Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-06-22 Finance Committee MinutesFinance Committee Meeting June 22, 2005 The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Charles Robinson, Vice Chairman Richard McDonald, Finance Committee Members Robert LeLacheur, Marsie West, Paul Bolger, Michele Williams and Andrew Grimes. Also present were Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and resident David Zeek. Approval of Minutes On motion by McDonald seconded by West, the Finance Committee voted to approve the Minutes of April 6, 2005 by a vote of 6-0-1, with West abstaininiz. On motion by LeLacheur seconded by Williams, the Finance Committee voted to approve the Minutes of April 25, 2005 by a vote of 6-0-1, with West abstaining. Reports and Comments Liaison Reports and Comments - Paul Bolger noted that he attended an RMLD meeting, and indicated that it was time to review the economics of the payment in lieu of taxes by the Light Department. Chuck Robinson will send a letter to the Light Department requesting that this process begin. The Finance Committee also decided that it was probably time to have the Light Department in for a Joint Meeting. Finally, the Town Manager noted that the Light Department has gone to a fiscal year from a calendar year effective on July 1, 2005 and that the Light Department and their staff deserve a lot of credit for having made this change. Discussion/Action Items Reorganization - Chairman and Vice Chairman.- The Town Manager chaired the meeting. He accepted the nominations for the position of Chairman for a term expiring June 30, 2006. McDonald moved and West seconded the nomination of Charles Robinson as Chairman. On motion by McDonald seconded by LeLacheur, the Finance Committee voted to close the nominations by a vote of 7-0-0. On the main motion, Charles Robinson was appointed Chairman by a vote of 6-0-1, with Robinson abstaining. Charles Robinson took over the chairmanship. On motion by McDonald seconded by West,_ Robert LeLacheur was nominated to a position of Vice Chairman for a term expiring June 30, 2006. On motion by McDonald seconded by West, the Finance Committee voted to close the nominations by a vote .of 7-0-0. On the main motion, Robert LeLacheur was appointed Vice Chairman by a vote of 6-0-1, with LeLacheur abstainin Finance Committee Meeting - June 22, 2005 - Page 2 Appointment of Finance Committee Member to the Audit Committee - There is a vacancy for a ( position on the Audit Committee appointed by the Finance Committee. There is one applicant: Charles Robinson. On motion by West seconded by Williams, the Finance Committee voted to appoint Charles Robinson to the Audit Committee for a term expiring June 30, 2008 by a vote of 6- 0-1, with Robinson abstaining. Recommendation of Member to serve on Ad Hoc "Nurse Advocate" Task Force - The Town Manager noted that the Finance Committee needed to appoint someone to the Ad Hoc Committee on Nurse Advocacy for frail elders. On motion by Grimes seconded by West, the Finance Committee voted to recommend Robert LeLacheur to this position by a vote of 6-0-1, with LeLacheur abstaining. Appointment of Member to the Health Insurance Task Force - The Town Manager noted that the Finance Committee needs to appoint a member to the Ad Hoc Health Insurance Task Force. On motion by LeLacheur seconded by McDonald, Charles Robinson was appointed to the Task Force by a vote of 6-0-1, with Robinson abstaining. Reserve Fund Transfers for FY 2005 - The Town Manager reviewed four proposed Reserve Fund Transfers for the remainder of this year. They included $20,000 to the Building Maintenance expenses, $14,000 to snow and ice control, $7,750 for Assessors for the interest on a tax settlement refund that comes out of the debt service account, and $10,000 for Library technology which will then enable the Library to use money set aside for technology next year to do building maintenance (carpeting) issues. Following discussion, on motion by LeLacheur seconded by West, the Finance Committee approved the four Reserve Fund Transfers by a vote of 7-0-0. Review of FY 2006 Budget Process - The Finance Committee discussed the budget process and changes that they would be interested in considering for FY 2006. There was a consensus on the following: Add a column to the salary and expense forms (B and C) for the percentage change from the current year's budget to the recommended year's proposal. 2. Increase the narrative to: list the most important things going on effecting the budget; variances from "normal;" projections of changes that may be facing that budget over the next year or two; noteworthy things that the department would like to do, but perhaps is not able to do; and reviewing the "head count" for that function if anything out of the ordinary exists. 3. The Finance Committee agreed that for budgets where there is only one line in form B or C, that we can just use the summary form. Finance Committee Meeting - June 22, 2005 - Page 3 4. The Finance Committee would like to review the capital requests for each department j when they review the operating budget. 5. The Town Manager will prepare for the Town, and the Superintendent of Schools for the Schools, a summary sheet of at least a four year history of head count by department. 6. For schools, the Finance Committee would like some information on what the cost per school is, not details but in summary form. 7. The Town Manager will try to get the budget to the Finance Committee before the first session at which the budget is to be discussed. This might require the Finance Committee to pick the budgets up at the Police Station the weekend before the first meeting when they are discussing the budget. 8. The Town Manager will dig out a primer on State Aid that was previously prepared. We will include this as part of the Finance Committee handbook, and perhaps will present it at a Financial Forum. The Town Manager thanked the Finance Committee for their suggestions, and he will work hard to meet all of their requirements. Update on Process of Hiring a Finance Director and Town Accountant - The Town Manager reviewed the hiring process for the Finance Director and Town Accountant. The Town Manager reviewed other material that is included in the budget packet. On motion by McDonald seconded by Williams, the Finance Committee voted to adjourn their meeting of June 22, 2005 at 9:00 p.m. by a vote of 7-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary