  All in favor.

Superintendent Casey says the budget before them is level serviced.  There are increases in contractual issues, fuel and plant costs but the service will be the same.  He is looking forward to the new Middle School, which will impact this budget.  It is coming in under budget and on time, and will be available to move in at the end of July.  There are changes in administration and programming but the long and short of it is the Melrose public school system is on track. There were 39 students inducted into the National Honor Society last evening.  Exchange programs are offered as well volunteer opportunities with Habitat for Humanity.  Melrose students are committed and focused.  He appreciates Melrose taxpayers for their continued support.

Alderman Conn says the school budget is different than all the others considered by the Board of Aldermen.  The School Committee does all the work and the Aldermen do not review it line by line.   He says he is concerned that department heads are saying their budgets are level funded because there are increases.  He is glad to hear Superintendent Casey say this is level serviced.  Alderman Conn asks if the METCO program covers all transportation costs.  Mr. Zammuto says yes, and $207,000 covers the teaching staff.  The School Department receives a $634,000 METCO grant.  Alderman Conn says it is most disturbing that there is a decrease of over 17% in allocation for textbooks.  Superintendent Casey says there are uncontrolled costs, most notably in SPED, that placed them in a $500,000 deficit.  Alderman Conn says two positions are eliminated and asks if they are non-teaching positions.  Superintendent Casey says one is the elementary library media specialist whom has worked in all of the elementary schools.  The LMS was able to work with parent volunteers and cull the book collection to keep it current.  Unfortunately cuts had to be made.  The other position is Hall Monitor at the high school.  The number has been cut to three.

Ms. Thorp says that last year there was a substantial math series textbook expense for all elementary grades.

Alderman Boisselle says a level serviced budget is impressive but there are some new programs that were snuck in.  Superintendent Casey says they are fairly revenue-neutral.  SPED was looked at quite closely.  Robert McArdle was brought in to look at Melrose and found that the schools were using an aide program to help students become successful.  The decision was made to trade the aides for programs with specialists that target the needs of the students.  Programs include a life skills program, a language based disability program at the Middle School, the alternative education program will be expanded to include both the Middle School and the High School, and a therapeutic component will be added to the alternative education programs.  More and more students are coming in with autism and an autism class will be started at the elementary level and will be located at the Roosevelt School.  If the City cannot provide a quality education for these students, the cost to send them out of district is $100,000 each.  Melrose currently has five autistic students.  New programs are being added that will allow students to be successful by retasking available funds.  The programs will be built as revenue neutral.

Alderman Boisselle asks if the Building Maintenance line-item is budgeted at $5000 for each school building.  Mr. Zammuto says there were larger repairs done this year.  The bid for the maintenance contract came back better than expected and a preventive maintenance program is being implemented.  Alderman Boisselle says the costs of water and sewer are high but the budget is less.  Mr. Zammuto says the Middle School levels are unknown but that the environmentally friendly components should help.  Alderman Boisselle asks about the Middle School's solar panels impact on utility costs.  Superintendent Casey says he anticipates a savings but electric bills have had a big bump.

Alderman Buonopane appreciates that the Middle School is coming in on time and under budget and asks if there are any revenue prospects from the Beebe or Franklin Schools.  Superintendent Casey says the YMCA is looking at the Beebe for an after school program and the North Suburban Family Network will continue at the Franklin.  He says if he knew for certain that the two schools would be moving into the new Middle School in two months he would be aggressively seeking renters.  Last year the spring rains made everything take a step back.  Alderman Buonopane says the YMCA after school program at the Horace Mann is very successful and asks if there is a possibility of expanding it.  Superintendent Casey says that will be looked at next year.  Mr. Zammuto says the YMCA rents space at two schools for after school programs: the Horace Mann and the Roosevelt.

Alderman Forbes asks why Instructor Supplies has increased and Instructor Materials has decreased.  Mr. Zammuto says he changed how things are categorized to better line up with the state.  Alderman Forbes asks about renting the Ripley School.  Superintendent Casey says if he were to seek outside renters, the Ripley may be more attractive due to its size.

Alderman Buonopane asks if the maintenance is performed by an in-house plumber and electrician.  Mr. Zammuto says the cost effectiveness of sharing the positions with the City is being reviewed but currently the School Department has an in-house plumber and a plumbing contractor for emergencies.

Alderman Seaboyer asks if it is expected again this year to receive $1 million from the state and $1 million from the government in grants as it has the last couple of years.  Superintendent Casey says grant money has fallen off the board since 2002.  Title One grant money has fallen off between 10% and 15% over the last couple of years.  The DOE is releasing grants now for 2007 for $1.47 million in federal money and $973,000 in state money.  He hopes to receive the same amount next year although he has been told to look for a minor cut in Title One monies.

Alderman Forbes says the Hoover School principal's salary is budgeted at $77,500.  He says the school is losing a great guy and asks when the new person will be coming in.  Superintendent Casey says he met with the Hoover School Principal Search Committee this evening.  There are 26 candidates the committee will screen and select who they wish to interview.

Alderman Buonopane motions to move the bottom line of $22,945,000.00, 2^nd by Alderman Boisselle.

Chairman Brodeur thanks the Middle School staff for shuttling around the City for the past two years.  Regarding the paraprofessional situation, one concern he has is that in restructuring the system they may be pulling out a generalist and teachers in the elementary grade levels will be facing a larger class size without help.  Superintendent Casey says he is working with the School Committee to set class size between 22 and 25 students.  To staff members and parents that are concerned, it depends on the makeup of the class, the skill level of the class, and the experience of the teacher.  If a class needs an extra aide it will get one.  As classes are built it will become clear how classes will work.  All teachers have a say in how classes are built.  There is real conversation going on about skill sets and the strengths of students.  There is a small percentage of aides being cut back.  Having an aide in the class is based on need.  Chairman Brodeur asks how support services are distributed. Superintendent Casey says he works with Health Education Services.  If there are issues at home free counseling is available.  The school psychiatrist looks at some of the issues as well.  Chairman Brodeur says a teacher trained in differentiated learning may leverage down the need for paraprofessionals.  Superintendent Casey says he has spoken with Stoneham about the possibility of having an inter-district support network in differentiated training.  There are currently 20 Melrose teachers enrolled.  There is not enough money to offer training for all staff but by working with Stoneham and Wakefield teacher training can be offered.  Chairman Brodeur asks where additional resources of $20,000 may be used if the Board of Aldermen could find a way to supplement the budget.  Superintendent Casey says the School Committee had to cut back the Library Media Specialist position and other positions that are important.  One third grade class is a little larger than preferred.  The budget is not about who gets the money; any money the Board of Aldermen could give would give the School Committee the opportunity for open debate about how it could be used.

Ms. Thorp says $20,000 is huge and would have a huge impact.

On the motion to recommend, one opposed (Infurna).

Alderman Boisselle motions to appropriate $25,000 to the Library Department Salary and Wages, 2^nd by Alderman Seaboyer.

Chairman Brodeur says the Board may request the Mayor to appropriate that cut to the Library budget.

Alderman Conn says he would point out that the Board of Aldermen does not have the authority over what can be added back into any account.  The Board can only state its opinion.

Alderman Wright says he would like to reiterate what has been said previously.  It has been a long time since the Library has had the opportunity to be open on a Wednesday night.

Chairman Brodeur says that in years past when the request has been made of the Mayor to appropriate funds to certain departments, the Board has also recognized those departments that do well with less.

Alderman Conn asks as a point of procedure if the intention is to restore $25,000 cut from the budget back into the budget.  Chairman Brodeur says no, the intent is to request the Mayor to reallocate funds that were cut by the Aldermen to the Library.

On a point of Information Alderman Buonopane asks if a vote in favor of restoring $25,000 can be used anywhere within the Library's budget.  Chairman Brodeur says assuming the Mayor takes the Board's request it would be restricted to the line-item indicated.

On the motion to recommend, All in favor.

Alderman Infurna motions to appropriate $21,000 to the School budget, 2^nd by Alderman Boisselle.

Chairman Brodeur says the Board may request the Mayor to add $21,000 from the funds cut by the Board of Aldermen to the School budget.  Once appropriated, it is the School Committee's to do what they will.  On the motion to recommend, All in favor.

Alderman Forbes says the Human Rights Commission has done so much with so little that he would like to provide more resources for them to expand their programs.  He motions to appropriate $1328.00 to the Human Rights budget, 2^nd by Alderman Boisselle.

Chairman Brodeur says the Board may request the Mayor to appropriate $1328.00 to the Human Rights budget.  On the motion to recommend, one opposed (Conn).

Alderman Conn motions to send Order No. 07-163, City of Melrose Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2008 in the amount of $57,317,796.99 as amended to the full board without recommendation, 2^nd by Alderman Infurna.  All in favor.

President Mortimer says the three requests can be put on as amendments at the full board meeting.

Appropriations Committee concludes FY2008 budget hearings at 9:17 p.m.  Chairman Brodeur steps down from the chair.  Vice-Chairman Tramontozzi takes the chair to conduct the regular order of business.

Maribeth Harrington
Clerk of Committees