HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-06-14 Finance Committee Minutes
FINCOM Appointment Committee Meeting
June 14, 2007
The meeting convened at 7:05 p.m. in the Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading,
Massachusetts. Present were Committee members Alan Foulds, Ben Tafoya and Andrew
Grimes. Also present were Phil Pacino and Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director
Bob LeLacheur.
Alan Foulds called the Committee to order at 7:05pm. He described that four terms on
FINCOM were open – three regular 3-year terms beginning on July 1, 2007, and one 1-
year term beginning immediately (to replace School Committee member Robinson).
Candidates being considered were Barry Berman, Ruth Carmichael, Hal Torman
(incumbent), Tom White, and Matt Wilson.
Tom White and Matt Wilson were invited to join the meeting. Alan Foulds asked if
anyone had heard from any of the other candidates. Andrew Grimes noted that Hal
Torman and Barry Berman had both expressed interest in being appointed to FINCOM.
Tom White was the first candidate interviewed: Andrew Grimes asked for a review of
Tom’s background, and an explanation of what he brought to the FINCOM. Tom
mentioned that he had three school children, and has lived in Reading for 11 years. He
noted that as a lawyer, he works closely with the CFO, auditors and financial team of his
company, in preparing the financial statements and the management letter. He is also
involved in any negotiations of credit lines with banks, and in the corporate governance
area.
Ben Tafoya asked why Tom was interested in the FINCOM. Tom replied that he had
learned about the FINCOM over the past few years from Chuck Robinson, and when
Chuck was elected to the School Committee, he decided that he would like to fulfill a
desire to give back to the community via a position on FINCOM. Tom stated that he was
very supportive of both schools and public safety. Grimes asked if there would be any
schedule conflicts; Tom replied he knew the workload and was fine with the schedule.
Alan Foulds asked Tom if he had any conflicts of interest; Tom replied that he did not.
Foulds asked what he would do differently than is currently done by FINCOM. Tom said
he had a lot to learn before being in a position to answer that question fully. He said that
his motto is compromise and collaboration.
Matt Wilson was the second candidate interviewed: Andrew Grimes asked for Matt’s
background. Matt replied that he had lived in Reading since 1991, had three school
children. Matt described his involvement in recent override votes for both general
operations as well as the elementary school building projects. He mentioned that the
dimension he would bring to FINCOM would be a political/activist approach, and that he
enjoyed being an insider.
Ben Tafoya asked why Matt was interested specifically in the FINCOM, and to describe
his professional background. Matt replied that he ran a small ($500k annual budget) non-
profit for several years, and that his background was a political perspective. He said he
was very supportive of the schools, and his interest in the FINCOM was in expanding the
pie of available revenues, whether by bringing in more businesses or supporting
overrides. Grimes asked Matt if he could ‘say no’ to the schools when needed, as
FINCOM had a response to the entire community and to ensure future budget
sustainability. Matt said that he would, but that more revenues would likely be needed.
Alan Foulds asked Matt what he would do differently on the FINCOM than current
practice. Matt replied that he had no specific ideas as yet, but that he was bothered by the
penny-pinching nature of the Town, and felt that fees, water bills, and parents needing to
pay their own way were problems to solve.
Ben Tafoya and Bob LeLacheur described the role of the FINCOM, the Selectmen &
School Committee, and of Town Meeting in the budget process. Ben asked Matt & Tom
how they would plug in Town Meeting members into the budget process earlier than the
Annual Town Meeting. Matt responded with the school’s ‘budget parents’ model, and
wondered if that could be applied more broadly. Tom relied that the new website could
be a key communication tool, and that perhaps precinct meetings with members of
FINCOM would be appropriate.
Alan Foulds asked Matt if he had any conflicts of interest; Matt replied that he did not.
On motion by Grimes seconded by Tafoya, the FINCOM Appointment Committee
placed the following names into nomination for three-year terms, beginning on July
1, 2007: Hal Torman; Tom White; and Matt Wilson. Nominations were closed. On a
motion by Tafoya, seconded by Grimes, the above candidates were all voted 3-0-0
unanimously to serve on the FINCOM in said three-year terms.
On motion by Grimes seconded by Tafoya, the FINCOM Appointment Committee
placed the following name into nomination for a one-year term, beginning
immediately and expiring on June 30, 2008: Barry Berman. Nominations were
closed. On a motion by Tafoya, seconded by Grimes, the above candidate was voted
3-0-0 unanimously to serve on the FINCOM in said one-year term.
On motion by Tafoya seconded by Grimes, the Committee voted to adjourn at
7:35pm by a vote of 3-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary