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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-06-13 Board of Selectmen Minutes Jt. Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Finance Committee Meeting "! June 13, 1996 The meeting convened at 7:36 p.m. in the Staff Lounge, Reading Memorial High School, Oakland Road, Reading, Massachusetts. Present for the Board of Selectmen were Chairman Sally Hoyt, Secretary Camille Anthony, Selectmen Bruce MacDonald, Dan Ensminger, and Vice Chairman George Hines joined the quorum at 8:00 p.m. Also present were Superintendent of Schools Harry Harutunian, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Accountant Richard Foley. Present for the School Committee were Chairman Matt Cummings, Vice Chairman Sue Cavicchi, School Committee Members Robert Spadafora, Tim Twomey, Robin D'Antona and Tom Stohlman arrived at 8:00 p.m. Present for the Finance Committee were Chairman Steve Blewitt, Vice Chairman Jim Keigley, FinCom Members, Rocco Nenarella, Gerry MacDonald, Nate White, Catherine Martin and Carol Grimm and Tom Green. The Town Manager reviewed the agenda. The purpose of the meeting is to review the FY '97 budget process and make any changes as we go forward to the FY'98 budget process. The Town Manager reviewed the participants in the process and there was agreement as to the membership on the Budget Council, who the staff to the Budget Council would be, and what others may be invited into the process as issues develop that would warrant their involvement. The Library Board of Trustees and the Library Director were examples. The members reviewed the Mission Statement. The consensus is that it was desirable to have a Mission Statement. There were a number of suggestions made. The Town Manager recorded the recommendations and he and the Superintendent of Schools will modify the Mission Statement and get it out to the members of the Budget Council during the summer. There was discussion on improvements to the budget process. The Town Manager suggested four modifications that are recommended by staff: 1. Presentations on "facts" should be prior to and in a separate session from policy discussions. 2. There should be an additional and specific presentation on capital budgeting on the same basis as the School and Town budgets are presented. 3. Liaison Assignments should be established as early as possible in the budget process. 4. We should establish a timeframe for development of new initiatives and follow up on previous initiatives. Board of Selectmen FinCom School Committee Meeting- June 13 1996 - page 2 There was a great deal of discussion on several elements. In addition, it was suggested that we should try multi-year budgeting, and discussion ensued as to whether this would be detailed or general. Robin D'Antona suggested that each body should adopt a draft policy with respect to delineating the role in the Budget Council, and in the budget process. This could be similar to, or the same as the Mission Statement but all three bodies should have the same understanding. The Town Manager reviewed the status of the three FY'97 initiatives: Technology Initiative -- This initiative is being implemented as part of the 1997 budget. The question was asked as to whether or not there would be any additional expenses or need with regard to this initiative. The Superintendent of Schools noted that in the School Department there may be a need for an additional technician, and may be a need for additional wiring. It was suggested that this additional technician, if needed, could be coordinated with the Town. Library Initiative -- A meeting is scheduled next week with the Superintendent of Schools, the Town Manager and the Board of Library Trustees. We hope that we will have a pilot program with the Coolidge Middle School. Funding may be pulled from the School Department from other sources in order to accomplish this. Building Maintenance Initiative -- The Town Manager and the Superintendent of Schools will be meeting during the summer and should be able to come back in September with an outline of improved cooperation and coordination on this issue for review by the appropriate bodies. Agreement was reached to hold the Budget Council meeting on September 11, 1996 as the first session of the 1998 budget process. On motion by Spadafora seconded by Cavicchi, the School Committee voted to adjourn at 9:05 p.m. by a vote of 6-0-0. The Board of Selectmen continued their meeting. The Town Manager brought them up to date on the sale of 25 Haven Street. The closing date scheduled for Friday, the 14th will need to be continued until approximately the 10th of July. Brooks has done testing on the site and has one more test that they want to do underneath Green Street to see if there is migration of contaminants. The on-site contamination can be cleaned up within the $5,000 limit previously established. They also need a Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Town Manager is not sure when that session was scheduled. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to extend the closing date for 25 Haven Street until 6/21/96, with a further report from the Town Manager at their meeting on Tuesday, June 18. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. f i i Board of Selectmen, FinCom, School Committee Meeting- June 13, 1996 -page 3 r The Board of Selectmen agreed to have their Selectmen's Forum on July 2nd, and to meet at 7:00 p.m. at the Lecture Hall before that date to approve the bond sale. On motion by Anthony seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to adjourn at 9:20 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, S�cr Lary