HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-15 School Committee MinutesREADING BUDGET COUNCIL
Reading, Massachusetts
Regular Session October 15, 1997
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Keigley of the Finance Committee called the meeting of the
Budget Council to order at 8:10 p.m. at the Reading Senior
Center. Present were Finance Committee members Mr. Francis, Ms.
Grim, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Kurker, Ms. Martin, Mr. McDonald, Mr.
Penta and Mr. White. Present were Board of Selectmen members,
Ms. Anthony, Mr. Ensminger, Mr. Hines, Ms. Hoyt and Mr.
MacDonald. Present were School Committee members, Ms. Cavicchi,
Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Also present were
Town Manager Hechenbleikner, Superintendent Harutunian, Town
Accountant Foley and Town Treasurer Klepeis.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Mission Statement of the Budget Council, Town of Reading,
Massachusetts was discussed by the group.
Selectman Hines made a motion to adopt the Mission Statement of
the Budget Council, Town of Reading. The motion was seconded by
Selectman Ensminger. The vote was 5 -0 Selectmen Anthony,
Ensminger, Hines, Hoyt and McDonald.
Finance Committee member Francis made a motion to adopt the
Mission Statement of the Budget Council, Town of Reading. The
motion was seconded by Mr. McDonald. The vote was 8 -0. Members
Francis, Grim, Keigley, Kurker, Martin, McDonald, Penta and
White.
School Committee member Stohlman made a motion to adopt the
Mission Statement of the Budget Council, Town of Reading. The
motion was seconded by Ms. Cavicchi. The vote was 4 -0. Members
Cavicchi, Stohlman, Twomey and Williams.
School Committee member D'Antona arrived at 8:18.
Regular Session -2- October 15 1997
REVIEW OF DATES FOR MEETINGS
The group di
and March 4,
November 19,
Committee is
of the third
meeting will
scussed the proposed
1998 were scheduled
1997 was not put on
unable to produce a
date was discussed
be held on November
meeting dates. January 28, 1998
as definite meeting dates.
the scheduled as the School
quorum on that date. The matter
Later and it was agreed that a
5th at 7:30 p.m.
REVIEW CASH RESERVES (out of order)
Town Manager Hechenbleikner reviewed with the group the town cash
reserves.
Selectman Hines questioned how reserve goals are set.
Town Manager Hechenbleikner advised that the Finance Committee
guidelines call for a 5o reserve.
Finance Committee Member Grim questioned whether the town will be
reviewing sewer rates again.
Town Manager Hechenbleikner advised that sewer rates will be
discussed again before town meeting. When the budget was adopted
there was no reserve available and the sewer rates were set on
that basis.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Selectman Hines made a motion at 8:35 p.m.to enter executive
session to discuss strategy with respect to union and non -union
labor negotiations and to return to regular session at
approximately 9:30 p.m. The motion was seconded by Selectman
Hoyt. The vote was 5 -0 Selectmen Anthonv, Ensminaer, Hines, Hovt
and McDonald.
Finance Committee member Grim made a motion at 8
executive session to discuss strategy with respel
non -union labor negotiations and to return to re
approximately 9:30 p.m. The motion was seconded
The vote was 8 -0. Members Francis, Grim, Keigley
McDonald, Penta and White.
:35 p.m. to enter
�t to union and
aular session at
by Ms. Martin.
Kurker, Martin,
Regular Session -3- October 15 1997
School Committee member
enter executive session
and non -union labor ne,
session at aAxiroximatel-
Cavicchi. The vote was
Stohlman, Twomey and Wi
CALL TO ORDER
Stohlman made
to discuss st:
aotiations and
4 9:30 p.m. Thi
5 -0. Members
lliams.
a m,
rate !
to
mo
Cav
ption at 8:35 p.m. to
xy with respect to union
return to regular
:ion was seconded by Ms.
icchi. D'Antona,
Chair Keigley called the regular session meeting back to order at
9:45 p.m.
REVIEW OF REVENUE PROJECTIONS
Town accountant Richard Foley reviewed revenue projections with
the group.
Selectman Anthony questioned what the SBAB reimbursement is for
the Parker Middle School.
Town Manager Hechenbleikner advised that the reimbursement is
$779,000.
Finance Committee Member Grim asked what amount of the $42
million budget is salaries.
Town Manager Hechenbleikner advised that approximately $26
million is direct salary expense and another $6 million is
employee benefits expense.
Finance Committee Member White asked if the SBAB rate of
reimbursement is stable.
Town Manager Hechenbleikner advised that for this year and FY99
this money is solid, can't commit beyond that.
Finance Committee member Grim advise
done well during the last two years.
approximately $400,000 less would be
Unfortunately, the State Legislature
responsibilities for COLA's to local
must be funded by the town.
3 that the pension fund had
Well enough that
needed to fund.
has turned back the
towns. Any future COLA's
Regular Session -4- October 15, 1997
APPROVAL OF FY 1999 AND FY 2000 BUDGET GROUND RULES
After discussion, it was decided that the following ground rules
would be used.
1. Will plug in formal number for salaries at the next Budget
Council meeting.
2. Will use figure of 2.61 for expenses, taken from the fall
Municipal Inflation Index.
3. Will use 2 year budget process forms again this year.
ADJOURN
Selectman Ensminger made a motion to adjourn at 10:40 p.m. The
motion was seconded by Mr. Hines. The vote was 5 -0 Selectmen
Anthony, Ensminger, Hines, Hoyt and McDonald.
Finance Committee member Grim made a motion to adjourn at 10:40
p.m. The motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The vote was 8 -0.
Members Francis, Grim, Keigley, Kurker, Martin, McDonald, Penta
and White.
School Committee member Stohlman made a motion to adjourn at
10:40 p.m. The motion was seconded by Ms. Cavicchi. The vote
was 5 -0. Members Cavicchi, D'Antona, Stohlman, Twomey and
Williams.
Respectfully submitted
Harry . Harutunian, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools