HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-07 Appointment Committee -Finance Committee MinutesRECEIVED K
Finance Committee Appointment CommIQ&
November 7, 2012 RE ADIN S.
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. in the Arnold B9ReIA9t.ob%, X115 1O " ll Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman and Moderator Alan Foulds, Selectman
Ben Tafoya, FinCom Chairman David Greenfield, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner.
The Committee interviewed Valerie Perry, Paul McNiece and Jeffrey Perkins. Each of
the candidates reviewed their qualifications and answered questions raised by the
committee.
On motion by Tafova seconded by Greenfield the following names were put into
nomination for one position on the Finance Committee with a term expiring June
30, 2015: Valerie Perry, Paul MacNeice and Jeffrey Perkins. Perkins received three
votes and was appointed to the position.
On motion by Tafova seconded by Greenfield the following names were put into
nomination for one position on the Finance Committee with a term expiring June
30, 2013: Valerie Perry, and Paul MacNeice. MacNeice received three votes and
was appointed to the position.
The Finance Committee Appointment Committee reminded Ms. Perry that there will be
additional vacancies this coming summer and that she should consider applying at that
time.
On motion by Tafova seconded by Greenfield the Finance Committee Appointment
Committee voted to adiourn at 6:55 p.m, by a vote of 3 -0 -0.
pectfull bmitted,
.i
Secretary
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��'`'"�°'�° FINCOM Appointment Committee Meeting
November 7, 2012
The meeting convened at 6:30 pm in the Berger Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading,
Massachusetts. Present were Committee members Alan Foulds, David Greenfield and
Ben Tafoya as well as Valarie Perry, Paul McNeice, Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner and Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur. Jeffrey
Perkins arrived several minutes after the meeting commenced.
Alan Foulds called the Committee to order at 6:30 pm. He said that the remainder of a
three -year term (until 2015) on FINCOM was open, as well as the remainder of a one-
year term (until 2013). He also mentioned that another opening was expected in June
2013 due to FINCOM term limits.
Ms. Perry said that she was a six -year Reading resident and neighbor Jeanne Borawski
had mentioned an opening on FINCOM. She is a financial analyst at EMC and is from
upstate New York. Mr. Greenfield asked if this was her first entry into Reading town
government and she replied that it was. Mr. Tafoya asked if she had seen any FINCOM
meetings and she replied that she had watched some a few years ago on RCTV. Mr.
Greenfield stated that some folks wish to join FINCOM in order to set priorities for the
town, which is the realm of the Selectmen. He asked if she had any agenda or strong
interests. Ms. Perry replied that she was a strong supporter of the Public Library. Mr.
Foulds asked if she was a Town Meeting member and she replied that she was not. He
asked Ms. Perry if she knew of any conflicts and she replied that she did not. Mr. Tafoya
mentioned that she would need to become familiar with open meeting and ethics laws,
and for example she could not speak to the Board of Selectmen on behalf of any other
organizations. Mr. Greenfield asked if she was familiar with the FINCOM meeting
schedule and if that posed any problems and Ms. Perry said she was and it did not. Mr.
Foulds asked if she was comfortable speaking in front of crowds and she said that she
was. Ms. Perry mentioned that in light of the strength of the other applicants she was
happy to step back and await a FINCOM opening
Mr. McNeice said that he joined Town Meeting when he moved to Reading about ten
years ago. He has spent the last twelve years in public accounting, and is currently the
Director of Finance at Edgewater Technologies. Mr. Greenfield asked him what his
motivation was for applying to FINCOM. Mr. McNeice replied that he had a general
interest from his time on Town Meeting, and that his children were not yet in school but
he had an interest that the town spend money wisely. Mr. Greenfield mentioned that
FINCOM was advisory to Town Meeting but had no spending authority. Mr. Tafoya
agreed with that point and asked if the applicant had been to any FINCOM meetings? Mr.
McNeice said that he had not but had watched a few on RCTV. Mr. Foulds asked if he
was comfortable speaking in front of a large group and he replied that he was. Mr. Foulds
asked if he would be comfortable with a leadership role and he said that he would, and
that the FINCOM meeting schedule was understood and fit into his schedule. Mr. Foulds
addressed the same leadership question to Ms. Perry and she also replied in the
affirmative. She mentioned that her work is quarter- driven. Mr. Foulds asked Mr.
McNeice if he had any known conflicts and he said that he did not.
Mr. Perkins said that he has been a Town Meeting member for six years and had also
served on the Zoning Board of Appeals, including some time as the Chair when he left in
June 2012. He said the FINCOM schedule was more attractive than the ZBA one, and he
liked that FINCOM had a picture of the entire town compared to the narrow focus of
ZBA. Mr. Greenfield asked if he had specific interest in any one area and Mr. Perkins
replied that he had no agenda. Mr. Tafoya said that he was familiar with Mr. Perkins
from his work on ZBA and had no questions. Mr. Foulds asked if he was comfortable
speaking in public and if he would have any issues in a leadership role, and Mr. Perkins
replied he was comfortable both speaking and in a leadership role. He said he was not
aware on any conflicts.
On motion by Mr. Tafova seconded by Mr. Greenfield, the FINCOM Appointment
Committee nominated Valarie Perry, Paul McNeice and Jeffrey Perkins for a term
expiring on June 30, 2015; and then voted 3 -0 -0 to appoint Mr. Perkins to that term.
On motion by Mr. Tafova seconded by Mr. Greenfield, the FINCOM Appointment
Committee nominated Valarie Perry and Paul McNeice for a term expiring on June
30, 2013; and then voted 3 -0 -0 to appoint Mr. McNeice to that term.
On a motion by Mr. Tafova seconded by Mr. Greenfield, the FINCOM
Appointment Committee voted 3 -0 -0 to adiourn at 6:55pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary