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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-02 Finance Committee MinutesI../ Finance Committee Meetin It, EIVE0 g -r on CLERK March 2, 2005 i(LADING. MASS. jlO l IIAR The meeting convened at 7:35 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room, Lowe lbStpeetl' 58 Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Chuck Robinson, Finance Committee Members Dick McDonald, Bob LeLacheur, Paul Bolger, Hal Torman, Michele Williams and Marsie West. Also present were Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, School Committee Member Pete Dahl, Acting Library Director Elizabeth Dickinson, Chairman of the Library Board of Directors Vicki Yablonsky, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Police Sergeant Jim Cormier and Paula. Schena. Approval of Minutes On motion by McDonald seconded by Williams, the Finance Committee approved the Minutes of February 16, 2005 by a vote of 7-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Reserve Fund Transfer - Minuteman Regional School - The Town Manager noted that students have the ability to go to another school if we don't offer what they want. The transfer is for one semester in the amount of $9,207.50. The total for the year will be $18,415. On motion by Torman seconded by Bober, the Finance Committee voted to approve the Reserve Fund Transfer in the amount of $9,207.50 to Account #01-752-5677 Minuteman ( Regional School by a vote of 7-0-0. Budget Review - Library - The Town Manager noted that the Board of Selectmen approved starting the new Library Director at Step 6 so the budget has been revised and distributed to the Committee this evening. The staffing levels are the same as last year and the amount of materials is the same which is equal to 15% of the budget. Acting Library Director Elizabeth Dickinson noted that $1,000 was added to the salary account to cover the Step increase for the new Library Director, and $1,000 was subtracted from the materials account. Hal Tolman asked if the cost of NOBLE was a set charge for the year, and Ms. Dickinson indicated that it was. Bob LeLacheur asked if the Town receives revenues for being part of the NOBLE system. Ms. Dickinson noted that at one point, we had a contract for after hours services. Bob LeLacheur asked if the Library hours have changed since the override, and Ms. Dickinson indicated that they have not. Marsie West asked how we could get additional hours. The Town Manager indicated that we would need additional revenues and if the Town got additional revenues, we would have to look at all departments and see what the needs are. Finance Committee Meeting - March 2, 2005 - Page 2 Bob LeLacheur asked about the condition of the Library. Ms. Dickinson noted that it is an old building and the carpeting is a priority. Also, they will eventually need more space. Michele Williams noted that window and door replacement is listed in the capital plan. The Town Manager noted that we need to do the rest of Town Hall, the Library and the Senior Center. Michele Williams asked if there is money for this, and the Town Manager noted there is not it is just listed in the Capital Improvements Plan. Fire - Fire Chief Greg Burns was present. The Town Manager noted that the major change in this budget is the ALS (Advanced Life Support). All but two positions are in the bargaining union and the Union has settled a contract for FY 2005-FY 2007 and the budget reflects the salary increases. He also noted that there is an increase in the overtime budget because the EMT's have to participate in a refresher course this year. Paul Bolger noted that the sick leave buyback has been decreased by almost $20,000. The Town Manager noted that we are phasing out sick leave buyback. The Town Manager noted that there is an increase in fuel in the expense budget. Chief Burns discussed the ALS medical supplies. Chuck Robinson asked what the actual medical supplies will be this year, and Chief Burns noted that it should be on target or higher. He also noted that all of the supplies are disposable and they use a tremendous amount of supplies. The amount of oxygen alone is $2,000 per year. Paul Bolger asked if these costs are ( passed on to the patient, and Chief Burns indicated that they are but the money goes back into the general fund. Chuck Robinson indicated that he was under the impression that ALS was supposed to make money for the community. Chief Burns noted that he promoted it as being revenue neutral, but it has brought in more money than expected. Hal Tolman asked if the increase in overtime is due to training or to fill in for someone who is out sick. Chief Burns noted that they are bringing on three new Fire Fighters who won't have training until September so they will be shorthanded. Chief Burns also noted that they are also putting one Fire Fighter through the paramedic program. These situations are unique this year. Bob LeLacheur asked if the Fire Department is okay with all of the growth in Town. Chief Burns noted that the landfill development has been a huge undertaking with all of the code research, letter writing, site visits, etc., and we still haven't seen the full impact yet. Bob LeLacheur asked if backing up other towns creates stress on our department. Chief Burns noted that staffing is down in other communities and he is concerned about Stoneham. He also noted that the fire fighting strategy has changed, and we have to have a company outside when fighting a fire inside. Finance Conunittee Meeting - March 2, 2005 - Page 3 Police - The Town Manager noted that Chief Silva will not be here this evening because his mother had passed away. Sergeant Jim Cormier (Chief designee) was present to answer any questions the Committee might have. The Town Manager noted that staffing is the same changes in the budget reflect retirements. There is an increase of three School Crossing Guards due to redistricting. There is an increase in fael expenses and we will be replacing two vehicles. Hal Torman asked why the two vehicles are not in the Capital Plan, and the Town Manager noted that was because they only have a useful life of 1'/2 years. Michele Williams asked about the traffic light repairs. Sergeant Cormier noted that is often because of knockdowns and if we catch the driver, we get reimbursement from the insurance company. He also noted that includes repairs to the.Opticom System. Hal Tonnan asked about the increase in unifonns. The Town Manager noted that Patrolman, Superior Officers and Crossing Guards have uniforms in their contract. The account is carried over year to year. Andrew Grimes asked where we stand according to the staffing study that was done. The Town Manager noted that the study recommended 41 Officers (we are currently at 37), if there is commercial development in Town. He feels that we should look at it especially in the Detective area. He also noted that he asked the Chief to track the activity at the site, and there is not a huge effect right now. Sergeant Cormier noted that he talked with other communities and white-collar crime is common with development of commercial business. With the residential development comes an increase in domestic abuse and traffic. Pete Dahl asked if the Addison Wesley project will require more police presence. Sergeant Cormier noted that it is up to how the businesses prepare themselves and the type of clientele they attract. Dispatch - The Town Manager noted that we have seven full-time Dispatchers. There will always be overtime in this area. The money for training is very important and ongoing. The recorder and video cameras are included in expenses. Hal Torman asked if there will be any added expenses due to the new equipment corning online and Sergeant Cormier indicated it will be under warranty. Chuck Robinson asked about regionalization and the Town Manager noted that there is talk in the Dispatch area. Dick McDonald noted that some shifts have two Dispatchers and asked if someone calls in sick if we backfill. Sergeant Connier noted that sometimes we do. Bob LeLacheur asked about mutual aid. Sergeant Cormier noted that there is the SWAT Team, the NEMLEC System and four of our Officers are trained in NEMLEC. Finance Committee Meeting - March 2, 2005 - Page 4 Community Services - The Town Manager noted that there is a change in the source of funding for the Conservation Administrator because we are not expecting any fees next year. In Inspections we charge the salary, employee benefit and plan review out of the revolving fiind. Health Division - There is an increase in the Public Health Nurse and Inspections. The nurse does all of the communicable disease follow up. The Sealer of Weights and Measures is paid for by a grant. Elder Human Services - The Coordinator of Volunteers position is being increased to full-time. Funding for this position come from donations, State grant and Hospital Trust Funds. Andrew Grimes asked how many residents are served by Meals on Wheels. The Town Manager indicated approximately 50 per day, but he will get updated numbers. Veterans Services - The Town Manager noted that this will change, but he doesn't la-low by how much. The State requires the Town to have a fiill-time Veterans Agent, but we have had a part- time Agent shared with Wilmington. Our Agent retired, so we will forin a regional district with Wilmington and have a full-time agent. Bob LeLacheur asked if the State dictates the qualifications and the Town Manager indicated that they do. The Town Manager's budget has a significant increase in the salary. If any of the FinCom members have questions they should talk to the Board of Selectmen, because they are the ones who set it. The Town Manager reviewed the Selectmen, Law, Town Cleric and General Department budgets. Chuck Robinson asked about insurance claims. pay deductibles and he also assigns some to information on the current claims for this year. The Town Manager noted that the Town has to water and sewer. Chuck Robinson asked for Andrew Grimes asked if the Conservation Administrator position will continue as fiill-time when all of the major projects are done. The Town Manager indicated it probably will. We have always had a fiill-time Administrator. The fiinctions are regulatory and bound to strict timelines. A motion by Bolger seconded by McDonald to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m. was approved by a vote of 7-0-0. Respectfully submitted, ecre ary L.'_