HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
November 24, 2008
The meeting convened at 8:22 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room, 82 Oakland
Road, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were:
Finance Committee Chairman George Hines, members Barry Berman, Andrew Grimes,
Marsie West, Matt Wilson, Hal Torman and Tom White. Also present were Town Manager
Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, DPW
Director Ted McIntire, Jane Kinsella, School Superintendent Pat Schettini, School Finance &
HR Director Mary DeLai, Assistant Superintendent John Doherty, Director of Pupil Services
Colleen Dolan, School Committee members Chuck Robinson, Lisa Gibbs, Elaine Webb,
Karen Janowski and Chris Caruso, Board of Selectmen members Steve Goldy, Ben Tafoya
and Rick Schubert.
George Hines called the Finance Committee to order at 8:22 p.m.
Mr. Goldy call the Selectmen to order at 8:22 p.m.
Mr. Robinson reconvened the School Committee for a brief recess.
Mr. Hines thanked the School Committee for the opportunity to hold this meeting during this
time slot due to the inability to hold the Financial Forum at the previously scheduled time
because of a failure of the FinCom and Selectmen being posted to meet at that time and
reviewed the agenda.
Mr. LeLacheur distributed a handout and reviewed the FYI Budget Calendar, revenues, free
cash, stabilization fund, FINCOM reserves, interest earnings, accommodated costs and the
FINCOM finance policies.
He stated that January 30 is the date to have the final voted budget to the Town Manager who
in turn has to have the Town Manager budget to FINCOM by mid February.
He stated that Reading is in much better shape than many communities but we must be
cautious and prudent in the ways we spend the reserves.
Mr. Robinson distributed a handout to the committees proposing a judicious approach to
using$1,000,000 of the current reserves over each of the next three years. (See Attached)
Ms. West cautioned the committees to not go beyond one year because of the uncertainty of
funding on the state's part.
Mr. Robinson would like to see a commitment to the process. He understands that numbers
change and it is important to have a continuing dialog.
Town Manager Hechenbleikner stated that the FY09 numbers are still unknown. We should
start to have a better idea mid to late January. He feels that departments should start to
construct a.0% increase budget for FYI and even then we may have to use a good amount
of reserves. Departments must begin to establish priorities.
Several members of the School Committee, Board of Selectmen and FINCOM spoke in favor
of the 0% budget suggestion. Further, it was the consensus of the members of the Financial
Forum that the:
i The Town of Reading has practiced good fiscal responsibility;
• It is early in the process and the boards need to continue to collaborate. As each
department develops their budgets they must carefully prioritize, and seek
stakeholder input;
• Departments shall develop a 0% increase budget for FY10 (when compared to the
FY09 budget as approved by November 2008 Town Meeting). In addition, they
should create lists that would illustrate: (a) a level service. FY10 budget (the same
employees as currently with a 2% expense increase),* and (b) in priority order
reductions from or additions to the 0%budget.
On a motion by Mr. Golds, seconded by Mr. Tafoya the Board of Selectmen adjourned
at 9:45 p.m. The vote was 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary