HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-02-01 Finance Committee Minutes _ C.J
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Finance Committee Meeting
February 1, 1995 FEB 15 8 3u Gii '45
The Finance Committee met at the Pleasant Street Police
Station at 7:00 p.m. Present were Chairman Richard Coco,
Vice Chairman Fred VanMagness, FinCom members Gerry
MacDonald, Jim Keigley, Nate White, Carol Grimm, Gerry
Vitale, Bill Murphy, Steve Blewitt and Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner. A tour of the Police Station was provided by
Chief Marchand, Lieutenant Silva, and Officer Peoples. The
meeting resumed at 8 :00 p.m. in the Conference Room at Town
Hall . Also present were Maria Silvaggi from the Reading
Times Chronicle, School Committee members Matthew Cummings
and Tom Stohlman.
After touring the Police Station, several FinCom members
expressed their feelings about the need for improvements to
the current facility or to explore the possibility of moving
the Police Station to a new location. Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner hopes to have an architect to look at the
property within a month or so. In addition, a building
committee will be formed to look at all options and
alternatives .
Approval of Minutes
On a motion by MacDonald seconded by Keigley the minutes of
January 18, 1995 were approved as amended by a vote of 7/0/1
with VanMagness abstaining.
Liaison Reports
Fred VanMagness reported on the RMLD 25 Haven Street Sale
Task Force. Request for re-bids are due back the week of
February 19th. The same guidelines apply with one major
change. The appraised value is a now a public document
whereas previously it was not.
Jim Keigley reported on the Capital Improvement Sub
Committee. He received a response back from the School
Department on their opinion of the Capital Plan, however, has
not had a chance to review it. A copy was given to Chairman
Dick Coco. Jim did some research on Reading' s likelihood of
receiving Federal Grants. He feels Reading will not meet the
basic eligibility standards . He provided his findings to the
Finance Committee members. He believes we should continue to
explore grants and other opportunities but does not want us
to consider these funds as projected available revenue. It
was recommended that we look at other communities similar to
the demographics of Reading before hiring a grant writer
which is not in the current budget .
Nate White reported on the School Department. A request was
made by the School Department to get an article on Town
warrant so they can hire an architect to look at the High
School renovations . There is no price tag attached to this
request at this time.
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Chairperson Judy Leblanc was joined by President Nancy
Radville, Kathy Mandolese, and Steve Conner from
Understanding Handicaps. They have requested $15,000 per
year to hire a part-time Administrator to keep the program
running as Judy will not be able to maintain her present role
within the organization. They provided FinCom with a package
which explains the program. This position would run 42 weeks
a year and approximately 20 hours per week. Benefits are not
being offered. President Nancy Radville is being considered
for the position, if the funds are approved, because she has
the background and can provide continuity within the program.
Chairperson Nancy Eaton was joined by several members of the
Open Space Task Force. Present were Biller, Hulse, Chapman,
MacDonald, Mcgrath, Anthony, and Nodeau. They are requesting
funds to purchase open space which includes bike trails,
recreational fields, and hiking trails. She provided a map
of protected and unprotected space currently owned by the
Town. They need to provide an updated plan every five years
in order to be eligible for State Grants. We are not
eligible at this time, the next round of Grant applications
are due June 1 , 1995 .
Capital Plan Review
The Capital Plan review board has received feed back from the
School Committee, the Selectmen, and Fred VanMagness . FinCom
has not provided formal feedback as yet. Chairman Dick Coco
stated the Finance Committee role is to present a Financial
Plan that the Town can afford. On a motion by Grimm seconded
by Blewitt the it was decided FinCom would like to recommend
the removal of the dollar figures from line item CD-C1 and
CD-C2 for the purchase and maintenance of open space lands.
They would like the line item to remain for conceptual
reasons. This was approved by a vote of 5/3/0. On a motion
by Grimm seconded by Blewitt, the Finance Committee
recommended the removal of the dollar figures from line item
PW-P-5 for the Swimming Pool Reconstruction. This was
approved by a vote of 4/3/1 .
The next scheduled meeting for the Finance Committee is
February 13, 1995 at 7: 00 p.m. in the Selectman ' s Meeting
Room at Town Hall .
On a motion by White Seconded by Keigley the meeting was
adjourned at 10: 27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Mauree� ���
Secretary