HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-07 Finance Committee Minutes Finance Committe Meeting 2 -6
March 7, 1994 /Y9y
The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room at 16 Lowell
Street, Reading, MA. Present were Vice Chairman Fred Van Magness;
FinCom members Jim Keigley, Nate White, Carol Grimm, Steve Blewitt,
Bill Murphy, Liz Greene and Gerry MacDonald. Also present were Town
Manager Peter Hechenbleikner; Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert
Munnelly; Assistant Superintendent of Schools Dennis Richards; School
Committee Chairperson Robin D'Antona; School Committee Members Matt
Cummings, George Shannon, Susan Cavicchi, Tom Stohlman and from the
Chronicle Maria Silvaggi.
Chairman Richard Coco was unable to attend tonights meeting, therefore
Fred Van Magness will be acting chairman.
On motion by Jim Keigley seconded by Gerry MacDonald the committee
voted to approve the February 28, 1994 Minutes as amended. The motion
was approved with a vote of 8-0-0.
The Town Manager presented a revised Fincom Budget Review Calander to
the committee. Due to the snowstorm on Thursday March 3, 1994 changes
were made to make it the 3rd revised calender.
The Town Manager presented to the committee a proposed FY95 Budget
Agreement. There were additional revenues since the last projection,
among them are new growth in the amount of $50,000, abatement surplus
in the amount of $50,000, lottery receipts in the amount of $131,000 and
a one time reimbursement for school bussing for $57,000. The amount of
new revenues is $288,000, with a totaling revenue amount of
$34,012,915.
The Town Manager is recommending $16,411 ,733 for the School
Department's FY95 Budget, but the School Committee's request is
$16,511,457.
Out of the $202,000 in priorities, the School Committee has agreed to cut
computer modems and half of building maintenance in the amount of
$49,000 and $50,000 would be absorbed in their budget for early
retirement incentive.
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i March 7, 1994
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Another $250,000 will come out of free cash for FY94 snow/ice. Nate
White commented that we shouldn't have to depend on free cash for
snow/ice and we should start budgeting realistically for FY95.
In response to questions from the FinCom regarding building maintenance,
Dr. Munnelly indicated that there are no projected savings that would
immediately accrue from consolidation of Town and School building
maintenance. He further indicated that the Schools will agree to a phased-
in consolidation of building maintenance within a two year period that
will result in improved quality and efficiency of maintenance. The Town
Manager suggested that we would try to get an EOCD grant to develop the
phased consolidation.
Dr. Munnelly began the school budget review by telling the committee that
with the upgraded revenues and the meeting between the budget
committee and school committee, that it is possible to come up with a
balanced budget and maybe even address additional concerns for town
government and the school department, as well as address FinCom's
concern of a lower tax levy cap and free cash position with the hopes of
starting to work together as a town.
Carol Grimm questioned, "Is there any chance of the lottery receipts being
more next year?" The Town Manager responded that there is a chance, but
we won't know until next year at this time. We are still hoping to have
the cap lifted by the Weld Administration.
Bill Murphy thanked Dr. Munnelly for the list he requested at the February
24, 1994 meeting, but it wasn't the right information he was looking for.
He requested a list of items budgeted, but not spent in FY92 and FY93 and
he received a list of spending decisions not budgeted.
Carol Grimm asked, "what are the state requirements for special
education?" Dr. Munnelly responded, "there are no state requirements we
are obligated to provide services included in the plans and we have to
f meet the needs of the plan." Amoung the services covered are nurses,
[`r medical staff and vans used for disabilities.
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March 7, 1994
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In the regular school budget we know how many students we have, but in
special education the amount can't be identified, due to a child moving
into the community and needing all kinds of service, that's why we need
"fluidity in the budget", stated Robin D'Antona. The state also requires
the town to provide special education for children ages 3 to 22.
Dr. Munnelly stated that if there is a surplus in their budget they will use
it towards boiler expenses.
Fred Van Magness said, at some point he would like to see an infusion of
cash from the School Department to free cash.
Robin D'Antona stated, "you should compliment the superintendent, for not
coming back to FinCom in 8 years asking for additional money."
At 9:25 p.m. the committee adjorned for a 5 minute recess.
Gerry MacDonald left the meeting.
At 9:30 p.m. the committee reconvened.
Discussions arose pertaining to the need of whether or not the school
department should hire a licensed electrician, which could be used for
town needs also. Jim Keigley stated, "When it comes to electricity there
is no room for error and I think it's a must." The budgeted amount is
$30,000 and other committee members didn't think that the electrical
needs each year would meet this.
Nate White questioned the reimbursements for the METCO Program. The
town receives $1 ,255 per student, that is just 25% of what it costs to
educate a student each year. "why should the taxpayers of Reading
subsidize the City of Boston by paying 75% of the cost to educate these
students, when we are hiring new teachers and adding on new classrooms
so not to have an increase in class size?"
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March 7, 1994
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"The flip side is we do this program or we don't, and if we don't, we don't
get the money and what would be the impact of that, where would the
$110,000 come from?" stated Liz Greene.
Dr. Munnelly stated, that he has written to Govenor Weld asking that the
per student amount be increased.
Fred Van Magness stated that this was a good session and we need to begin
balancing this budget. He requested the following adjustments be made:
Special Education salaries reduction of $20,849 (due to a mistake within
the budget), Custodian salary increases in the amount of $15,000,
Education assistance in the amount of $700, Early Retirement Incentive in
the amount of $50,000, Modems in the amount of $5,000 and $50,000 for
building maintenance. This would bring the School Department's Budget to
i $16,369,908.
Steve Blewitt stated that we just need to get a certain balance number,
not cut each individual item.
Fred Van Magness suggested to the committee to vote on the school
budget, discuss it further, or adjorn the meeting.
On motion by Carol Grimm seconded by Jim Keigley, the committee voted
to adjorn the meeting at 10:45 p.m., with a vote of 4-3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Zanni
Secretary