HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-08-21 Finance Committee Minutes C�
Finance Committee Meeting
August 21,1996 U " ;i -p 'J 'Q0
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The Finance Committee met at 7:.00 p.m. in the Conference Room
at Town Hall. Present were Chairman Steve Blewitt, Vice
Chairman Jim Keigley, FinCom members Gerry MacDonald, Nate
White, Carol Grimm, Rocco Nenarella, Tom Green Jr. , Catherine
Martin, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and Secretary
Maureen Vierra. Also present were Beth Foley, Peter Simms,
Kathy Greenfield, Jack Russell, Jonathan Edwards, Virginia
Adams, Ruth Brophy, Tom Stohlman and Bob Hillard.
Approval of Minutes:
On a motion by Grimm seconded by MacDonald the Finance
Committee voted to approve the minutes of August 7, 1996 as
amended by a vote of 7/0/1 .
Action and Discussion Items
On a motion by Blewitt seconded by Keigley the Finance
Committee voted to approve the transfer of $1 , 285.00 from the
Reserve Fund to account # 01-031-5312 (Appraisal Services) by
a vote of 7/0/1 .
The Downtown Steering Committee gave a presentation to the
4 Finance Committee. They are asking the Town for $20,000.00
to help finance the hiring of a Facilitator. They anticipate
raising a total of $5,000.00 by soliciting donations from
local banks and residents. They are also planning
fund raisers such as a golf tournament and a band Concert. In
addition, they have received a verbal pledge of $5,000.00
from the Chamber of Commerce.
The Finance Committee voted on two additional items added to
Article 5. On a motion by MacDonald seconded by Nenarella
the Finance Committee voted to approve line Item G1 in the
amount of $2 ,000. 00 and Item N2 in the amount of $179,318 .00
(the 179, 318 .00 will come from the sewer reserve) by a vote
of 8/0/0 .
Liaison Reports :
The Capital Improvement Subcommittee met with the Town
Manager on August 19, 1996. They identified the areas in
which they would like to focus on for next years budget.
Those areas are: Coolidge Junior High School and Reading
High School. They plan to get an update on technology, the
Police station, the swimming pool and road projects. One
area which will be explored is can the town afford to
contribute money toward road work in addition to the money
available through Chapter 90. The next meeting is scheduled
for September 18th at Joshua Eaton (a tour by the
superintendent is scheduled) .
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Rocco Nenarella attended a meeting of the Solid Waste
Advisory Committee on August 14, 1996. They communicated
that during the forum held on July 2, they received alot of
negative feedback in regard to the pay as you throw program.
The Committee will consult with the Board of Selectmen on
September 3rd. They hope to obtain recommendations to how
they should proceed.
Jim Keigley and Rocco Nenarella met with School Committee
members Sue Cavicchi , Matt Cummings, Tom Stolhman and Harry
Harutunian to discuss several questions raised by the Finance
Committee at a previous meeting. One item discussed was the
pilot program allowing students of school employees to attend
Reading public schools. Although three people were
originally approved to participate in the program, only one
plans to participate in the program.
In response to the question as to why the discussion of Harry
Harutunian' s salary increase was not on the School
Committee ' s meeting agenda, it was learned that this was
scheduled to be discussed only in executive sess ' n.
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reorganization of personnel, with a fiscalnimpact of gi0
was implemented. 11
The Finance Committee adjourned at 10:30 p.m. The next
meeting is a joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen on
September 24, 1996 .
Respec ul��ly^^ submitted,
Steve B itt
Chairman