HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-11-18 Finance Committee Minutes
Finance Committee Meeting
November 18, 2009
Conference Room, Reading Town Hall
The meeting convened at 7:30 PM in the Conference Room of Town Hall.
FINCOM Members Present
: Committee Chair George Hines, Vice Chair David Greenfield, Barry
Berman, Kevin Leyne, Harold Torman, Bryan Walsh, Marsie West, Tom White and Matthew Wilson.
Also Present:
Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob
LeLacheur, Community Services Director/Town Planner Jean Delios, Library Director Ruth Urell,
Library Trustees David Hutchinson, Jeff Doucette and Vicki Yablonsky; residents Dave Talbot and
Rick Schaeffer.
There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm.
Other Business:
FY11 Budget process
The Assistant Town Manager reviewed the revenues assumptions for FY11 which currently stand at
$68.9 million net of debt exclusion and MSBA debt payments. This is a projected decline of 0.4%
versus FY10. The key assumptions are $11.43 million in State Aid, or a 6.2% decline versus FY10;
and $337k in Federal ARRA funding, or a 60% decline from FY10.
Projected Accommodated costs are $25.25 million, or a 2% increase from FY10 levels. The key
assumption is health insurance at +8%. If the Town, School and Facilities departments all had zero
percent increases in their operating budgets (non-accommodated), a structural deficit of over $930k
exists in FY11, and under similar projections this increases in FY12 to $1.4 million.
On a motion by Marsie West, seconded by David Greenfield, to utilize up to $1 million of cash
reserves in order to balance the FY11 budget – pending no mid year FY10 9c cuts, FINCOM
voted 9-0-0.
FY10 Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School (NMRVS) budget
The Assistant Town Manager reviewed the most recent (November 12, 2009) proposed FY10 budget
from the NMRVS School Committee. It is $861,935 lower than the previous proposal. Assessments to
cities and towns would increase by 1% instead of the prior 5.9%, thereby saving $548,178. The
remaining shortfall in revenue is from state aid ($314,757). From an expense perspective, NMRVS
proposes to reduce energy and health insurance expenses, but does not change staffing levels or cut
other expenses. Continued lack of transparency in the budget process is noted. A December 1 takeover
by the state is deemed to be probable, and this budget may then be imposed.
On a motion by Tom White, seconded by Bryan Walsh, to reject the most recent budget
submitted by the Northeast Vocational School Committee, FINCOM voted 9-0-0.
Library Building Update
The Library Board of Trustees presented FINCOM with a handout “Building Evaluation and
Recommendation”. They noted that community demand for services was still increasing, and the
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existing facility presented structural and technological challenges to meet these demands. They cited
the process used to gather facts and community input, and presented three possible options: renovate;
renovate and build addition; new building/new location. They noted the Adams & Smith LLC study
from May 2008 as background. Each approach was discussed, and the Trustees suggested that the
Town fund an architectural study and site design for the first two options. They estimated a cost of
$50k – 70k for such a study. Peter Hechenbleikner reminded the group about the Municipal Building
Committee, and the role it now plays.
November 30 – Special Town Meeting
At the request of some residents, FINCOM agreed to hear about the Special Town Meeting (STM),
even though they expected to play no formal role in zoning issues. They requested that all information
presented focus on the financial implications of the STM. Community Services Director/Town Planner
Jean Delios gave an extensive presentation on the intent of the proposed zoning changes as well as the
possible financial results. She showed the history of a two year process with many meetings along the
way that led to this STM. Residents Dave Talbot and Rick Schaeffer presented arguments against the
proposed zoning changes, including the possible cost of extra parking needed. FINCOM chair George
Hines declared that there were not sufficient financial issues at stake, and the rest of FINCOM agreed,
resulting in no motions or opinions for the STM.
Approval of Minutes
FINCOM deferred approval until the next meeting.
Bryan Walsh made a motion, seconded by Marsie West, to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 PM.
FINCOM 8-0-1 (Matt Wilson abstaining) to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted,
Recording Secretary
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