HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-26 Finance Committee Minutes� • orxrae
+� Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - committee - Commission - Council:
Finance Committee
Date: 2025-02-26 Time: 7:00 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 Joe Carnahan, Vice Chair Marianne McLaughlin -Downing, Geoffrey
Coram, Endn Kume, Joe McDonagh, Ed Ross, Emily Sisson, John Sullivan,
Mark Zarrow (remote)
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
School Superintendent Thomas Milaschewski, Interim School Director of
Finance Phil Littlehale, School Committee Chair Tom Wise, Karen Rose -Gillis
(remote), Christopher R. Cook (remote 7:48pm), Dana Guarino
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held in -person in the Select Board Meeting Room of Town Hall and
remotely via Zoom.
Call to Order and Welcome
Chair Joe Carnahan called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm and reviewed the evening's
agenda.
Roll call attendance: Mark Zarrow (remote), Joe McDonagh, Emily Sisson, Marianne
McLaughlin -Downing, Geoffrey Coram, Ed Ross, Endri Kume, John Sullivan, Joe Carnahan
Public Comment
There was no comment from the public.
Liaison Reports
John Sullivan shared that the Reading Center for Active Living (ReCAL) project anticipated
total cost came in at just under $28 million, including $4.7 million for contingencies. It is
estimated to add between $190 and $265 per year to the average home property tax bill.
Emily Sisson reported that the turf at Parker Middle School is 18 years old and nearing the
end of its usable life. The Recreation Division is looking to shuffle some capital around to
try and replace it in the near future. There is no cost estimate at this time.
Marianne McLaughlin -Downing reviewed the recent votes of the Select Board to not use the
parking kiosks in the downtown parking lots. There was talk of possibly selling them, and
she heard that another community was looking to install parking kiosks, so Reading might
have a buyer for them.
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Ed Ross shared an update on the Killam School project. The Killam School Building
Committee has voted to move forward with schematic design. The total project budget
before any reimbursement is just over $129 million. The reimbursement rate for eligible
costs has increased, and the anticipated Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA)
grant is estimated around $40 million. There are other MSBA and Inflation Reduction Act
(IRA) incentives that the Town can also pursue.
Endri Kume shared that RMLD residential rates are increasing 6% and Industrial/commercial
rates are increasing 7%.
Joe Carnahan shared that the Community Preservation Act Study Committee continues to
meet, and is recommending a vote at the November 2026 state election. The Study
Committee is now hearing reports from the various areas that could use CPA funds.
School Department/School Committee Recommended FY26 Budget Presentation
School Superintendent Dr. Thomas Milaschewski, Interim Director of Finance Phil Littlehale,
and School Committee Chair Tom Wise reviewed the School Department's recommended
budget for FY26. It is a level service budget. Two significant additions to the budget are
universal tuition for full -day kindergarten, and an additional kindergarten teacher due to a
projected Increase in kindergarten enrollment. Dr. Milaschewski reviewed the nearly 35
positions added over the last three years and highlighted the Impacts they have had.
Mr. Littlehale provided a brief overview of the federal grants totaling approximately $1.3
million the district currently receives including: $1.2 million IDEA grant used for
paraprofessionals and supplies, $90,000 Title 1 used for staffing, $20,000 Early childhood
used for preschool, a $10,000 Title 4 grant, and a $43,000 Title 2 grant. He noted that
allocations and reliance on federal grants continue to decrease. Mr. Littlehale noted that the
department Is already planning ahead for FY27 budget challenges.
The total General Fund request from the Town Is $58,491,591. Mr. Littlehale reviewed the
budget by each cost center, and the number of full time Employees (FTEs) totaling 625.80
for FY26. Due to a lot of turnover, salaries increased at a lower percentage, as new staff
came in at a lower salary level than what was budgeted. The Department is reviewing
changes to the capital plan for Food Services and IT. There is a $600,000 increase in
offsets.
Future Agendas Discussion
The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet this evening, and over the next three
Wednesdays. Tonight was the School Committee Budget Review. On March 5'h, the
Committee will hear presentations from the Project Managers of the Killam School and
Reading Center for Active Living (ReCAL) projects, in addition to reviewing a budget transfer
request and snow and Ice spending. The Public Hearing on the proposed Town Manager's
FY26 budget, and Town Department budget presentations will begin on March 12' , and
continue on March 19' , if needed. The Committee will also vote on the budget and relevant
Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles at their meeting on March 19'h.
On April 2"d, the Town Manager has scheduled a public forum for the Killam and ReCAL
building projects at the Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center.
Marianne McLaughlin -Downing requested more information before the votes for the building
projects on when the Town might need an override.
Approve Prior Meeting Minutes- October 30 2024
On a motion by Emily Sisson, seconded by Ed Ross, the Finance Committee voted
9-0-0 to approve the meeting minutes of October 30, 2024 as presented.
Roll call vote: Mark Zarrow - Yes, Joe MCDonagh - Yes, Emily Sisson - Yes,
Marianne McLaughlin -Downing - Yes, Geoffrey Coram - Yes, Ed Ross - Yes, Endri
Kume - Yes, John Sullivan - Yes, Joe Carnahan - Yes.
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On a motion by Ed Ross, seconded by Geoffrey Coram, the Finance Committee
voted 9-0-0 to adjourn at 8:55 pm.
Roll call vote: Mark Zarrow - Yes, Joe MCDonagh - Yes, Emily Sisson - Yes,
Marianne McLaughlin -Downing - Yes, Geoffrey Coram - Yes, Ed Ross - Yes, Endri
Kume - Yes, John Sullivan - Yes, Joe Carnahan - Yes.
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