HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-06-29 Finance Committee Minutes OF JR?
Finance Committee Meeting
" g June 29, 2011
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9.WCO Conference Room, Reading Town Hall
The meeting convened at 7:30 PM in the Conference Room at Town Hall.
FINCOM Members Present: Chair Marsie West, Vice Chair David Greenfield, John Arena, Barry Berman,
Mark Dockser, Paula Perry and Hal Torman.
Members Absent: Francis Fardy and Kevin Leyne.
Also Present: Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur and Fire Chief Greg Burns.
There being a quorum the FINCOM meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM.
Mr. LeLacheur gave an overview of the Fire department's request for a $50,000 reserve fund transfer for
FYI wages. Chief Burns gave more details, explaining some of the long-term injuries and medical issues,
and especially what happened since April to cause this recent request. Mr. Berman stated that he knew
injuries were all part of the job, but wondered if adding an additional firefighter would be paid for by OT
savings. Chief Burns reviewed a survey of nearby communities from last winter that showed Reading was
about in the middle. He added that not all communities had EMS training as a requirement that is funded by
OT. He doubted that an additional firefighter would reliably be paid for by a corresponding decrease in OT.
Ms. Perry asked if the training could be timed, and Chief Burns said that it was scheduled when there was no
vacation times listed, and that the 19 EMTs were split in half for the every two-year requirement to further
minimize OT. He added that there is currently a two per group maximum for scheduled vacation.
On a motion by Mr. Torman, seconded by Mr. Berman, FINCOM voted 7-0-0 to approve a transfer
from FINCOM Reserves to the Public Safety (Fire) OT Wale line item for FYll.
Chief Burns left the meeting after thanking the FINCOM. Mr. Greenfield asked Ms. West if this was an
appropriate time to discuss Public Safety OT costs, and she agreed. Mr. Greenfield and others had a brief
discussion about the causes of OT and details in both Fire and Police, and agreed to defer further discussion
until both Chiefs could attend a meeting. They asked Mr. LeLacheur to schedule that for their first meeting
in September.
Mr. LeLacheur took over the FINCOM meeting and asked for nominations for the position of Chair. Mr.
Greenfield asked Ms. West if she would remain as Chair, and she indicated that she would if there was no
other interest.
On a motion by Mr. Greenfield, seconded by Mr. Berman, the name of Marsie West was nominated as
Chair. On a motion by Mr. Greenfield, seconded by Mr. Berman the nominations were closed. On a
motion by Mr. Greenfield, seconded by Mr. Berman, Ms. West was approved to be Chair by a vote of
7-0-0.
Ms. West took over the FINCOM meeting and asked for nominations for the position of Vice Chair. Mr.
Torman asked Mr. Greenfield if he would remain as Vice Chair, and he indicated that she would if there was
no other interest.
On a motion by Mr. Berman, seconded by Ms. Perry, the name of David Greenfield was nominated as
Vice Chair. On a motion by Mr. Berman, seconded by Ms. Perry the nominations were closed. On a
motion by Mr. Berman, seconded by Ms. Perry, Mr. Greenfield was approved to be Vice Chair by a
vote of 7-0-0.
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On a motion by Mr. Greenfield, seconded by Ms. Perry, Ms. West was appointed to be one of
FINCOM's representatives on the Audit Committee by a vote of 7-0-0.
Mr. LeLacheur reviewed the FINCOM liaison assignments, and asked new member John Arena as well as
other members to please forward their interest to Ms. West before the next FINCOM meeting. He also
reviewed a proposed FY12 meeting schedule beginning with a Monday July 25 joint meeting at RMHS with
the School Committee for the purpose of reviewing the recent financial mismanagement news at a Special
Education Collaborative (not one used by Reading) as well as a Reserve Fund transfer request for repairs to
the Veteran's Memorial Wall at RMHS.
Ms. West requested that a regular meeting in September be held with the two Chiefs, and that only one
Financial Forum be held this fall—in mid October. Mr. Dockser asked that a review of revenue enhancement
efforts as well as expense reductions be discussed. Mr. Berman stated that the expenses were well known at
this point and he was most interested in a review of revenues. Ms. West added a FYI revenue outlook,
FYI budget guidance, and an update on Economic Development activities— especially as they relate to both
one-time and recurring revenues and expenses.
Ms. West asked how the one-week requirement for a FINCOM report on a vote before Town Meeting could
be changed, and Mr. LeLacheur told her to see the Bylaw Committee as soon as possible as they were re-
codifying the bylaws in time for a presentation to November Town Meeting. Mr. LeLacheur reviewed the
attached FINCOM Mission Statement and Guiding Principles; the FINCOM policies on Debt/Capital as well
as Cash Reserves; and the relevant sections of the local Bylaws and Town Charter than describe the
responsibilities of the FINCOM. Mr. Greenfield asked if the typical budget process could be written up, and
Mr. LeLacheur agreed to prepare that in time for the September FINCOM meeting and suggested they adopt
it as a Budget Policy. A September review will give Town and School staff an opportunity to review the
proposed policy and make corrections or suggestions. Mr. LeLacheur reviewed that recent $74,680.92
quarterly meals tax payment, and stated that this implied the projected FY12 revenue of$150,000 was now
looking a bit conservative.
On a motion by Mr. Greenfield, seconded by Mr. Berman, FINCOM voted to approve the Minutes of
April 13, 2011 as written by a vote of 5-0-2 (Mr. Arena and Mr. Dockser abstaining).
On a motion by Mr. Torman, seconded by Mr. Greenfield, FINCOM voted 7-0-0 to adiourn at
9:35pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Recording Secretary
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