2021-03-10 Finance Committee Minutes

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_ CcI � EL Town of Reading T Meeting Minutes i' 0g 'w�,K�� H21 Mt:k 18 I'M e: ss Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Finance Committee Date: 2021-03-10 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: Open Session - Remote Meeting Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Chair Ed Ross, Vice Chair Dan Dewar, Nick Boivin, Jeanne Borawski, Eric Burkhart, Marianne Downing, Andrew Mclauchlan, Mark Zarrow Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, DPW Director Jane Kinsella, Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios, Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom, Library Director Amy Lannon, Facilities Director Joe Huggins, Assistant Facilities Director Kevin Cabuzzi, School CFO Gail Dowd, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Assistant DPW Director Chris Cole, Police Chief David Clark, School Superintendent John Doherty, Human Resources Director Sean Donahue Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely via Zoom. Chair Ed Ross called the meeting to order at 7:02pm. Review Town Department FY22 Budgets Continued: DPW & Enterprise Funds DPW Director Jane Kinsella and Town Manager Bob LeLacheur reviewed the department budget and Enterprise Funds. There are eight divisions of the DPW, five funded by the General Fund: Administration, Engineering, Highway, Parks and Forestry, and Cemetery; and three funded by Enterprise Funds: Water, Sewer, and Stormwater. Staff levels remain the same with 60 employees. The overall budget increased 2.4%. Engineering expenses increased slightly due to the cost of some software licenses. The Highway budget for gravel crushing, which is an optional endeavor, was cut in half and funds were redistributed to line painting, supplies, and Police details. Non-enterprise stormwater was level funded. Technical and Professional Services for Parks & Forestry was increased slightly for occasions when there is a need to outsource tree removal, or rent equipment. There was some money added for shade trees. There is some Fluctuation in salaries, as after two years, Laborers automatically become Junior Operators. There was $9,500 removed from the Cemetery budget for grave liners, as there is no need for the Town to purchase those, when residents can purchase them directly through the funeral home. The Rubbish and Recycling contract increases 3% every year. The contract with Covanta was re-signed last year, as there were significant increases for disposal. Miscellaneous recycling was increased because residents can bring their electronics to the Page 1 1