Minutes Not Yet Approved

Date: March 3, 2003

Members present: John Erickson, Bob Twombly, Gordon Borek, Jill Mann

Agenda:Operating budgets: DPW, Transfer Station, Water Department, Middleton School Committee

The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m.

Ira Singer stated that HAWK is to be funded from a grant as voted by the Board of Selectmen.

Bob Hoffman said that the drop in the DPW budget is due to the removal or $35,000 for paving which was the Town's contribution to the State's grant money. Mr. Hoffman's salary has also been decreased in the DPW Department and increased in the Water Department portion of the budget. Services budgeted for the Transfer Station are contractual. There is additional copper & lead tested budgeted for the Water Department. Phase 2 for Storm Water is for catch basin testing to protect rivers.

The Middleton School Committee's budget is at present at 3.93%. Instructional material has been included in the operating budget instead of putting it on a warrant article. GimmeSue Valacer stated that classes will be no higher than 22 students. Three teachers are retiring. The Superintendent is leaving his office in Middleton which causes a decrease in rental income. A SPED teacher is to come on board to replace 3 aides. A line item for $600 stipend for the School Committee has stayed in the budget but has not been taken. This year it will be given to those who ask for it and there has been some requests made.Enrollment is flat in Middleton and is going down in Boxford and Topsfield, causing layoffs of teachers and aides at Masco. However, Masconomet is hiring a Treasurer.

The MA budget will not be through by Town Meeting. It is possible to vote to postpone the meeting until June.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Priscilla Neal, Secretary