The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1988-11-30 Finance Commitee Minutes l[( MINUTES OF THE READING FINANCE COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 30, 1988 The meeting was held in Room lE of Town Hall and was called to order by Chairman Donald Allen at 7:30 P.M. Members Present: Donald Allen Chairman Brian McMenamin, Vice Chairman Charles Catalfamo Elizabeth C,reene Dean Haskell '•'r`r Robert Mucci Others Present: Peter Hechenbleikner, Toon Manager I. GENERAL DISCUSSION : NEWS ARTICLE Chairman Allen read aloud the Reading news commentary of this week' s Town newspaper, suggesting the possibility of the Finance Committee acquiring volunteers from within their group to deal with motions set forth at Town Meetina. If said motions are made, vol- unteers from the Finance Committee may be asked to participate with associated committees. Also suggested in this news article was the possibility of Town Manager and Finance Committee determining a Master Plan. II. A C T I O N I T E M S A. WARRANT ARTICLES Article 10 Fundina Salary Expenses The Chairman offered the floor to the Town Manager who then pre- sented report breakdown of accounts to be salaries in the budget under this Article. Mr. Hechenbleikner commented that a tentative settle- ment is in the works for the clerical workers in town. In this ten- tative agreement, longevity will be abandoned and establishment of a Merit System will prevail in the three-year package. -1- Minutes of November 30, 1988 Finance Committee SALARY INCREASES/CLERICAL 5% - 1989 4% - 1990 4% - 1991 Basically, this system will be implemented by takinq workers on longevity to a "next step raise". A one-step move will be 4%. In the first year of this proposed package, the plan will be more costly - due to outgo of longevity. The plan suggests buying-out longevity costs for this first year. It was established that the Clerical Union is the only unit which has a grading system now in existence. Voting on this proposal shall take place at next Town Meeting on Monday, December 5, 1988. The vote is for a three-year package. Ensuing discussion of the Committee shared report figures between Mr. Hechenbleikner and commentary from Dean Haskell . Dean Haskell spoke in favor of this plan as making some "good sense". Donald Allen then delved into the figures with all Committee. The issue of elected officials' salary raises was then questioned by Mr. Haskell , who feels that increases in salary should evoke when officials are elected, not when in office. DPW package was brought into discussion, the topic of uniforms now in question. Explanation was set forth by Mr. Hechenbleikner. The total package of Department of Public Works would allow for a Winter/ Summer Town uniform to be worn by workers for control of wearing apparel as a management perspective. The D P W workday modified to 7:00A.M. - 3:00 P.M. with 1/2 hour lunch break and 15 minute coffee break - on site. This is an effort to build a cohesive department. Reading currently employs 45 workers in total on the D P W. A resumation of complete departmental salary breakdowns was presented by Peter Hechenbleikner. fir' Motion: Brian McMenamin moved to allow Finance Committee to approve breakdown depart- mental salaries as listed in Town Maraaer's report, excluding School Department budget, in the amount of $365,191. -2- Minutes of November 30, 1988 Finance Committee �✓ Liz Greene seconded motion. Vote: 5 - 2 - 0 to approve. B. Special Warrant Article 5 Bear Hill Proposal Brian McMenamin suggested that the Finance Committee may take a stand on the issue of the Bear Hill Site. Robert Mucci declined to agree, stating that now is not the time to take a position, since article was a zoning issue on which, initially, the Finance Committee did not take a stand. More conversation ensued between Committee and Don Allen asked committee for a vote of this reconsideration. Vote: 4 Dean Haskell - CDPC presentation sufficient to support R. Taft Porter - inappropriate at this time 9 Robert Mucci - inappropriate at this time Charles Catalfamo - only interested in revenue back to the Town from this proposal exploration, with provisions set by CDPC • Elizabeth Greene - no stand e Donald Allen - no stand at this time Don Allen then reminded Committee that the option was offered ini- tially to render a Finance Committee opinion and was not accepted. Motion: Dean Haskell moved to motion that Finance Committee's opinion on Article V is in support of decisions of CDPC's original presentation. Seconded by Brian McMenamin. Vote: 4 - 1 - 2 4W III. AD(WOURNMENT : Meeting was adjourned by 9:00 p.m. with a motion from Brian McMenamin and seconded by Dean Haskell . Res ectfully s bmitted, -3- Finn> Secretary