HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-04-07 Finance Committee Minutes Finance Committee Meeting
April 7, 1994
The meeting was convened at 7 : 30 p.m. in the Lecture Hall at
Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA.
Present were Chairman Dick Coco, Vice Chairman Fred Van Magness,
Fincom members Nate White, Steve Blewitt, Gerry MacDonald, Jim
Keigley, Carol Grimm, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Finance
Director Beth Klepeis, Superintendent of Schools Bob Munnelly,
and the following list of interested parties: Carol Trodella,
Jackie Mandell, E James Roscoe, Thomas J. Green Jr. , Stephen
Crook.
The purpose of this meeting was to give Town Meeting Members a
preview of the Capital Improvements Program and the Budget.
There were six Town Meeting Members in addition to the Finance
Committee members and staff.
The Town Manager reviewed the Capital Improvements Program and
the financing plan for it. The Town Manager then reviewed the
proposed FY95 budget. The Superintendent of Schools reviewed the
School portions of the FY95 budget.
The Finance Committee then reviewed Article 11. On motion by Van
Magness seconded by Keigley the Board voted to reconsider Article
11 by a vote of 6-1-0 with Blewitt voting against. The School
,v Committee members presented material that indicated that a
central heating plant at the Birch Meadow complex to heat the
Birch Meadow School, Coolidge Middle School, and Reading Memorial
High School, would cost in the area of $1. 8 million. In addi-
tion, it would have to be a high pressure steam system and the
operating costs would be in the area of $100, 000 to $135, 000 per
year for staff who are certified to operate a high pressure steam
system.
on motion by Van Magness seconded by MacDonald the Board voted to
approve the subject matter of Article 11 in the amount of
$172 , 000 by a vote of 6-1-0 with Blewitt opposed. Concern had
been expressed by MacDonald and Blewitt that the data was incom-
plete and there should be additional operating savings. Keigley
indicated that the Town did not have the bonding capability to
handle a central project at this time, rather than handling two
boilers a year every other year.
On motion by Van Magness seconded by Keigley the Finance Com-
mittee voted to adjourn at 9:05 p.m. by a vote of 7-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
' secretary