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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-04 Finance Committee Minutes Finance Committee Meeting March 4, 2009 The meeting convened at 7:32 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Members present: Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Andrew Grimes, Finance Committee Members Barry Berman, David Greenfield, Marsie West, Harold Torman and Thomas White. Members absent: Matthew Wilson Also present: Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Police Chief James Cormier, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Town Planner/Community Services Director Carol Kowalski, School Committee Member Elaine Webb, Public Works Business Administrator Jane Kinsella, Police Business Administrator Andrew Scribner, Assessor Deborah Jackson, Board of Assessors Members Frank Golden, Bob Nordstrand and Ralph Colorusso, and Office Manager Paula Schena. Town Manager’s FY 2010 Budget Board of Assessors – The Assistant Town Manager noted that the Assessors’ budget has a new expense of $7,000 for revaluation.Barry Berman asked if that is for software, and Frank Golden noted that it was for professional consultants to assist with valuation of poles. The Town Manager noted that the State requires revaluation every three years. Deborah Jackson noted that the seasonal employee keeps the values up to date. Barry Berman asked if abatement requests have increased. Bob Nordstrand indicated that they are up slightly. They received 120 abatement requests this year. The Town Manager noted that the overlay reserve protects against abatements. Deborah Jackson noted that the elderly exemption is also included in the overlay account. George Hines asked if there have been many foreclosures in Town. Bob Nordstrand noted that foreclosures don’t affect valuation. The Town Manager noted that foreclosures doubled from last year but it is still a small number of approximately 10. Community Services – The Town Manager noted that this budget has decreased 3.7%. The Coordinator of Volunteer’s position is soon to be vacant and it won’t be filled. The Assistant Building Inspector was laid off one week ago for financial reasons and lack of work. George Hines asked if the percentage increase in the wages is due to the Pay and Class Study, and the Town Manager indicated that it was one half a year for FY09 and full year for FY10. Marsie West indicated that this is a one time % growth. Finance Committee Meeting – March 4, 2009 – Page 2 Carol Kowalski noted that the Coordinator of Volunteers’ responsibilities will be shared with staff in the Finance Department. In regards to the Assistant Building Inspector position being eliminated, permits will be processed within the timeframe as allowed by law but people might have to wait a little longer at the counter. George Hines asked if there has been a decrease in the number of permits issued, and Carol Kowalski indicated that there has a decrease. She also noted that the alternate Inspector line item has increased to cover vacations, etc. as needed. Barry Berman asked how many volunteer workers, and Carol Kowalski indicated that there are 19 tax workers and 600 individuals received services. The Town Manager noted that there are also medical escorts and Senior Center volunteers. Andrew Grimes asked how the cost of living allowance is determined. The Town Manager indicated the CPI, and noted that the municipal price indicator has been 2% for the past three to four years. The employees have never had a negative increase but have had 0% COLAs in the past. He has told municipal employees that there will very likely be no COLA in FY 2011 or FY 2012. George Hines asked about the Veterans’ budget and noted that the salary has decreased. The Town Manager noted that is due to a change in staff with a lower salary. George Hines asked about the Veterans’ expenses. The Assistant Town Manager noted that it was increased to $100,000, and indicated that the expenses are very volatile. The Town Manager noted that the Town receives 75% of the money back from the State in one year. Police and Dispatch – The Town Manager noted that the total increase in the Public Safety budget is 1%. Salaries have decreased without cutting positions. Chief Jim Cormier noted that they are not budgeting for retirements. They have had transition and replaced promoted employees at lower steps. He also noted that they started this year six Police Officers short. Last year they were still under contract negotiations while building the FY 2009 budget, and used a highest-cost model. Actual settlements came in at lower costs. They have 40 sworn Police Officers. George Hines asked about the decrease in Dispatch. Chief Cormier noted that the emergency 911 wireless carriers are paying money back to the Town. As this is the first year, we are using that money for equipment and next year it will offset salaries. The Town Manager noted that the money is statutory -- there is a tax on each phone bill. The money is therefore more secure than a grant that must annually awarded. Hal Torman asked why there was such a big difference in the School Crossing Guard actual budget line versus the projected. Chief Cormier noted that the actual is based on the school year, which does not exactly match the fiscal year. Finance Committee Meeting – March 4, 2009 – Page 3 Tom White asked about cruiser replacement, and Chief Cormier indicated that we replace two cruisers per year. Other vehicles are replaced as needed. He also noted that they buy vehicles with grant money whenever possible. Hal Torman asked about the Detective’s salaries for next year, and Chief Cormier indicated that is due to restructuring. A Police Officer was promoted to Detective. Elaine Webb asked about the overtime account for the Police. Chief Cormier noted that the overtime account will be over expended this year by approximately $40,000 because he started the year six Police Officers short. He also noted that the overtime account will be short but the money will be in the salary line to make up the difference. Fire Department – The Town Manager noted that there is no decrease in staff. Chief Greg Burns noted that two new firefighters have been hired and there is still one vacancy. Chief Burns noted that they have had a number of injuries this year and he could be as high as $100,000 short this year. He indicated that once the vacancies are filled and the injured firefighters return, he will be back on track. Barry Berman asked how much revenue we receive from billing other towns for EMT services. The Town Manager noted that we don’t bill mutual aid. If we transport, then we bill that patient for the ambulance. Chief Burns noted that we received $625,000 in revenue last year. Tom White indicated that is a public service and felt patients shouldn’t have to pay. The Town Manager noted that is someone else; i.e., the insurance company will pay, then we will bill them. David Greenfield asked if mutual aid is equal. Chief Burns noted that Reading actually received more last year than it gave out. The calls are increasing, EMTs are spending longer time at the hospitals, and we have a higher level of care. Hal Torman asked if mutual aid will increase if other communities lay off employees. Chief Burns noted that we are not being abused but he is concerned that there could be increases if other communities lay off. He also noted that every community has to be able to handle routine emergencies and if they can’t, then the State will step in. He noted that if there was abuse, it would be addressed with the other communities but he has never had to in the past 10 years. Barry Berman asked if another fire truck is being purchased, and Chief Burns noted that there is another truck coming in October. Barry Berman asked if repair bills are going down, and Chief Burns indicated that they are going down. George Hines noted that the funding sources used to show on the former budgets, and the Town Manager indicated that can be added in the narrative. Other Business The Town Manager noted that Jay Tagney has resigned and the position has been posted. One application has been received to date. Finance Committee Meeting – March 4, 2009 – Page 4 A motion by Grimes seconded by Torman to approve the Minutes of February 25, 2009 was approved by a vote of 6-0-1, with White abstaining. A motion by West seconded by Torman to adjourn the meeting of March 4, 2009 at 9:20 p.m. was approved by a vote of 7-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary