HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-01-18 Finance Committee Minutesorq�a
Town of Reading
?- , Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Finance Committee
Date: 2023-01-18 Time: 6:00 PM
Building:
Reading Town Hall
Location: Select Board Meeting Room
Address:
16 Lowell Street
Session: Open Session
Purpose:
General Business
Version: Final
Attendees:
Members - Present:
Chair Ed Ross, Vice Chair Jeanne Borawskl, Joe Carnahan, Geoffrey Coram,
Marianne Downing, Joe McDonagh (6:05 pm), Emily Sisson (remote), Mark
Zarrow
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom, Town Manager Fidel Maltez
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held in the Town Hall Select Board Meeting Room and remotely via Zoom
Chair Ed Ross called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm.
Roll Call: Jeanne Borawskl, Geoffrey Coram, Joe Carnahan, Mark Zarrow, Marianne
Downing, Emily Sisson (remote), and Ed Ross.
Liaison Reports:
Jeanne Borawskl shared that the School Committee has held their budget meetings over the
last few weeks, and held a public hearing as part of their budget process.
Joe Carnahan noted that the Reading Municipal Light Department Board of Commissioners
and Advisory Board are holding a Joint meeting to decide on rates for next year.
Emily Sisson stated that Recreation is getting quotes for Birch Meadow Phase I, which are
coming in higher than budgeted.
Marianne Downing stated that the Reading Center for Active Living Committee (ReCALC)
voted 7-0 to create a multigenerational center. All options for its location are back on the
table and the former Walgreens is not yet off the table.
Joe McDonagh Joined the meeting at 6:05 pm
Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom explained that it is unusual to make changes to
Accommodated Costs so late in the budget process, but Finance Is working hard with the
Schools to get full-day kindergarten funded as soon as possible. The Schools had $250,000
in their budget, there was $150,000 budgeted for Community Priorities, but the School
Page I 1
Superintendent asked for another $100,000. Ms. Angstrom explained that she reviewed
accommodated costs and was able to adjust the natural gas line Item. Gas rates are
expected to Increase In May, for only one month of the fiscal year. But to prepare for the
36% increase, the line item was budgeted for a whole year of increased rates to bring up
the base. By adjusting the line, approximately $117,000 was made available, as it would
have gone back to Free Cash if not spent or reallocated at a future Town Meeting. But as a
result, it increased the operating budget for both Town and Schools. Ms. Angstrom asked
the Committee If they were still comfortable with using $3.28 million of Free Cash to
support the FY2024 budget, even though it now represents 4% of the operating budget,
instead of 3.75%, as they previously voted.
The Finance Committee members discussed and agreed with the change to the
accommodated casts, and that the use of $3.28 million of free cash was still appropriate.
They also expressed concern about the sustainable costs of free full-day kindergarten, and
the future use of free cash.
Future Meadna Agenda Items:
The Committee requested to preview the projected use of free cash at their first budget
meeting prior to hearing the School Department budget presentation. The upcoming budget
meetings will kick off on March Vt with the School presentation, and continue March 8th for
the first half of the Town Budget, March 15th for the second half of the Town Budget and
possible votes on Annual Town Meeting warrant articles, and March 22dd if needed to
complete budget discussions and vote on the Town Meeting articles.
Approval of Previous Minutes:
On a motion by Jeanne Borawski, and seconded by Mark Zarrow, the Finance
Committee voted 8-0-0 to approve the meeting minutes of October 19, 2022.
Roll call vote: Emily Sisson - Yes, Marianne Downing - Yes, Mark Zarrow - Yes,
Jeanne Borawski - Yes, Geoffrey Coram - Yes, Joe Carnahan - Yes, Joe McDonagh
- Yes, Ed Ross - Yes.
On a motion by Jeanne Borawski, and seconded by Joe Carnahan, the Finance
Committee voted 6-0-2 to approve the meeting minutes of October 26, 2022, with
Geoffrey Coram and Ed Ross abstaining, as they were not present at that meeting.
Roll call vote: Emily Sisson - Yes, Joe McDonagh - Yes, Marianne Downing - Yes,
Mark Zarrow - Yes, Jeanne Borawski - Yes, Geoffrey Coram - Abstain, Joe
Carnahan - Yes, Ed Ross - Abstain.
On a motion by Jeanne Borawski, and seconded by Emily Sisson, the Finance
Committee voted 8-0-0 to adjourn at 6:57 pm.
Roll call vote: Emily Sisson - Yes, Joe McDonagh - Yes, Marianne Downing - Yes,
Mark Zarrow - Yes, Jeanne Borawski - Yes, Geoffrey Coram - Yes, Joe Carnahan -
Yes, Ed Ross - Yes.
Page 1 2