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Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Finance Committee
Date: 2013 -09 -11
Building: Reading Town Hall
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: General Business
Attendees: Members - Present:
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Conference Room
Chair Barry Berman, Vice Chair Mark Dockser, members Jeanne Borawski,
Paula Perry, Valarie Perry, David Greenfield, Karen Herrick, Jeffrey Perkins,
Paul McNeice
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, resident Demetra Tseckares (arrived at
7:45pm) and Selectmen Marsie West (arrived 8:45pm);
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Bob LeLacheur
Topics of Discussion:
DRAFT MINUTES
School space working group - Mr. Berman gave an overview of the search for school space
for all day kindergarten and pre - school, through the recent decision not to pursue the
Woburn Street option. He also noted that Ms. Borawski had been appointed to fill a vacant
position on the School Committee, but had not yet resigned from FINCOM or been sworn in
to her new position. Ms. Borawski thanked the FINCOM members, and while she looked
forward to the challenges brought by her new role, she would miss the group. Mr. Dockser
said that FINCOM would be back in search mode for a replacement candidate.
Mr. Berman asked for volunteers to serve on the School space working group, and Mr.
Dockser volunteered to represent FINCOM. Ms. Paula Perry said she would be available to
attend meetings as needed to back up Mr. Dockser. Mr. Berman asked the Town Manager to
communicate this selection to the Superintendent.
OPEB Trust document - Mr. LeLacheur reviewed a handout prepared by Town Accountant
Sharon Angstrom. Five members were listed as a typical example of a Board of Trustees for
OPEB, including Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Chairman of the Finance Committee,
Chairman of the Personnel Board, Treasurer and Town Accountant. After some discussion,
FINCOM recommended to remove the Personnel position, and then add three members of
the public. At least one member from the public should have a legal background and one
should have an investment background. Mr. LeLacheur mentioned the possibility of the
Retirement Board as an oversight option, but FINCOM did not like that suggestion.
Preparation for October 91h Financial Forum - Mr. LeLacheur reviewed the financial handouts
in detail. Free cash usage in the FY14 budget will be lowered even after adding some
expenses because of higher revenues. Mr. LeLacheur briefly reviewed his proposed re-
organization of Town government, which has not yet been approved by the Board of
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Selectmen. He also reviewed handouts about the annual budget process, the Town Charter's
view of the budget process, the Bylaws that pertain to FINCOM, and FINCOM policies. After
the discussion, FINCOM preferred to delay the Financial Forum to later in October in order to
have better estimates on the accommodated costs. They also agreed to discuss whether to
have a formal policy on Peer Communities at a regular meeting in October. Mr. Berman
stated that he heard the Economic Development Committee discuss a possible linkage
between meals tax revenues and funding for economic development, and he wanted to go
on record as opposed to any such earmarking of funds.
Preview of Subsequent Town Meeting in November - Mr. LeLacheur reviewed a draft 16-
Article Warrant for the upcoming Town Meeting, which looks to be two nights in duration.
Half of the Articles are financial and would benefit from FINCOM review and votes.
Finance Committee Minutes - Financial Forum August 21, 2013
A motion by Mr. Berman seconded by Ms. Borawski to approve the Minutes as
amended was approved by a vote of 7 -0 -0.
A motion by Mr. Dockser seconded by Ms. Herrick to adiourn the meeting at 9:10
p.m. was approved by a vote of 7 -0 -0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
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