HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-06-07 Finance Committee Minutes L - • ' � Finance Co®ittee Meeting
ZIJune 7, 1995
The Finance Committee met at 7 : 30 p.m. in the Conference Room
at Town Hall. Present were Chairman Steve Blewitt, Vice
Chairman Jim Keigley, FinCom members Gerry MacDonald, Nate
White, Fred VanMagness, Dick Coco, Carol Grimm, Jerry Vitale,
Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and Secretary Maureen
Vierra. Also present were Robert Spadafora Jr. , Robin
D'Antona, Tom Stohlman, Matt Cummings, Susan Cavicchi, Dennis
Richards, Tim Twomey, Richard Foley, Beth Klepeis,Brock
Romano, Steve Crook, Randy Gonchar, and Maria Silvaggi .
Approval of Minutes:
On a motion by White seconded by MacDonald the Finance
Committee voted to approve the minutes of May 24, 1995 by a
vote of 5/0/2.
Liaison Reports:
Fred VanMagness reported on the 25 Haven Street Task Force.
The committee advertised the property in 9 independent
publications, provided site visits to interested parties, and
handed out 22 request for bid documents. Bids are currently
being collected and will be opened on June 15, 1995 at 11 :00
a.m.
Steve Blewitt reported on the Police Station Renovation
Committee. The original projected cost for renovations of
$1 . 5 million has increased to approximately $3 .5 million.
The architect' s cost assessment was based on similar work
done for other communities. The committee will report their
findings to the Board of Selectmen on June 14, 1995.
Appointment of Audit Committee Members:
On a motion by MacDonald seconded by VanMagness Carol Grimm
was nominated to serve on the Audit Committee for the term
ending June 30, 1996.
On a motion by White seconded by Keigley the nominations were
closed and Carol Grimm was appointed to the Audit Committee
by a vote of 8/0/0.
On a motion by VanMagness seconded by MacDonald Steve Blewitt
was nominated to serve on the Audit Committee for the term
ending June 30, 1998 .
On a motion by White seconded by Keigley the nominations were
closed and Steve Blewitt was appointed to the Audit Committee
by a vote of 8/0/0.
The Finance Committee currently has three new vacancies and
is reviewing one re-election. Steve Blewitt is planning to
meet with the applicants on June 20, 1995 at 6:30 p.m. He
Le requested input from the Finance Committee members.
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Action and Discussion Items:
Le
Steve Blewitt asked the Finance Committee to evaluate the
effectiveness of the Capital Improvement Sub-committee. This
subject will be discussed in more detail at a future meeting.
Steve Blewitt distributed a draft of ideas and goals for the
Finance Committee in order to improve the budget review
process. In addition to getting an earlier start on
complicated items, he recommended keeping the public and Town
Meeting members better informed about the Finance Committee ' s
concerns and recommendations. Suggestions were requested
from Committee members and this item will be discussed in
more detail at a future meeting.
On a motion by VanMagness seconded by MacDonald the Finance
Committee voted to recommend under Article 4, to increase
Item J1 in the FY95 budget by $250,000.00, funding to come
from the free cash account, with the provision that there be
no expenditure by the Administration or the School Committee
between now and the close of the 1995 fiscal year for items
other than operating activities and that there are no
advanced purchases or commitments for FY 96 with the FY 95
funds. This motion was approved by a vote of 6/0/0.
On a motion by MacDonald seconded by Blewitt the Finance
Committee voted to recommend tabling Article 5 by a vote of
6/0/0.
On a motion by VanMagness seconded by MacDonald the Finance
Committee voted to recommend, under Article 4, an increase to
Line Item M1 (Water salaries) in the amount of $34,000.00 .
This motion was approved by a vote of 6/0/0.
On a motion by VanMagness seconded by Keigley the Finance
Committee voted to recommend, under Article 4, a decrease to
Line Item M2 (Water expense) in the amount of $34,000.00.
This motion was approved by a vote of 6/0/0.
On a motion by VanMagness seconded by MacDonald the Finance
voted to recommend the subject matter of Article 6, subject
to state funding� by a vote of 6/0/0.
On a motion by VanMagness seconded by MacDonald the Finance
Committee voted to recommend the subject matter of Article 1
( at the special Town Meeting "B" to be held at 8 : 30 P.M. ) in
the amount of $437,855.00 by a vote of 6/0/0.
A motion was made by Coco seconded by MacDonald to request
that the Finance Committee direct the Audit Committee to
direct Peat Marwick to complete an audit of the Reading
School Department to the same level of invoice tracking as
used to complete the audit of the Town of Reading.
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An amended motion was made by Blewitt and seconded by Keigley
to have the Finance Committee direct Peat Marwick to focus on
the School Department while conducting the Town Audit. This
motion was approved by a vote of 6/0/0.
On a motion by VanMagness seconded by MacDonald the Finance
Committee adjourned at 10:35 p.m. The next regular meeting
of the Finance Committee is scheduled for June 28 , 1995 at
7 : 30 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Vierra
Secretary