HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-11-05 Finance Committee Minutes
Finance Committee Meeting
November 5, 2007
The meeting convened at 7:05 p.m. in the Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading,
Finance Committee members Tom White, Barry
Massachusetts. Present were
Berman, Hal Torman, Matt Wilson, George Hines and David Greenfield
. Also
present were, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance
Director Bob LeLacheur, DPW Director Ted McIntire, Recreation Administrator John
Fuedo, School Committee members Chuck Robinson and David Michaud, Friends of
Reading Tennis Kate Kaminer, Lorraine Salter, Jane Cerulo, Teri Chuha, Joy Mohr,
Philip Mohr and C. Ellen Commito and Reading Memorial High School Tennis Coach
Bruce Appleby.
Bob LeLacheur informed Fincom that Chairman Andrew Grimes and Vice Chairman
Marsie West were unable to attend the meeting and someone should take over the Chair
position for the evening.
On a motion by George Hines, seconded by Tom White, to elect Hal Torman as
Chairman for tonight’s meeting. Fincom voted 5-0-1 (Torman abstaining).
Hal Torman called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
Peter Hechenbleikner began the meeting discussing the Birch Meadow Tennis courts. He
reported to Fincom that the grant the Friends of Reading Tennis applied for was not
successful. The grant was well written but not in the policy direction the state was
going. Peter Hechenbleikner reviewed the memo from George Zambouras the Town
Engineer regarding the project costs…base bid, electrical costs, additional costs and the
project contingency. There was some concern regarding the cost of the lights and if that
could be omitted, but Peter Hechenbleikner stated that it is not an option to do the project
without the lights. At this time there are 3 options:
1. Do nothing. 3 courts would be immediately taken out of use. The
other 3 would be out of use within a couple of years.
2.Minimal repair. Pavement overlay and repainting of the existing
tennis courts. The expected cost would be $100,000 with a useful life
of approximately 5 years.
3.Full reconstruction. The bid for full reconstruction is $625,000
including lights and required contingency. Offsetting this would be
$140,000 in outside funds, leaving the net cost of the project $485,000.
Reasonable source of funds would be to bond the project for up to 10
years. The cost per year, approximately $70,000.
The Board of Selectman will discuss the tennis courts at their meeting tomorrow evening,
November 6.
Regarding Articles 3, 8 and 9, Peter Hechenbleikner explained what the possible actions
would be at Town Meeting based on the 3 options.
On page 5 of tonight’s agenda listed are the bids received for full reconstruction of the
Tennis courts.
White $558,416.00
Cardillo $618,076.22
Argus $748,000.00
Cer-Trom $784,533.00
George Hines asked if anyone talked to the Town Engineer regarding the bid from White.
Peter Hechenbleikner spoke to George Zambouras and he said it was an appropriate bid.
Tom White asked about the other tennis courts in town and what their conditions are.
There are a total of 13 courts and they are generally in poor condition. The only other
tennis courts at this time that are going to be repaired are the Memorial Park courts. This
will be done with donations from the Memorial Park Renovation fund.
Reading Memorial High School coach Bruce Appleby spoke to Fincom about the High
School tennis teams. The High School boys and girls team have done quite well. He feels
Reading is a tennis town and the courts are used quite a bit by town people. He also
reported that if a full reconstruction of the tennis courts is approved it will not be ready
for the upcoming season. He will have to talk to Phil Vaccaro about different courts to
use.
Barry Berman asked the Friends of Reading Tennis if there will be any more additional
fundraising. Lorraine Salter reported that they have $140,000 to date, $90,000 in
donations and $50,000 from the state. They are $10,000 short of their commitment to the
Town but are sure they will reach their goal. But for additional funding, they feel they
have done all they can at this point. They will still run the annual Reading Tennis Open
to help fund the boys and girls tennis teams at the High School. Kate Kaminer also told
Fincom that if the tennis courts are fully reconstructed, they would be eligible for
different types of grants from the state. Friends of Reading Tennis also informed
Fincom that with reconstructed tennis court Hallmark Health would sponsor their
Wheelchair Tennis Event.
George Hines asked the Friends of Reading Tennis what would happen to the donations if
Town Meeting fails to fund the tennis courts. Kate Kaminer said they would give the
money back, because the money was raised for new courts not to resurface. George
Hines thinks this is worth supporting but would like to know how the Board of Selectman
feels.
Peter Hechenbleikner talked about the type of surface for the courts, the warranty and the
drainage. No action will be taken tonight. Fincom will be notified of the Board of
Selectman recommendation after their meeting Tuesday. A meeting for Fincom will be
posted for 7:00 PM, November 13, 2007 at the high school before Town Meeting begins
at 7:30 PM.
Fincom reviewed the minutes of the meeting on October 10, 2007.
On a motion by Hal Torman, seconded by David Greenfield, to approve the minutes
of the meeting of October 10, 2007. FINCOM voted 5-0-1 (Hines abstaining).
FINCOM reviewed the minutes of the meeting on October 17, 2007 (Financial Forum).
On a motion by Hal Torman, seconded by David Greenfield, to approve the minutes
of the meeting of October 17, 2007. FINCOM voted 5-0-1 (Hines abstaining).
On a motion by Hal Torman seconded by David Greenfield the meeting was
adjourned at 8:15 p.m. on a vote of 6-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary