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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-18 Finance Committee Minutes Finance Committee Meeting March 18, 2009 The meeting convened at 7:30 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, Matt Wilson, Hal Torman, Marsie West and Bryan Walsh. Members absent: Tom White Also present: Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Public Works Business Administrator Jane Kinsella, Town Engineer George Zambouras, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Police Chief Jim Cormier, Office Manager Paula Schena, Selectman Stephen Goldy, Superintendent of Schools Pat Schettini, School Director of Human Resources and Finances Mary Delai, Laura Busick, Gary DeRuska, Paula Perry, Lin Chabra, Karen Callan, Craig Martin, Colleen Dolan, School Committee Members Chuck Robinson, Karen Jameson, Lisa Gibbs, David Michaud and Elaine Webb. The School Committee called their meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Chairman George Hines welcomed Bryan Walsh, the newest Finance Committee member. Town Manager’s FY 2010 Budget Capital – Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur reviewed the criteria for evaluating capital projects. He noted that they must have a useful life of five years or more and a value of $10,000 or more, and that 5% of the budget goes to capital. We have $1 million to spend and $2 million in needs. Chuck Robinson indicated that the School Department used the first four criteria for capital projects and if they use all the criteria, they might put some back in. Bob LeLacheur noted that the performance contracting is not in the capital plan. When the Town knows what the needs are, this will be revisited. If the Warrant Article is needed, the motion will include the debt service for FY10. Barry Berman asked if the money will come out of capital, and Bob LeLacheur indicated that it will come out of free cash. Bob LeLacheur noted that $400,000 will be used out of the capital funds for roads. George Hines noted that there was an instructional motion from Town Meeting to spend as much as possible on roads. Bob LeLacheur noted that there is no energy related expenses in the FY10 Capital Budget. Pending the results of Performance Contracting, all of the energy items have been moved to FY11 or later. Finance Committee Meeting – March 18, 2009 – Page 2 Bob LeLacheur reviewed the items in the capital plan. Chief Jim Cormier noted that the $311,000 for Police and Fire radios is to replace the radios in the police cruisers, and the portable radios for the Fire Department. He also noted that the infrastructure is over 20 years old. David Greenfield asked if all the equipment is being replaced, and Chief Cormier noted that they are updating everything outside the building. Marsie West asked why we are replacing a sander that is fairly newer than others. Bob LeLacheur noted that we replace vehicles according to condition, not age. Marsie West also asked about curbs and sidewalks, and the Town Manager noted that he proposed a debt exclusion last year but it wasn’t approved. The Town Manager noted that it will take 112 years to do all curbs and sidewalks in Town. George Hines asked about the condition of the Library. The Town Manager noted that a study was done on the Library, and it identified items that have been included in the stimulus package. Matt Wilson asked if the capital formula for schools and Town are the same percentage split as the budget. The Town Manager indicated that it is not but it is close. Matt Wilson noted that there is only a small percentage of capital for the schools. Bob LeLacheur noted that if there wasn’t performance contracting, then items would have been included, and if one added in the debt (a form of paying for capital) then the schools were very well represented. The Town Manager and other Town Departments heads left the meeting. School Budget Superintendent of Schools Pat Schettini noted that the School budget is $200,000 under level funding. He also noted that positions have been reduced, and there are some stark decreases in some areas. Barry Berman asked where the five plus teacher positions are being cut from, and Pat Schettini indicated that he didn’t know because they are looking at enrollment. He also noted that attrition will address some of those positions. Hal Torman asked about the reduction in technology and the increase in sports fees. Pat Schettini noted that he met with the schools and parents. He also noted that the increase in athletic fees was built into the budget, and assistance will be needed for technology maintenance. He noted that parents have offered to help with technology. Paula Perry, budget parent, noted that the parents accept the athletic fees, and indicated that the Town of Reading is the lowest out of the surrounding towns. David Greenfield asked about the reduction in building heating. Mary Delai noted that the hearing and utilities are lower due to lower consumption and fuel prices. Matt Wilson asked why the budget is $200,000 under level funding. Pat Schettini noted that when the budget was approved, they didn’t have all the numbers. If they had waited six weeks Finance Committee Meeting – March 18, 2009 – Page 3 like the Town did, it would have been different. He also noted that the Town is $40,000 under level funding which is the same 1/3 and 2/3 split. Marsie West noted that the number of students in special education has decreased but the budget is increasing. Colleen Dolan from Pupil Services noted that children are placed in the less restrictive setting, and they have been able to bring some students back. Some students need to be placed out, and there has been tuition increases in private schools – one school indicated that there would be a tuition freeze, and then they were told that the tuition was going to increase 30% on March 1, 2009. Pat Schettini noted that private school tuitions are in the accommodated costs and when they bring a student back, the money comes out of operating budgets and that needs to be balanced somehow. Barry Berman asked how many students come to Reading from out of town, and Coleen Dolan indicated three students. Barry Berman asked if we advertise in other communities, and Ms. Dolan indicated that they have looked at that but they don’t want to impact class size and behavior is also a consideration. George Hines asked about the number of coaches. Mary Delai noted that the pay is in a form of a stipend, and there are not FTE coaches. George Hines indicated that he would like to see a breakdown of the number of coaches for each sport. David Greenfield asked if the School Department will be in need of free cash this year, and Pat Schettini indicated that they will not. Andrew Grimes asked for a list of deferred maintenance. Pat Schettini noted that none of the normal maintenance has been deferred. Hal Torman asked why the Vocational School Budget has a 4.50% increase, and Pat Schettini noted that their formula is very different. A motion by Michaud seconded by Gibbs to adjourn the School Committee meeting at 9:10 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Approval of Minutes A motion by Grimes seconded by West to approve the Minutes of February 9, 2009 was approved by a vote of 6-0-2, with Walsh and Torman abstaining. A motion by West seconded by Greenfield to approve the Minutes of March 4, 2009 was approved by a vote of 7-0-1, with Walsh abstaining. A motion by Greenfield seconded by Torman to approve the minutes of March 11, 2009, as amended, was approved by a vote of 7-0-1, with Walsh abstaining. Mission Statement Finance Committee Meeting – March 18, 2009 – Page 4 A motion by Grimes seconded by Berman to adopt the Mission Statement as presented was approved by a vote of 8-0-0. David Greenfield commented on the Board of Selectmen’s “Draft Code of Conduct.” He indicated that “criticism” should be defined and questioned whether disagreeing would be considered criticism. He also asked what happens if the “Code of Conduct” is violated. A motion by West seconded by Torman to adjourn the meeting of March 18, 2009 at 9:25 p.m. was approved by a vote of 8-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary