HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-21 Finance Committee Minutes
Finance Committee Meeting
February 21, 2007
The meeting convened at 7:35 p.m. in the Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading,
Chairman Andrew Grimes, Vice Chairman Chuck Robinson,
Massachusetts. Present were
Finance Committee members George Hines, Michele Williams, Paul Bolger and Marsie
West.
Also present were Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Town
Accountant Gail Lapointe, Fire Chief Greg Burns, DPW Director Ted McIntire, Library Director
Ruth Urell, Library Trustees David Hutchinson and Vicki Yablonsky, School Committee
members Elaine Webb, David Michaud and Chris Caruso, and School Director of Finance & HR
Mary DeLai.
Bob LeLacheur reviewed the FY08 Town Manager’s budget previously distributed to FINCOM,
including the Revenues, Accommodated Costs, and Operating Costs.
Library Director Ruth Urell reviewed the FY08 Library budget, and noted the full funding of the
materials budget. Chuck Robinson asked what the recent gap towards fully funding the materials
budget was. Urell stated that is was approximately $30,000, and that donations were getting
more difficult to rely upon. Trustees Vicki Yablonsky and David Hutchinson outlined their plan
to restore hours at the Library. Urell reviewed a chart of hours of service offered by local public
libraries. George Hines noted the high circulation versus the lower open hours. Urell mentioned
that several years ago libraries across the area were 2.1% of town budgets, and that had declined
to 1.4% recently. She also emphasized that no Town funding is used for their special programs.
Michele Williams emphasized that the library was a community learning place. Hines inquired
about the wage increases, and stated that 4% was too high in light of a difficult budget
environment. School Committee Chair Elaine Webb stated that their FY08 budget had
constrained administration wage increases.
Town Accountant Gail LaPointe reviewed the Accounting budget for FY08, and FINCOM had
no further questions. Bob LeLacheur reviewed the FINCOM debt/capital model, and the
resulting allocation to each category for FY08. He then reviewed the details of the FY08 Capital
Improvement Program. School Committee member Chris Caruso asked if the $25,000 item was
for the Birch Meadow playground, and LeLacheur replied that this was accurate. George Hines
asked about the Killam roof, and Mary DeLai described the nature of the repairs needed, and the
long-term plans for that facility.
Greg Burns described the need for a new Fire pumper engine. Ted McIntire reviewed the DPW
equipment requests, and FINCOM had a brief discussion.
On motion by Hines seconded by Williams the meeting was adjourned at 10:03 p.m. on a
vote of 6-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary