HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-11-07 Finance Committee Minutes MINUTES OF THE
FINANCE COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 7, 1988
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Donald Allen at 7:30 P.M.
This meeting was held in the Employee Lounge of Reading Town Hall .
Members Present: Donald Allen, Chairman
Charles Catalfamo
Paul Devlin
R. Taft Porter
Randolph Harrison, Jr.
Dean Haskell
Elizabeth Greene
.Brian McMenamin, Vice Chairman
Others Present: Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager
Reading Fire Chief, Redfern
John Price, Former Selectman
Paul Landers, Selectman
James Stevenson, Firefighters Assoc.
Ralph Barcroft
Bill Brown
Joanne Nickerson, Conservation Conan.
I. ACTION ITEMS:
Warrant Articles
Plans were outlined by Town Manager Hechenbleikner of the cost analysis
of constructing a new fire station. Mr. John Price, Former Selectman gave
a cost analysis of Central Station V S Two-Station concept.
Dean Haskell interjected comments on the pricing presented and debate
followed. Peter Hechenbleikner then followed with discussion on drawings
of plans for fire station alternatives from architect's drawings that were
proposed.
Following this, a statement was read by Fireman James Stevenson in
agreement that a new fire station is most necessary. The choice of plans
of a station that is the choice of Reading Firefighters' Association is to
have a Woburn Street Station intact (Woburn Street Station would be allowed
to remain open) - and have a new 3-bay station built on the Main Street site.
Commentary by Randy Harrison ensued. He questioned where the firefighters
were going to park their autos and also the administrative vehicles? It
seems as if parking under the building makes sense to Harrison. Underground
parking gives lE employee parkinq spaces and the change of shift feasibility.
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November 7, 1988 Minutes of Reading Finance Committee. . .
Fire Chief supported the underground parking. Mr. Harrison then questioned
where other alternative parking would be. Members responded that Union St.
had parking available - but Peter Hechenbleikner suggested this was a van-
dalous area to choose to park municipal vehicles. R. Taft Porter then
asked about traffic and shift changes
Mr. Allen encouraged the Finance Committee to ask questions at this
time:
Liz Greene: convinced by discussions/reports, no further questions.
Charles Catalfamo: asked about dollars in parking/no parking
Paul Devlin: passed to Dean Haskell.
Dean Haskell : mode of operation of safety for the entire Town/5-bay
station.
Randy Harrison: no comments.
R. Taft Porter: fiscal irresponsibility on how the Town will pay for this
fire station addition.
Don Allen: commented on savings on all of the plans presented. He
then announced that we cannot put a price on the health and
safety of our neighbors.
Brian McMenamin: commented that he has a problem with some of the Town's
figures.
Mr. Price then directed comments on more thoughts on roadblocks to an-
swering emergency calls when only one Main Street firestation exists. The
firefighters, themselves, want 2 fire stations in the Town - they still pre-
fer that Woburn Street station be left open.
Motion: Brian McMenamin moved to approve budget
of Article 4 in the amount of $3million,
250,000.
Dean Haskell seconded the motion
No vote taken on this motion. Another motion followed:
Motion: Dean Haskell motioned to approve=in the
amount of $2 million, 250,000 for a
three-bay station, without parking.
Brian McMenamin seconded this motion.
L Motion is now on the floor to approve acceptance of Article 4 for $2M,250.
�I Vote: 3 - 5 - 0 opposed
Another motion followed:
Motion: To amend 3-bay with garage in the amount
of $2 million, 500,000, with other station
November 7, 1988 Minutes of Reading Finance Committee. . .
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staying open, as well as Main Street.
Vote: 5 - 3 - 0 Main Motion
Another motion to follow:
Main Motion: To recommend a three-bay station with
garage for $2 million, 500,000 and
keep West Street Station open.
Vote: 6 - 2 - 0 accepted
After this Article, a 15 minute break .
II. MEETING RESUMED AT 9:30 P.M.
Warrant Articles
Article 24
Health Insurance Benefits
Mr. Hechenbleikner explained that the proposal provides different premiums
for retirees than employees. Coverage on all of the health plans, including
Blue Cross/Blue Shield and the H M 0's were explained in detail . Lahey,
Bay State, Harvard are the H M 0 's in Town of Reading. The main issue
is to try to share insurance costs GF-emptGyets fes. evc.. ly kw. l C"?I•Y.0
Discussion followed between Mr. McMenamin and Mr. Hechenblleikner re-
garding who would have authority to change "home rule petition". The
discussion then was open with Peter Hechenbleikner and Finance Committee
on the various plans - and what employees pay - what Town pays. Debate
went on for some time to follow.
It was decided that Finance Committee member Robert Mucci will sit in
on meetings on Town Health Insurance and will report to the Committee his
findings.
Randy Harrison feels that a major piece of information is missing in
regard to Blue Cross/Blue Shield Master Medical and Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Master Health with regard to prolonged illness conditions.
Motion: Brian McMenamin motioned to approve
` Article 24 as it appears.
Liz Greene seconded the motion.
Vote: No vote - original motion withdrawn
and tabled.
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