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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-03-05 Finance Committee Minutes FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING March 5, 1987 The meeting was called to order by Chairman O'Leary at 7:35 p.m, in Room 16 of the Town Hall. Members in attendance were Allen, Burditt, Catalfamo, Greene, Harrison, and McMenamin. Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner was also present. Chairman of the Board of Appeals, John Jarema, was present to request a Reserve Fund Transfer in the amount of $1840 for 16 hearings @ $90 and 2 hearings @ 200. Mr. Jarema indicated that the budget for Board of Appeals has been level-funded for the past three years, thereby necessitating Reserve Fund Transfers on an annual basis. Mr. Jarema estimated the average number of hearings to be about 40, with two-thirds at a cost of $90 and the remainder requiring twice that amount. He sees the number of cases escalating in the future. The Town Manager informed the Committee that the FY B8 budget request for the Board of Appeals is $4300, versus $2500 in FY 87. It was moved and seconded to TRANSFER FROM THE RESERVE FUND to the Board of Appeals expense account the amount of $1840.00. VOTE: 5:0:1 (Burditt). Vote carried Chairman O'Leary then announced to the Committee the final figures from the Cherry Sheet. The total State aid to Reading will be $6,909,024 for FY 88, up $400,817 from FY 87. After deducting increases of $53,345 in assessments, the net increase in State aid is $347,472. Regarding the Audit Committee policy draft, Chairman O'Leary will pursue the definition of a standing committee with Town Counsel Ted Cohen prior to voting on the policy. He expects to have an answer prior to next Tues- day' s meeting. The business of the meeting was then turned over to the Town Manager who presented the Public Safety budgets. He provided the Committee with the pages previously missing from the budget package, i.e. , Police salary and wage summary. The Police Dept. budget was reviewed first with Chief Marchand present to answer questions. The Town Manager and the Chief reviewed the Personnel quotas and figures. FY 87 had budgeted for (not filled) 45 positions. FY 88 proposed budget calls for a total of 44 positions which would increase by one the number of men on the street since two of last year' s positions were not filled. One patrolman would move up to Sargeant and one new patrolman added. The bottom line for the salary account, including over- time, holiday and longevity payments would be $1,555,427. The total police budget including expenses equal $1,776,014. Fin Com members questioned the new program request for accreditation in the amount of $7500. Chief Marchand told the Committee that the program is a high priority for his department and that the program should bring benefits in the area of insurance premiums. He estimated that there are about 50 towns going through the accreditation process right now with 3 towns having passed the test. The chief did say that a telephone recording Fin Com page two March 5, 1987 Machine (priority 63 for new program requests) is a requirement for accreditation. It was moved and seconded to APPROVE the Police Department budget in the amount of $1, 797, 890. VOTE: 7:0:0 Vote carried After the above vote, Chairman O'Leary pointed out to the Committee that it might be preferable to vote the budget categories separately, i.e, , salary, expense, out of state travel, and capital expense. Thus, if any Committee member has a problem with a particular category he would not have to vote against the whole budget. The Town Manager and Fire Chief Redfern then presented the Fire Department budget. The Town Manager told the Committee that the Fire Dept. did not provide for medical exams as did the Police and thus would like to add $1000 to the budget for physicals for new fire fighters. Regarding the line item "Night Differential" , Chief Redfern answered that this item was new in last year's contracts. Since all men in the Dept work nights except the Chief, this category is divided by all men in the department, providing them with a pay increase above salaries and overtime. Regarding the overtime account, which is down from last year, The Chief said the funds should be adequate if the department has a typical year. It was moved and seconded to APPROVE the Fire Dept. salary account in the amount of $1, 608,445. VOTE: 7:0:0 Vote carried It was moved and seconded to APPROVE the Fire Dept. expense account in the amount of $73,795. VOTE: 7:0:0 Vote carried It was moved and seconded to APPROVE the Fire Dept. Capital Outlay budget of $10,000. VOTE: 7:0:0 Vote carried It was moved and seconded to APPROVE the Fire Dept. Out-of-State Travel account in the amount of $1,200. VOTE: 7:0:0 Vote carried The Hazardous Waste budget was then reviewed. It was moved and seconded to APPROVE the Hazardous WasteExpense account in the amount of $12,000. VOTE: 7: 0:0 Vote carried Fin Com page three March 5, 1987 It was moved and seconded to APPROVE the Animal Control salary budget in the amount of $15,590. VOTE: 6: 0:1 (Allen) Vote carried It was moved and seconded to APPROVE the Animal Control expense budget in the amount of $5,850. VOTE: 6:0:1 (Allen) Vote carried It was moved and seconded t0 APPROVE the Animal Control Capital Outlay budget in the amount of $11,000. It was moved to amend the Capital outlay budget to $8,000. (not seconded) VOTE: 6:1:0 Vote carried The Emergency Management budget was taken up next. It was moved and seconded to APPROVE the Emergency Management Salary account in the amount of $1,050. VOTE: 7:0:0 Vote carried It was moved and seconded to APPROVE the Emergency Management Expense account in the amount of $1,150. VOTE: 7:0:0 Vote carried Chairman O'Leary told the Committee that he spoke with Dr. Wells recently about the possibility of putting the Special Needs budget increase ($214,000) in the Reserve Fund to be transferred over over to the School Dept. on a as needed basis. The School Committee will be present on Tuesday March 10 for their budget hearing at which time the Special Needs budget can be discussed further. Regarding other departments' budgets, Chairman O'Leary indicated that he is uncomfortable with having the utility billing under the Finance Dept. especially in view of the new charter mandate which calls for combining of the positions of Tax Collector and Treasurer. He sees a lack of "checks and balances. " The Town Manager will get an opinion from the auditors. He added that the attempt at putting the utility billing with the Finance Dept. was because it was a major billing and not a Public Works function. The Chairman reminded the Committee that on Tuesday night (3/10) the School Committee will be here. The Finance Dept. budgets will be reviewed if time permits. Regarding the warrant articles, the Town Manager will start pullingrnrO information on them by Tuesday so that the Committee may begin to take action. It was moved and seconded to adjourn at 10:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, aW � /ate Ann D. Hale, Clerk