HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-12-10 Board of Selectmen Minutes t
Minutes of the Board of Selectmen/Finance Committee/
School Committee Meeting
December 10, 1991
The meeting was convened at 7:30 p.m. in the meeting room at the
Reading Public Library. Present were the following: Board of
Selectmen - Nigro, Ensminger, Hoyt, Hines, Graham; School Com-
mittee - Philbrick, Williams, Shannon, Cummings; Finance Com-
mittee - Burditt, VanMagness, Coco, Dahl , Greene, MacDonald,
McMillan, White; Superintendent Robert Munnelly, Assistant Super-
intendent Lynn Bak, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the
following list of citizens: Ronald D'Addario, Maria Silvaggi, Tom
Stohlman, Richard Radville, Lucy Pandolfo, Jim Keigley, Deirdre
Hanley, Nancy Shipes, Martha Cummings, Beth Quimby, Steve
Thomases, Linda Molloy, YMCA Singers, Camille Anthony, Don
Anglehart, Catherine Quimby, Cheryl Jones, Lois Bond, John E.
.Carpenter.
The Town Manager reviewed the packet of material that was dis-
tributed to the members of the Board of Selectmen, Finance Com-
mittee and School Committee as well as the members of the general
public who were present. Included in this material was a review
of general goals, guidelines for evaluating the budget, the his-
tory of revenue and why revenues are reduced, and a review of
what the impact of an across the board reduction would be on the
various departments.
The Superintendent reviewed the impact of this type of reduction
on the School Department. The Town Manager reviewed the issue of
furloughs. Those present discussed options in dealing with the
revenue shortfall, which include reduction of expenses, elimina-
tion of programs, or acquisition of new revenue through an over-
ride.
The consensus of those present was to continue the Budget Com-
mittee process made up of the Chairmen of the Finance Committee,
School Committee, Board of Selectmen, the Superintendent of
Schools and the Town Manager, and the Finance Director and the
Town Accountant. That group will try to prioritize school and
municipal functions as part of the budget process. Meanwhile,
the School Committee will go forward with its budget based on
priorities established by the School Committee and the Town
Manager will go forward with the Town budget based on priorities
established by the Board of Selectmen.
Respe tfully submitted:
Secretar