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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-03-22 Finance Committee Minutes Finance Committee Meeting March 22, 2006 The meeting was convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Chuck Robinson, Vice Chairman Andrew Grimes, FinCom members George Hines, Ronald Powell, David Greenfield, Marsie West, Paul Bolger, Michele Williams and Hal Torman. Also present were Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, and the following list of interested parties: John Connery and Brian Seirra from W.S. Weiner asked if the Finance Committee members had any questions on material that was submitted to Fincom late last week. Connery had done a fiscal impact analysis. Chairman Robinson explained that the Finance Committee does not take position on zoning matters. Leslie Haley from Understanding Disabilities spoke. She read a statement and provided a copy for the Finance Committee. Historically, funding for the program was $15,000 per year until two years ago when Understanding Disabilities decided that they needed two part time advisors and increased the funding to $20,000. One of the part time administrators does training and programming and the other does scheduling. George Hines asked why it does not fit within the school budget. Haley noted that the City of Newton sells their program. Andrew Grimes indicated that he understands the school department feels it is a funding issue. They would support it if there was additional funding. Haley noted that it was removed last fiscal year and by the time they submitted their request to the School Department this year, it was “too late.” Paul Bolger noted that the Finance Committee cannot legally direct the School Committee on what to spend their money on. George Hines noted that this program is part of the School Department curriculum. Marsie West asked if Reading could sell the program, but it was noted that Newton sells the program for $20. Leslie Haley noted that Understanding Disabilities is working on fundraising. The Finance Committee began to go through the budgets. They had no questions on Accounting. In Community Services they had questions about the Permits Coordinator which will be fully funded by offsetting fees. In Finance, George Hines asked if we had restored services that were previously cut. Under Library, the interest was in trying to set a priority on re-establishing some of the hours that had previously been reduced. On Public Safety there was discussion about the Administrative Officer in the Police Department, a discussion on the fire alarm system, and discussion on one station versus two stations. In DPW, the discussion was on the long-range plan and we need to do more research before we fund it. The School Budget there was further discussion about the Understanding Disabilities program. This will be discussed by the School Committee at their meeting on March 27, 2006. There is a question about the previous fiduciary issue and the School Committee is satisfied that has been cleaned up. Pat Schettini noted that there have been previous concerns about financial oversight in Accounting and auditing. The Understanding Disabilities program is an adjunct to the curriculum because it is being taught by volunteers, not by staff. It has value that is good for the students. Elaine Webb noted that the School Department has already “cut $32,000 from core curriculum.” The curriculum budget did not increase substantially this year. Rob Spadafora noted that of the $1.6 million increase in the School Department budget, 80% of it is fixed. The School Committee decided not to increase the Metco program in the Town budget this year. Paul Bolger noted that the circuit breaker is budgeted 80% of the actual revenue. Should this not be budgeted at a higher number, and therefore free up some money for other things. Elaine Webb noted that the circuit breaker program is in place to keep the special needs issues from “chipping away” at regular day programs. The School Department has already spent some of the unanticipated special needs money from next year. Mary Kay Watts noted that the Department of Education is giving kudos to the Understanding Disabilities program. Understanding Disabilities could in the future work more to fund itself. th Pete Dahl noted that there is a budget meeting set for the 27 with the School Committee and this decision belongs with the School Committee. Carl McFadden noted that the euphemisms used for accounting problems were really that someone had embezzled money from Understanding Disabilities. When budgets were being developed, he could not support funding Understanding Disabilities until the problems were addressed. John Carpenter suggested that if the Finance Committee wanted to ensure that the program was run, it could be put into the Town budget. Marsie West noted that the anticipated revenue from the circuit breaker is not as much as was actually received last year. The difference is $1.1 million versus $1.153 million. At 10pm the Town Manager left the meeting. Pete Dahl reminded the gathering that Understanding Disabilities may or may not be added to the school budget even if additional funding were included. Rob Spadafora noted that the School Committee has such bottom-line authority, and agreed that they would discuss this item on the th 27. Leslie Haley declared that they were advised by members of the School Committee to come to this meeting tonight and make their presentation to FINCOM. Chuck Robinson asked if the Regular Day Technology Specialist new position should wait until all the construction is completed. Pat Schettini replied that Barrows will be don evry soon, and he did not want to hire for this position mid-year. Chuck Robinson reviewed SPED. Paul Bolger asked if a 1% increase in transportation costs would cover fuel increases. Pat Schettini noted that the SEEM Collaborative contains no fuel escalation clause. Chuck asked if the nursing staff were adequate, Pat replied that it was essential to have one nurse per building, and one dedicated to the RISE program. Chuck Robinson reviewed a past $50,000 error in the extended year program. Pat Schettini was confident it would not occur again. He mentioned that it is difficult to assess the summer needs until the spring semester. Linda Phillips asked what the unanticipated budget number is, as it is not itemized. Pat Schettini said the budget numbers were $200k - for two public ($45k ea.) and two private ($55k ea.) students. He noted in FY06 we had used up this budget in September. Chuck Robinson asked if the $35k in legal expenses were sufficient. Pat Schettini responded that they had spent $47k to date, and that 50k looks OK for this year. George Hines noted that the numbers simply do not support the request in adaptive equipment. If actual expenses happened at these levels, he would support a budget transfer next year. Pat Schettini observed that SPED IP’s are decided by a team and that by law money cannot be a factor in the IP design. Lisa Gibbs pointed out that they must care for the SPED kids in the budget process. George Hines said this was all fine, but simply not supported by the facts. Pete Dahl said the budget should reflect expectations. Pat Schettini reminded that mnoney spent to keep SPED children in district saved money in the long-run. Chuck Robinson noted the circuit breaker used was $1.1 million – why not the full $1.153 million, as recommended by the DOE. Marsie West agreed that the full amount should be used. The FINCOM reviewed the Buildings Maintenance budget. At 10:50pm, Carl McFadden moved to adjourn the School Committee. On a motion by Andrew Grimes, seconded by George Hines, FINCOM approved a reserve fund transfer in the amount of $1,000 to pay to a real-estate appraisal for a possible Town purchase of land on Main Street, by a vote of 9-0-0. FINCOM discussed the Storm Water Fund that is proposed in the FY07 budget. They expressed concern about the legality, and that Town Counsel had not satisfied their concern in this matter. On a motion by George Hines, seconded by Marsie West, FINCOM voted 9-0-0 to adjourn at 11:10pm. Respectfully submitted, Secretary