HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-18 Finance Committee MinutesRECEIVED
Town of Readin TOWN CLERK
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Finance Committee
Date: 2021-08-18 Time: 7:30 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Business Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Chair Ed Ross, Jeanne Borawski, Geoffrey Coram, Marianne Downing,
Jacqueline McCarthy, Joseph McDonagh, Andrew Mtlauchlan, Mark Zarrow
Members - Not Present:
Eric Burkhart
Others Present:
Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom,
Christopher Haley, Chuck Robinson, Shawn Brandt
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held remotely via Zoom.
Chair Ed Ross called the meeting to order at 7:31 pm.
Reoroanization:
Mr. Ross asked for nominations for Chair.
On a nomination by Mr. Coram, and seconded by Ms. Borawski, the Finance
Committee voted B -O -O to appoint Ed Ross as Chair.
Roll call vote: Marianne Downing -Yes, Joe McDonagh -Yes, Jackie McCarthy -Yes,
Geoffrey Coram -Yes, Mark Zarrow-Yes, Andrew Mclauchlan-Yes, Jeanne Borawski-
Yes, Ed Ross -Yes.
Mr. Ross then asked for nominations for Vice Chair.
On a nomination by Mr. Coram, and seconded by Mr. Ross, the Finance Committee
voted 8-0-0 to appoint Jeanne Borawski as Vice Chair.
Roll call vote: Marianne Downing -Yes, Joe McDonagh -Yes, Jackie McCarthy -Yes,
Geoffrey Coram -Yes, Mark Zarrow-Yes, Andrew Mclauchlan-Yes, Ed Ross -Yes,
Jeanne Borawski-Yes.
Liaison Assignments:
Mr. Ross welcomed newly appointed members Jackie McCarthy and Geoffrey Coram to the
Committee, then began the discussion for liaison assignments. He stated he hoped to begin
meetings with updates to keep the Finance Committee more informed as a body, then
asked all members If they had an interest In Ilaising for any specific boards or departments.
Following discussion, liaisons were assigned as:
• Jeanne Borawski: School Department and School Committee, Audit Committee
• Geoffrey Coram: School Department and School Committee
• Marianne Downing: Select Board, Public Services Department
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• Jackie McCarthy: Permanent Building Committee, RMLD
• Joe McDonagh: Library and Library Trustees, Permanent Building Committee
• Andrew Mclauchlan: Select Board, RMLD
• Ed Ross: Audit Committee, School Department and School Committee, and Select
Board
• Mark Zarrow: School Department and School Committee, Public Safety Department
Mr. Ross stated that he would reach out to Mr. Burkhart when he returns from vacation to
ask if he is still interested in continuing as liaison for DPW, Facilities, and Administrative
Services.
Discuss Aaenda for Financial Forum on Auaust 31a:
Town Manager Bob LeLacheur stated that the Financial Forum was suggested by Select
Board Chair Karen Herrick to discuss one-time expenses, that could be paid for with
approximately $7.5 million in anticipated federal funds. Good use for one-time expenses
can be capital, though not always, but It seemed like a good opportunity to review the
Capital Plan, which Is balanced against what the Finance Committee set a year ago. There
are a number of projects on the Capital Plan that are mostly recreational and athletic.
There is a small number of projects discussed In the community, for which not much cost or
options have been discussed, such as a community garden and a community compost
center. There are not yet clear guidelines on what the money can be spent on, or by when.
Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom stated that there does not seem to be a clear definition
yet of what the federal funds can be used for, but infrastructure seems to be a focus. She
has attended trainings that highlights the Intent of the funds, but does not have a
conclusive list of what Is Included. But, she will continue to research approved uses of the
funds and provide an update at the Financial Forum.
Mr. LeLacheur reviewed some projects that were prioritized with the School Department two
years ago that include: items on the Birch Meadow Master Plan, Coolidge field turf, and the
field house floor and bleachers. All items would be good candidates for extra funding, but it
would be helpful if the community could help prioritize the projects.
Mr. LeLacheur stated that he would like advice on performance contracting. There is $4.5
million already in the budget to spend on school and town buildings. The expense is needed
if Reading wants to join Green Communities. A requirement to join Green Communities is
to have a plan to reduce energy consumption by 20%. Due to the first phase of
performance contracting performed ten years ago, the Town already has a lower energy
use. The necessary replacement of some boilers is already in the capital plan, but adding
them to the Green Communities application will get a better price for the work. Though this
is a difficult decision, as there are already costs guaranteed through December, and the
breakeven for such Improvements may not be realized for 15-20 years. Mr. LeLacheur will
provide more information about Green Communities to the Committee prior to the Financial
Forum.
Other projects for consideration include: Police Station improvements, and the water tank
project. Once the Dispatch renovations are complete, Police Station Improvements will
Include the expansion space and the community room to provide more training space and
provide a walk-in space for Public Health and the Coalition. The scope of the water tank
project has increased, as there were more consulting hours than originally budgeted. There
is already $4.5 million borrowed for the project, and it will need a second borrowing. Bids
will be opened next month. Mr. LeLacheur stated that any of the projects discussed could
be funded with the federal money. Though he thinks the Police Station improvements and
Water Tower could go on the September Town Meeting warrant as a borrow article.
The Committee briefly discussed the current volatility of material pricing and procurement,
construction scheduling, supply chain, and availability of consultants when other
municipalities will also be receiving funds for their projects.
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Another topic that will be discussed at the Financial Forum will be use of Town -owned land
and needs and availability of land.
Discuss FY22 Meatina Schedule:
The Commission discussed scheduling around the upcoming Financial Forums, Special Town
Meeting in September, and Subsequent Town Meeting in November and agreed to meet on
the following dates:
• August 31u for Financial Forum I and vote on September Town Meeting Warrant
Articles
• September 13th
• September 30th to vote on November Town Meeting Warrant Articles
• October 20 or October 27th for Financial Forum II
• November 4th if needed
• December In if needed
Minutes for Approval: June 23. 2021:
Mr. Coram caught a spelling error in a name prior to the meeting (Healy was corrected to
Haley).
Ms. Borawski asked for clarification on the suggested liaison for the Retirement Board. Ms.
Angstrom noted that though she did not recall making the suggestion, a Finance Committee
Liaison to the Retirement Board would not be a bad idea. Past member, Peter Lydecker had
attended Retirement Board meetings when COLAs were discussed to get a better
understanding. But following the Audit Committee discussion of the last meeting, Mr. Ross
and Ms. Borawski agreed to speak about the Ilaison assignment offline.
On a motion by Ms. Borawski, and seconded by Ms. Downing, the Finance
Committee voted 6-0-1 to approve the meeting minutes of June 23, 2021.
Roll call vote: Marianne Downing -Yes, Joe McDonagh -Yes, Jackie McCarthy -Yes,
Geoffrey Coram -Abstain (as he was not a member of the Committee at the time of
the meeting), Jeanne Borawski-Yes, Ed Ross -Yes. Andrew Mclauchlan left the
meeting at 9:45 pm before this vote took place.
On a motion by Ms. Borawski, and seconded by Mr. Coram, the Finance Committee
voted 7-0-0 to adjourn at 9:59 pm.
Roll call vote: Marianne Downing -Yes, Joe McDonagh -Yes, Jackie McCarthy -Yes,
Geoffrey Coram -Yes, Mark Zarrow-Yes, Jeanne Borawski-Yes, Ed Ross -Yes.
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