HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-04-11 Finance Committee Minutes OF
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2918 AUG -g Ali 9: 45
Finance Committee
Date: 2018-04-11 Time: 7:30 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session:
Purpose: Vote Revised FY19 Budget Version:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Chair Peter Lydecker, Paula Perry, Mark Dockser, Marc Moll, Eric Burkhart,
Paul McNeice, David Neshat, Anne Landry (arrived at 7:55 PM)
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Administrative Assistant Brendan Sweeney,
Bill Brown
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Brendan Sweeney
Topics of Discussion:
Chairman Peter Lydecker called the meeting to order at 7:33 PM.
Mr. Lydecker began the meeting by noting that Vanessa Alvarado had resigned from her
role on the Finance Committee to assume her new position as a member of the Board of
Selectmen. He then opened up the floor for public comment.
Bill Brown, 28 Martin Road, began by stating his concern with the'recent wording of the
Proposition 2 1/2 override question that was passed by the voters on April 3rd, specifically
how the question had earmarked funds for various aspects of the School Department's
budget (teachers, classroom support, and athletics). Mr. Brown noted his legal concerns
behind earmarking those funds on the ballot question, as Town Meeting only has the
authority to appropriate a lump sum amount for the School Department. Town Manager
Bob LeLacheur noted that Town Counsel had initially approved the School Committee to
earmark these funds on the ballot question, but noted that he will reach out to Town
Counsel again about the matter to seek further clarity. Mr. McNeice asked what Mr. Brown
was hoping would be the final result of looking into this matter, and Mr. Brown stated that
he was just hoping to get some clarity on the issue from the Attorney General's office.
Mr. LeLacheur then brought up the topic of the revised vote on the FY19 Budget numbers
due to the passage of the Proposition 2 1/2 override. Ms. Perry inquired about the Public
Safety personnel increases, and what changes can be expected. Although Mr. LeLacheur
noted that he can't say definitively, he at least expects there to be a more immediate effect
in the reduction for OT need in both departments. Mr. Moll asked about how long the hiring
process will take for these positions, and Mr. LeLacheur stated that it will take a year at
least.
Mr. Neshat inquired about the $207,500 increase to the Capital Budget. Mr. LeLacheur
explained that the number is to be allocated to the Permanent Building Committee so that
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they can potentially get the ball rolling on projects such as the Killam School. Additionally,
he noted that the number is keeping consistent with the 5% that is normally allocated.
On a motion by Ms. Perry, seconded by Mr. McNeice, the Finance Committee voted
7-0-0 to approve line B99 Benefits in the amount of $18,207,600.
On a motion by Mr. McNeice, seconded by Mr. Dockser, the Finance Committee
voted 7-0-0 to approve line C99 Capital in the amount of $3,133,100.
On a motion by Mr. Dockser, seconded by Mr. Moll, the Finance Committee voted 7-
0-0 to approve line G91 Administrative Services Wages in the amount of
$1,428,725.
On a motion by Mr. Moll, seconded by Mr. Burkhart, the Finance Committee voted
7-0-0 to approve line G92 Administrative Services Expenses in the amount of
$1,491,350.
On a motion by Mr. Burkhart, seconded by Mr. Neshat, the Finance Committee
voted 7-0-0 to approve line H91 Public Services Wages in the amount of
$1,417,725.
On a motion by Mr. Neshat, seconded by Mr. Lvdecker, the Finance Committee
voted 7-0-0 to approve line I91 Finance Wages in the amount of $721,250.
On a motion by Mr. Lvdecker, seconded by Ms. Perry, the Finance Committee voted
7-0-0 to approve line 391 Public Safety Wages in the amount of $10,724,775.
On a motion by Ms. Perry, seconded by Mr. McNeice, the Finance Committee voted
7-0-0 to approve line 392 Public Safety Expenses in the amount of$527,200.
At this time (7:55 PM) Anne Landry arrived at the meeting.
On a motion by Mr. McNeice, seconded by Mr. Dockser, the Finance Committee
voted 8-0-0 to approve line K91 Public Works Wages in the amount of$2,660,850.
On a motion by Mr. Dockser, seconded by Mr. Moll, the Finance Committee voted 8-
0-0 to approve line 11-91 Library Wages in the amount of$1,328,550.
On a motion by Mr. Moll, seconded by Mr. Burkhart, the Finance Committee voted
8-0-0 to approve line L92 Library Expenses in the amount of$365,965.
On a motion by Mr. Burkhart, seconded by Mr. Neshat, the Finance Committee
voted 8-0-0 to approve line U99 School Department in the amount of $44,860,275.
Mr. LeLacheur then explained that, although not listed on the FY19 Budget Scorecard, the
Finance,Committee should still vote on W99 Water Enterprise Fund and X99 Sewer
Enterprise Fund to reflect the changes made due to an additional shared clerical position.
On a motion by Mr. Neshat, seconded by Ms. Landry, the Finance Committee voted
8-0-0 to approve line W99 Water Enterprise Fund in the amount of $6,356,475.
On a motion by Ms. Landry, seconded by Mr. Lvdecker, the Finance Committee
voted 8-0-0 to approve line X99 Sewer Enterprise Fund in the amount of
$6,502,150.
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Additionally, Mr. LeLacheur felt it would be prudent if the Finance Committee re-voted on
Article 4 of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, to reflect the changes in the Capital Budget.
Ona motion by Ms. Perry, seconded by Mr. Dockser, the Finance Committee voted
8-0-0 to recommend the updated version of Article 4 to Town Meeting.
Mr. LeLacheur highlighted that he believes that Town Meeting should be relatively short,
spanning only two nights, and that it is likely that the FY19 Budget will be brought to the
floor on the second night of Town Meeting, which. is Thursday,April 26tH
Mr. LeLacheur then addressed some housekeeping issues, including: that there is now a
Finance Committee vacancy due to Vanessa Alvarado's resignation, an update on funding
from the state to pave Main Street (next spring), a potential bond bill being put together in
the General Court to provide funding for Reading building security, and the School Security
Seminar to be held at the RMHS Library on May 23rd.
On a motion by Ms. Perry, seconded by Mr. Neshat, the Finance Committee voted
7-0-1 to approve the meeting minutes from March 7, 2018.
On a motion by Mr. Lydecker, seconded by Mr. Dockser, the Finance Committee
voted 6-0-2 to approve the meeting minutes from March 28, 2018.
Mr. LeLacheur then noted that the next formal meeting of the Finance Committee will be in
June, but that the Firiance Committee should be prepared to meet briefly before Town
Meeting on Monday, April 23rd to vote on the Snow and Ice budget numbers for FY18.
On a motion by Ms. Perry. seconded by Mr. McNeice, the Finance Committee voted
8-0-0 to adiourn the meeting at 8:19 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Secretary
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