HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-18 Finance Committee Minutes 6 —O —U
Finance Committee MeetingLW
March 18, 1994
The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. in the conference room at 16 Lowell
Street, Reading, MA 01867. Present were Chairman Richard Coco; Vice
Chairman Fred Van Magness; FinCom members Jim Keigley, Nate White,
Gerry MacDonald, Carol Grimm, Steve Blewitt and Bill Murphy. Also
present were Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Munnelly; School
Committee Chairperson Robin D'Antona; School Committee Members Matt
Cummings, George Shannon and Tim Twoomey.
Chairman Richard Coco spoke on FinCom's behalf for the super job Jim
Keigley and the Capital Improvement Advisory Sub-Committee has done in
preparing the 10 year proposed Capital Plan and that they have done a
tremendous service for the Town of Reading.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Jim Keigley the committee
voted to support Warrant Article 16, which is the sale of the Reading
Municipal Light Department's Haven Street facility, with the condition
that the clause "such amount or larger amount" be deleted and substituted
with "for an amount not less than the appraised value. On motion by Fred
Van Magness seconded by Steve Blewitt the committee voted to amend the
main motion by adding the word "net" before amount paid. The main
motion was approved with a vote of 7-0-0. The amendment to the main
motion was approved with a vote of 4-3-0.
Fred Van Magness tried to arrive at a value without being arbitrary and
adjusted the school budget in the following order $2,215 for an
administrative assistant to record Minutes, $800 to reduce the Assistant
Superintendent of School's mileage, $700 for educational assistance,
$1,850 adjustment in salaries, $6,630 adjustment for salaries, $20,849
which was an error in the budget, $800 for tutors, $5,500 for computer
modems, $40,000 for hot top $50,000 for Early Retirement and a $10,000
reduction in administration. Fred Van Magness came up with a balance of
$16,362,113.
Steve Blewitt felt that this was a great package, but the problem with
this approach is that FinCom may argue each item.
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March 18, 1994
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On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Steve Blewitt the committee
voted to approve the school budget in the amount of $16,364,325 which
allows $2,212 in putbacks. The motion was approved with a vote of
7-1 -0.
Jim Keigley stated that in meeting with the Town Manager recently, he
would only expend the $500,000 in the tax levy only if necessary and he is
determined to stand by that decision.
Matt Cummings stated that the schools were suppose to receive over 1
million dollars to hold the schools harmless.
Fred Van Magness argued that the schools are getting a very good budget, 4
new teachers, the covering of teachers contracts, sick leave buy-back,
increase in maintenance, $75,000 for special development and he felt that
(�+ there were fair increases throughout the school budget.
The School Committee argued that FinCom stripped their budget for the
purpose of funding snow/ice. FinCom argued against this accusation and
as the discussion got heated, the committee voted to move the question
with a vote of 6-2-0.
George Shannon stated that there are more students to educate.
Matt Cummings stated that the final analysis is that the school budget is
being reduced to pay for FY94 snow/ice.
Bill Murphy stated that an electrician was added to the budget, which he
felt wouldn't save money.
Jim Keigley stated that safety issues should be a priority, regardless of
the cost and he feels having a full time electrician employed with the
town is essential.
Fred Van Magness stated that the town is giving the schools the money
they need.
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March 18, 1994
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Robin D'Antona stated that when you look at the notion of a level funded
budget, the level service was close to 7% for schools to maintain the same
level of service as the year before. If your talking a 4.2% increase we are
talking a cut in services which are not the same standards.
George Shannon questioned what the percentage increase was on the town
side of the budget.
FinCom reminded the School Committee that the town returns their
unexpended funds to free cash and the schools have not.
Chairman Richard Coco stated that traditionally Reading has funded their
schools well.
At this point Fred Van Magness adjusted the errors in the budget and an
additional $25,000.
Chairman Richard Coco stated that if the school committee receives
money from early retirement and school choice, they should use that
money to put their priorities back in their budget in ascending order.
Dr. Munnelly reminded FinCom of the boiler replacement, Warrant Article
11, and how FinCom didn't approve it.
Tim Twoomey felt his main message from this discussion was the
question of the $50,000 absorbed into the budget. He also claimed that he
did not see a service deduction with the town side of the budget, for
example, an additional police officer or additional hours at the library.
On motion by Jim Keigley seconded by Carol Grimm the committee voted to
reconsider the school Budget and vote on a figure of $16,389,384. The
motion was not approved on with a vote of 4-3-1 with Gerry MacDonald
abstaining.
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March 18, 1994
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Steve Blewitt was concerned with how this would be funded. There were
various responses; out of the levy, town priorities, school priorities or
free cash.
At 8:55 p.m. the committee adjorned for a short recess and reconvened at
9:05 P.M.
The Finance Committee reviewed and voted on town priorities individually.
Gerry MacDonald left the meeting at 9:40 p.m. for personal reasons.
Priority #1 - An additional Police Officer
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Bill Murphy the committee
voted to approve line item G-1 in the amount of $32,298 for personal
services in the Police Department. The motion was approved with a vote of
7-0-0.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Bill Murphy the committee
voted to approve line item G-2 in the amount of $525 for non-personal
expenses in the Police Department. The motion was approved with a vote
of 7-0-0.
Priority #2 - Head Dispatcher
On motion by Jim Keigley seconded by Steve Blewitt the committee voted
to approve line item G-7 in the amount of $22,732 for personal services in
the Police Department. The motion was approved with a vote of 4-2-1
with Bill Murphy abstaining.
On motion by Nate White seconded by Steve Blewitt the committee voted
to approve line item G-8 in the amount of $250 for non-personal expenses
in the Police Department. The motion was approved with a vote of 6-1-0.
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March 18, 1994
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Priority #3 - Assistant Town Clerk
On motion by Carol Grimm seconded by Nate White the committee voted to
approve line item D-12 in the amount of $2,000 for personal services in
the General Department. The motion did not pass with a vote of 1-6-0.
Priority #4 - Historical Archival Preservation
On motion by Bill Murphy seconded by Steve Blewitt the committee voted
to approve line item B-5 in the amount of $300 for non-personal expenses
for the Historical Commission. The motion did not pass with a vote of
3-4-0.
FinCom suggested that line item B-5 could be funded by a donation.
Priority #5 - Additional Clerical Support in the Community Development
Dept.
On motion by Nate White seconded by Jim Keigley the committee voted to
approve line item B-8 in the amount of $5,194 for personal services in the
Community Development Department. The motion was approved with a
vote of 5-2-0.
Priority #6 - Circulation Staffing at the Library
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Bill Murphy the committee
voted to approve line item F-i in the amount of $2,700 for personal
services in the Library Department. The motion was approved with a vote
of 7-0-0.
Priority #7 - Evening hours in the Children's Room at the Library
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Bill Murphy the committee
voted to approve line item F-1 in the amount of $1 ,607 for personal
f services in the Library. The motion did not pass with a vote of 1-6-0.
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March 18, 1994
Page #6
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Steve Blewitt the committee
voted to approve line item L-4 in the amount of $7,900, the motion was
withdrawn without a vote.
On the agenda for Monday, March 21 , 1994 meeting, FinCom will finish the
review and approval of warrant articles, vote the entire 10 year Capital
Plan and balance the budget.
The committee adjorned the meeting at 10:05 p.m. with a vote of 7-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisart'
Secretary