HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-28 Finance Committee Minutes
Finance Committee Meeting
February 28, 2007
The meeting convened at 7:30 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, Hal Torman, Michele Williams, David
Greenfield, Paul Bolger and Marsie West.
Also present were Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Fire Chief Greg
Burns, Police Chief James Cormier, Police Business Administrator Andrew Scribner, School
Committee members Elaine Webb and David Michaud, Elder Human Service Administrator
Dawn Folopoulos, Nurse Advocacy Committee member Paula Kopel, Assessors Bob Nordstrand
and Ralph Colorusso, Appraiser Dave Billard.
Bob LeLacheur asked if there were issues that we reviewed to-date that the Finance Committee
needs further information on or has direction on. George Hines indicated that he had concerns
about some of the Department Head salary percentage increases.
The Town Manager distributed a memo from Representative Brad Jones detailing FY08 State
aid, including a $1.1 million increase under the Governor’s budget. The budget model that we
used had estimated an increase of approximately $600,000. The Town Manager indicated that
we should stay with the estimate that we have and build the budget based on that. If State aid
does in fact come at the higher numbers, then those funds can be used at a later date for
additional stabilization funding and capital improvements. Several members of FINCOM agreed,
as per their adopted policy on free cash.
The Board of Assessors presented information about why they wanted to increase the Associate
Appraiser’s position by half time to make it a full time position. They noted the importance of
consistency & quality of assessing data.
Dawn Folopoulos and Paula Koppel presented a request to fund the Nurse Advocacy Program in
the FY2008 budget. George Hines inquired about the status of the Hospital Trust Funds, and the
Town Manager reviewed the matter.
Fire Chief Greg Burns reviewed the Fire budget, and specifically addressed issues about advance
life support and how it functions. Hal Torman asked about ambulance revenues, and the Chief
described the process, including the fact we do the billing all in-house.
Police Chief James Cormier and Business Manager Andrew Scribner reviewed the Police and
Dispatch budgets. They responded to questions that were raised by FinCom in terms of the cost
savings of an additional Dispatcher, the FLSA line item in the Police salary budget, and several
expense lines in the Police Department. George Hines asked if more police officers would reduce
OT significantly. The Chief replied that the old department study suggesting 41 officers was still
a reasonable benchmark (we have 39 currently). More officers would reduce some of the OT
costs. A discussion on dispatch followed, complete with the discussion on the 5-shift and 6-shift
models, and the need for one immediate dispatcher to fill out the 5-shift model, and 2 more
dispatchers in the future to fill out a 6-shift model. The Business Manager noted that nearly
every town nearby used the 6-shift model.
Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner reviewed the Community Services budgets. He responded
to questions about the Conservation Administrator’s salary, Zoning Board of Appeals Recording
Secretary, Historical Commission supplies, text in the Inspector’s background info, Inspector’s
salary, the Planning Division and Department Head position, the need for Health inspections,
Health Division revenues, the Sealer of Weights and Measures Program, the increase in
Riverside Community Care contract, Veteran’s Services, and Community Services. The Finance
Committee needed no further information on these matters.
On motion by Robinson seconded by Hines the minutes of January 3, 2007 were approved
by a vote of 7-0-1 with West abstaining.
On motion by Hines seconded by Williams the minutes of January 10, 2007 were approved
by a vote of 7-0-1 with West abstaining.
On motion by Greenfield seconded by Hines the minutes of February 14, 2007 were
approved by a vote of 8-0-0.
On motion by Bolger seconded by Robinson the meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m. on a
vote of 8-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary