HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-02-28 Finance Committee Minutes Finance Committee Meeting �-0 ,J
February 28, 1994 d .,. 7 00;r
The meeting convened at 7:35 p.m. in the conference room at 16 Lowell
Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman Richard Coco; Vice Chairman
Fred Van Magness; FinCom members Jim Keigley, Nate White, Bill Murphy,
Gerry MacDonald, Steve Blewitt, Liz Greene and Carol Grimm. Also present
were Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner; Director of Human Services
Ruth Cogan; from the Human Service Dept. Lois Bond, Cathy Baranofsky,
Bill Murphy; and Ken McGuire from the Chronicle.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Nate White the committee
voted to approve the February 24, 1994 Minutes as amended. The motion
was approved with a vote of 8-0-1 with Liz Greene abstaining.
The major issue of discussion pertaining to the Health Department was
the tobacco grant. FinCom questioned the need for it. Ruth Cogan
explained that the money would go to programs for tobacco control and the
remainder would be used for hourly increases for employees used for the
program. She also stated that the health department is asking for a level
funded budget. They are also going to take $6,000 from the tobacco grant
and put it towards the health department personal services. If by chance
we do not receive the tobacco grant the Selectman and Town Manager
assured the Health Department that they would request that $6,000 would
be transferred from the general fund. The Human Services Director
assured FinCom that if the Tobacco Grant was not funded, the Health
Division Staff would return to previous levels.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Bill Murphy the committee
voted to approve line item E-1 in the amount of $23,047, for personal
services in the health department. The motion was approved with a vote
of 8-0-1 with Nate White abstaining.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Bill Murphy the committee
voted to approve line item E-2 in the amount of $41 ,305, for non-personal
expenses in the health department. The motion was approved with a vote
of 9-0-0.
Loll On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Steve Blewitt the committee
Finance Committee Meeting
February 28, 1994
Page #2
voted to approve line item E-3 in the amound of $74,666, for personal
services in the Elder Service Department. The motion was approved with a
vote of 9-0-0.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Gerry MacDonald the
committee voted to approve line item E-4 in the amount of $4,336, for
non-personal expenses in the Elder Service Department. The motion was
approved with a vote of 8-1 -0.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Gerry MacDonald the
committee voted to approve line item E-5 in the amount of $8,140, for
personal services in Veteran's Services. The motion was approved with a
vote of 9-0-0.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Gerry MacDonald the
committee voted to approve line item E-6 in the amount of $22,000, for
aid in non-personal expenses for Veterans Services. The motion was
approved with a vote of 9-0-0.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Bill Murphy the committee
voted to approve line item E-7 in the amount of $500, for travel
reimbursement in Veterans Services. The motion was approved with a
vote of 9-0-0.
Due to the turnover for the part-time recreation supervisor, a decision in
the Town Manager's presentation was made to make it a full-time
position.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Jim Keigley the committee
voted to approve line item E-8 in the amount of $27,866, for personal
services in the Recreation Department. The motion was approved with a
vote of 8-1-0.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Bill Murphy the committee
voted to approve line item E-9 in the amount of $800, for non-personal
iw expenses in the Recreation Department.
Finance Committee Meeting
February 28, 1994
Page #3
The motion was approved with a vote of 9-0-0.
Fred Van Magness questioned the amount of employees within the Human
Services Department. Ruth Cogan explained, there are many different
services and departments within Human Services, and before they were a
combined department there were more than there are now.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Nate White the committee
voted to approve line item E-10 in the amount of $88,663, for personal
services in the general department for Human Services. The motion was
approved with a vote of 8-1-0.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Gerry MacDonald the
committee voted to approve line item E-11 in the amount of $1 ,770, non-
personal expenses in the general department for Human Services. The
motion was approved with a vote of 9-0-0.
The committee adjorned for a 5 minute recess at 9:15 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 9:20 p.m.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Gerry MacDonald the
committee voted to approve line item D-1 in the amount of $1 ,000, for
non-personal expenses for the Selectmen. The motion did not pass with a
vote of 2-7-0.
On motion by Nate White seconded by Steve Blewitt the committee voted
to approve line item D-1 in the amount of $1 ,750, for non-personal
expenses for the Selectmen. The motion was approved with a vote of
8-1 -0.
During the discussion of the Town Manager's budget Fred Van Magness
responded to the salary of the Town Manager, "when you look at the
Superintendent of Schools salary at $81 ,000 compared to that of the Town
Manager at $69,000 . . . it is quite disturbing and there is a
disproportionate salary for two leaders of the town.
Finance Committee Meeting
February 28, 1994
Page #4
Jim Keigley motioned to increase line item D-2, the Town Manager's
salary, but the Town Manager responded that FinCom should not make that
decision. All 9 FinCom members agreed to have the Chairman of FinCom
write a letter of recommendation to the Board of Selectmen, to increase
the Town Manager's salary.
The Town Manager stated that the Board of Selectmen will be meeting
next Thursday, March 3, 1994, to discuss his salary.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Gerry MacDonald the
committee voted to approve line item D-2 in the amount of $69,597,
personal services in the General Service Department. The motion was
approved with a vote of 9-0-0. The amendment to the main motion
requesting the Chairman of FinCom to write a letter recommending a
salary increase for the Town Manager also passed, with a vote of 9-0-0.
to,
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Gerry MacDonald the
committee voted to approve line item D-3 in the amount of $3,750 for
non-personal expenses in the General Service Department. The motion was
approved with a vote of 9-0-0.
During the review of town counsel, the Town Manager stated that Tyler &
Reynolds have been representing the town of Reading for many years and
suggested an increase in their salary from $97,500 to $101 ,900. Fred Van
Magness argued that "we can't put police officers on the street or
teachers in the classes . . . I don't think we are doing the right thing here,
we aren't giving sound financial advice to town meeting." Gerry
MacDonald stated, "why give them a 4.5% increase when we can't give it to
our town employees." On the other hand Chairman Richard Coco stated, N
can see an increase, but not a 4.5% increase."
Steve Blewitt and Nate White felt that Tyler and Reynolds wasn't high at
all, and it was a fair compensation.
LOn motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Bill Murphy the committee
Finance Committee Meeting
February 28, 1994
Page #5
voted to approve line item D-4 in the amount of $97,500, for Town
Counsel. The motion was not approved with a vote of 4-5-0.
On motion by Liz Greene seconded by Jim Keigley the committee voted to
approve line item D-4 in the amount of $101 ,900, for Town Counsel. The
motion was approved with a vote of 5-4-0.
Fred Van Magness requested a minority opinion at Town Meeting regarding
line item D-4, Town Counsel.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Gerry MacDonald the
committee voted to approve line item D-5 in the amount of $20,000, for
labor counsel. The motion was approved with a vote of 9-0-0.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Gerry MacDonald the
7 committee voted to approve line item D-6 in the amount of $5,000, for
expenses for the Law Department. The motion was approved with a vote of
9-0-0.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Gerry MacDonald the
committee voted to approve line item D-7 in the amount of $34,750, for
personal services in the General Service Department. The motion was
approved with a vote of 9-0-0.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Gerry MacDonald the
committee voted to approve line item D-8 in the amount of $1 ,450, non-
personal expenses in the General Service Department. The motion was
approved with a vote of 9-0-0.
The FY95 budget assumes we will spend $50,000 on new election
equipment, which is in the Capital Improvement Budget for FY95.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Gerry MacDonald the
committee voted to approve line item D-9 in the amount of $20,350, for
personal services for elections/registration. The motion was approved
with a vote of 9-0-0.
Finance Committee Meeting
L/ February 28, 1994
Page #6
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Gerry MacDonald the
committee voted to approve line item D-10 in the amount of 10,650, for
non-personal expenses for election/registration. The motion was
approved with a vote of 9-0-0.
Upon review of the Property and Casualty Insurance, the Town Manager
stated that the town is anticipating the rate to stay the same this year.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Nate White the committee
voted to approve line item D-11 in the amount of $163,194, for non-
personal expenses in the General Services Department. The motion was
approved with a vote of 9-0-0.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Gerry MacDonald the
committee voted to approve line item D-12 in the amount of $98,813, for
y personal services in the General Department. The motion was approved
with a vote of 9-0-0.
On motion be Fred Van Magness seconded by Nate White the committee
voted to approve line item D-13 in the amount of $88,200, for non-
personal expenses in the General Department. The motion was approved
with a vote of 9-0-0.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Gerry MacDonald the
committee voted to adjorn their meeting at 10:35 p.m., with a vote of
9-0-0.
Re ectfully submitted,
u
Lisa Zartrtrtrtmmmm
Secretary