HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-06-09 Finance Committee Minutes
Finance Committee Meeting
June 9, 2010
Conference Room, Reading Town Hall
The meeting convened at 7:30 PM in the Conference Room of Town Hall.
FINCOM Members Present
: Chair George Hines, Vice Chair David Greenfield, members Kevin
Leyne, Harold Torman , Bryan Walsh, Marsie West and Mathew Wilson.
Members Absent:
Barry Berman and Tom White
Also Present:
Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur. Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner joined the meeting at 8:15pm.
There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm.
Public Comment:
No comments.
FINCOM appointment meeting:
th
Next Tuesday June 15 candidates will be interviewed for three open spots on the Committee. The
FINCOM Appointment Committee is composed of the current Chairs of both FINCOM and the Board
of Selectmen, as well as the Town Moderator. A majority vote fills those seats.
Discussion of summer schedule:
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FINCOM will take this up at their June 30 meeting. The next tentative date after that is August 4.
Some topics to discuss include an update from RMLD, a broad technology update, an update on the
performance contracting project, and an update on regional dispatch – perhaps in conjunction with a
Selectman’s meeting.
Planning: FINCOM initiatives
:
FINCOM discussed the need to find alternative revenue sources. David Greenfield mentioned the
amount of time and effort that staff and FINCOM have put into reducing expenses over the past few
years while maintaining and in some cases increasing services. He said it is time to more seriously
consider revenue – including such topics as advertising that may not have been a high priority in the
past. He mentioned that we needed to find a way to communicate with Town Meeting the differences
between town government and private business when it comes to the current budgetary situation.
George Hines presented an overview of the work done thus far buy the Municipal Building Committee.
Next up is the Reading Public Library. Peter Hechenbleikner reviewed the mass-notification system
(R-911) project that is currently underway, and that he would be asking for November Town meeting
funding.
Discussion of FINCOM fact statement about the Special Election (Meals Tax):
Bob LeLacheur reviewed in detail some comments provided by Town Counsel as to the limits on
permitted actions by FINCOM as a whole as opposed to individual actions be each member. He then
reviewed the powerpoint presentation to be placed on the Town’s website, meant to provide a neutral
fact-based amount of information to any interested residents. FINCOM made several changes to the
presentation.
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On a motion by Mr. Greenfield, seconded by Mr. Leyne, FINCOM voted to support the Town
Meeting action on Article 13 (Meals Tax) by a vote of 6-1-0 (Hines voting against).
On a motion by Mr. Greenfield, seconded by Ms. West, FINCOM voted to approve the minutes
of May 19, 2010 by a vote of 6-0-1 (Torman abstaining).
On a motion by Mr. Torman, seconded by Ms. West, FINCOM voted to adjourn at 8:45pm by a
vote of 7-0-0.
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