HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-06-01 Finance Committee Minutesa%ED
t `,Y N CLERK
Finance Committee Meeting _ r'a i l f ? G, ref A 5 S.
June 1, 2006
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The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Senior Center, 49 Pleasant Street, Reading,
Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Chuck Robinson, Vice Chairman Andrew Grimes,
Finance Committee Members George Hines, Ronald Powell, David Greenfield and Marsie West
(joined the meeting at 8:00 p.m.). Also present were Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner,
Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, DPW Director Ted McIntire, Water
Treatment Plant Supervisor Peter Tassi and the following list of interested parties: Richard
Moore, Peg Russell, Charles and Virginia Adams, Thomas Ryan, Jack Russell, R. Soli, Ralph
Colorusso, Barry Berman, Jonathan Barnes, Alex McRae, Mary Ellen O'Neill, James Mulvey,
Camille Anthony, Steve Goldy, James Bonazoli, Ben Tafoya, Ellen Mounteer, Robert
Nordstrand, Gail Wood, Harry Simmons, Linda and Gary Phillips.
Discussion/Action Items
Decision re: buying into the MWRA or build new Water Treatment Plant-- The Town Manager,
Public Works Director and Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director made presentations on the
need for a decision on either buying into the MWRA or build a new Water Treatment Plant, the
financial costs of the options and the pros and cons to the options.
Richard Moore from the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee made a presentation in advocacy
of building a new Water Treatment Plant.
Questions and answers were taken during the presentation.
On motion by Hines seconded by Grimes, the Finance Committee recommended the
subject matter of Article 3 with the addition of three items to the Capital Improvements
Program as stated in the Warrant Report by a vote of 6-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Powell, the Finance Committee voted 1-5-0 not to
recommend the Article 4, 100% MWRA buy-in. Chuck Robinson felt that there was a lot of
money spent on the design to date. George Hines felt that the Water and Sewer Advisory
Committee and staff recommended the creation of a new Water Treatment Plant. Andrew
Grimes felt that the continuation of using the Ipswich River Basin for a water supply ties the
Town into a difficult aquifer. The MWRA risk is that we pay more for water. Building a new
Water Treatment Plant involves many more risks.
The Finance Committee took no action.on Article 5 because of their vote on Article 4.
On motion by Hines seconded by West, the Finance Committee voted to recommend the
subject matter of Article 6 in the amount of $24.7 million by a vote of 5-1-0.
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Finance Committee Meeting- June 1, 2006 -Page 2
1 11 On motion by Hines seconded Grimes, the Finance Committee voted to recommend the
subiect matter of Article 7 to appropriate $230,000 from water reserves from the FY2007
Budget, and to appropriate $29,705 from free cash for road improvements by a vote of
6-0-0.
On motion by Grimes seconded by West, the Finance Committee voted to adjourn their