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Home My WebLink About1988-03-10 Finance Committee Minutes \ Finance Committee Minutes 3/10/88 Present: Allen, Harrison, MCMeniman, Mucci, Haskell, Greene Absent: Catalfemo, Burdett, Lynch Call to Order: 7:40 p.m. The Chairman has received a letter and the FY89 budget proposal from the North East Regional vocational School Committee. Due to time constraints of the Fin Com and difficulty in scheduling a meeting with the North East Committee, the chairman doubted that we would be able to - have them before us prior to the close of the warrant. The budget proposes a cost to Reading of $209, 642.55 out of a total budget of $8,900, 000. The Chairman then distributed for committee review, his most recent budget calculations. He also distributed a draft of the Finance ,41 Committee Report to be included in the warrant. He asked that members comment and make changes that are necessary. The Chairman explained to the Committee several calculations he had made regarding the Pearl St. School/Town Hall expansion options. There are a variety of issues that will need to be decided -- all of which are predicated on the decisions which the School committee makes about the Pearl St. School (including releasing it to the selectmen for sale or renovation. Town Meeting could also still decide to keep town government in the center of town by renovating the current facilities. The chairmarrs calculations used several scenarios which showed the fiscal impact to the town if we use cash from the Real Estate Fund or (60 bond the projects leaving the fund intact. The Chairman raised the issue of the sale of the of the Bear Hill site. As there is an article on the warrant to rescind the decision to allow the selectmen to sell this site, he wanted to remind the members that all of our fiscal impact budget calculations this year have included the potential revenue from this site. - The Chairman reminded the committee of the Fin Com tradition in the past to present the former Chairman with a gift of appreciation. He will purchase a gavel and solicited contributions from the members. The committee them moved on to the budget and warrant articles scheduled for review. o Library budget o Articles 4, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22 , 23, 24, 25, 26, 28 and 31 The Town Manager gave an overview of the Library budget. The budget is basically the same as last year's budget. The staff levels remain the same as well as the overall member of staff. 1y, f Library Director, Susan Flannery gave an overview of the NOBLE system `W and the reasons for the increase in this item. This program, the North of Boston Library Exchange is a consortium of 17 communities who share and exchange library resources for their patrons. It greatly expands the resources available to each community. The system was originated in the Peabody Library where the administrative costs for the system have .-. been managed. A change in leadership in Peabody has resulted in the - participating towns needing to assume a greater share of the _ administrative cost. Members questioned Ms. Flannery on this issue, Revenues from Library fines and xerox machine as well as longevity benefits for the staff. These were answered to the communities satisfaction. - Motion to approve Libra budget pp Library g personal in the amount of $333,276 approved 5-0-1 (Harrison) ; motion to approve Librarybudgetnon personal - expenses including out of state travel not to exceed $1500 in the amount. of $107,986.000 approved 6-0-0. The committee then moved on to the warrant articles to be reviewed and voted. L Since one citizen Mr. William Brown was present in Articles 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, the committee began the discussion with them. - CThe chairman suggested that we review them as a group as they are contingent on each other as well as being predicated on the School committee releasing the Pearl St. school to the Selectmen. _ The Articles generated much discussion. Mr. Brown voiced his support for the Pearl St. school option. The Manager gave and overview of the potential modification that would be needed at Pearl St. as well as restated the need for improved town government space and the inadequacy of the current arrangements. After discussing the pros and cons and relswing the potential costs of the projects, the majority of the committee voted in favor of the Pearl St. option (contingent on School committee action) . In the case that the school committee does not release the Pearl St. school for possible municipal use, the committee voted to approve the copplete town hall renovation at $4M rather then the $430. 000 repair package. The votes were as follows: Article 15 approved subject matter 6-0-0 Article 16 approved subject matter 6-0-0 Article 17 approved subject matter 6-1-0 Article 18 approved $4, 000.000 6-0-0 (assuming article 16 fails) Article 19 Approved $125, 000 5-1-0 (assuming article 16 fails) 4W The committee then moved to the Human services division budgets Health Department Elder Services Veterans Services " Recreation Department General Department The Town Manager gave an overview of the Division: o increase in clerical staff for the general department o additional hours for Health Dept. inspectors - _ 0 758 of veterans benefits are reimbursed by the state The committee asked how one town employee could be on 2 payrolls at the same time - as is the case with Recreation Director/ High school gym teacher. The manager explained that the emphasis of work hours in both areas are different and allow this. He agreed to double check any statutory problems with this arrangement. Member Harrison voiced - concern about the costs vs efficiency of the mail out/recreation/needs assessment. He felt that few responses would be received. The committee had a lengthly discussion about the custodial costs of the . basketball program which were confusing in the budget presentation. The - Recreation Director and Town Manager were able to clarify the confusion. The Human Services Division director reminded the committee that it was important to keep the integrity of the out of state travel for the Health Director. She was concerned that the link to the Health Director would be lost by putting these funds into the Generai Department. The committee botes follow: Health Department Personal $32,886 8-0-0 Non Personal $42,668 7-1-0 Hazardons Waste $12,000 8-0-0 r Elder Services Personal $61, 029 8-0-0 Non Personal $18,064 8-0-0 441/ Veterans Benefits low Personal $11,560 8-0-0 Aid $20,000 8-0-0 Other $ 1,330 8-0-0 Recreation Personal $57,081 8-0-0 Non Personal $27, 350 8-0-0 General Department Personal $70,940 8-0-0 _ OOS Travel not to exceed $ 1200 7-1-0 - - - The committee moved onto the Cemetery budget. Mr. Amon proviced an overview -- - o the Cemetery board may need more land in 7-8 years o lots cost $400 ($225 to Bequest Fund and $175 to Sale of Lots Fund) o they also maintain an encumbrance to purchase graves - which families want to re-sell to the cemeteary 4W Trusties. o costs are reviewed every 2 years Member Hashell asked if the DPW could repair the Laurel Hill Cemetery wall. The Town Manager said DPW not staffed to do this - it would be - better to contract. The committee discussed whenther the $45. 000 Capital Development line is - double budgeting. The cemetery trustees will pay the DPW - but what if the DPW can't come thru with the work. This issue was resolved by '- voting the expense as is - and asking the Town Manger to show intra— department ntradepartment income in the next fiscal year budget. The votes follow: Personal $151,230 8-0-0 Non Personal $28,087 8-0-0 Capital Dev. $57,000 8-0-0 The Committee proceeded to review the Department of Public Works budget. Mr. McIntire provided an overview. The Buiding Maintenance Department continues with the same number of staff; there have been some increases in costs because of the new building and some increases due to asbestos removal; they plan to re-bid the Library roof as the lowest bid came in higher then the appropriation. Member Hashell asked about theincrease in heating costs and wants to know why; also questions the urgency of the asbestos removal from town buildings. The Town Manager said that until we know which buildings will be sold, we must planonthe removal from all of these buildings currently in use. In reviewing the Waste Collection budget, Member Has$ell asked what _.. amount of money did the Town receive with the Vining Trash Disposal settlement? The Town Manager explained that there has been a group - organized by Mayors and Town officials from towns served by the RESCO contract. They well be meeting with the MMA to work out plans to deal with Waste collection during the RESCO plant shut down. He also noted that RESCO must submit their plans to DEQE for approval. The votes follow: Snow and Ice $153, 005 Hashell amends $250,005 1-7-0 Main motion $153, 005 7-1-0 - Public Works Personal $1,239,767 8-0-0 Non Personal $1,445,813 8-0-0 including OOS Travel not to exceed $1400 Allen amends $1,435,813 - to net out $10,000 for maintenance of the dump Haskell amends $1,416,213 - to delete $19, 600 from utilities 6-2-0 Main motion $1,416,213 7-1-0 Capital $589,400 Hasllell amends $549,400 - to delete asbestos costs 6-2-0 Main motion $549,400 8-0-0 Water budget 1,406, 861 Mucci amends to include 8-0-0 OOS travel not to exceed $900 Capital $306, 00 8-0-0 Sewer budget 1, 615, 929 8-0-0 including OOS Travel not to exceed $1120 Adjourned 12: 15 a.m. i �, �_