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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-03-01 Finance Committee Minutes FINCOM Meeting March 29, 2006 The meeting convened at 7:35pm in the Town Hall Berger Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Chuck Robinson, FINCOM members Paul Bolger, Ron Powell, Marsie West, George Hines, Hal Torman, Michele Williams and David Greenfield. Also present were Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, School Superintendent Patrick Schettini Jr., Assistant Superintendent John Doherty, Director of School Finance & Human Relations Mary DeLai, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Police Chief Jim Cormier, Library Director Ruth Urell, School Committee members Rob Spadafora (Chairman) and Elaine Webb. Chairman Chuck Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:35pm. FINCOM Vice Chair Andrew Grimes arrived at 7:45pm. Gail LaPointe presented some material on behalf of the Reading Retirement Board. At the Spring 2006 Town Meeting, a warrant article is proposed to see if the Town will vote to accept Section 1 of Chapter 157 of the Acts of 2005 that provides accidental disability to retirees who are veterans with an additional annual allowance. Bob LeLacheur reviewed the overall budget, balanced since the most recent Financial Forum by some adjustments to town, school and common costs. Bob Keating and Bill Brown summarized the Cemetery budget. They had some concerns that low interest rates impacted the ability of the cemetery to be self-funding, despite the fact that the rates & fees were nearly triple that of nearby communities. Bob Keating reviewed the Parks & Forestry budget, including capital needs. Chuck Robinson inquired about the annual playground program – FY07 has Birch Meadow. Bob LeLacheur introduced the Library budget, along with a recent slight change to fund more hours in a technology librarian staff position in lieu of a long-range strategic plan. Ruth Urell mentioned that the long-range plan would be funded by other sources, and still scheduled for FY07. The Library Trustees spoke to the needs to restore ‘open hours’ to the library, accompanied by a brief presentation. George Hines wondered if the hours could be restored over five years instead of three years. Ruth Urell mentioned the issue of confusing variable hours of operation for the community. Michele Williams spoke in favor of restoring some of the hours. George Hines asked about the physical library building. Ruth Urell described the long-range review as taking a comprehensive look at the infrastructural needs of a modern library. The current location may need to be modified in order to best meet those needs. Peter Hechenbleikner reminded the audience that this should also be discussed both in the future buildings maintenance and the capital plan budget review sessions. Victoria Yablonsky mentioned that the long-range study would also survey the needs of the community. Chuck Robinson inquired as to when the last such survey was administered. Ruth mentioned that was done in 1999, to cover the years 2000-2005. The current deadline for the next five-year plan is October 2007. This deadline was extended when the new Library Director was hired. DPW business manager John Sousa joined the meeting. Bob LeLacheur reviewed the DPW Highway and Storm Water division budgets, and described the budget set-up which would allow Spring 2006 Town Meeting to discuss a warrant article proposing to form a new Storm Water Management enterprise fund. The present intent is to fund additional requests by this division that was not incorporated into the budget by the Board of Selectmen in FY07 via this enterprise funds. George Hines mentioned that the only reason this was deferred from the Fall Town Meeting was the issue of legality of a fee versus tax. Peter Hechenbleikner indicated that the Town had received sufficient indications that this approach was legal. Bob LeLacheur reviewed the remainder of the DPW budget. Ted McIntire described the proposed long-range DPW strategic review. Chuck Robinson asked as to who would write the RFP? Peter Hechenbleikner indicated that Ted McIntire, John Sousa, Bob LeLacheur & he would be involved, as well as a member(s) of certain BCCs. Ron Powell asked if all DPW departments are similar to the one in Reading. Ted McIntire mentioned that it is more typical to have a DPW, Water and Sewer set of three departments. However, that method had a lot of redundancy in overhead. Peter Tassi explained some of the co- operative bidding procedures that the Town uses, in order to wield more purchasing power. Chuck Robinson expressed some concern in putting specific number in the budget before the RFP responses were received. Marsie West wondered if the Town did enough similar bidding each year to have a ‘consulting budget’. Andrew Grimes asked if this method might be similar to capital budgeting. David Greenfield asked about the progress of the Rubbish RFP, and specifically if we were trying to increase the amount of recycled material in order to reduced the rubbish tonnage. Ted McIntire replied that we are. On a motion by Hines, seconded by Greenfield, the meeting of March 1, 2006 adjourned at 10:00pm by a vote of 9-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary