HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-09-30 Finance Committee MinutesFinance Committee Meeting
September 30, 2004
The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room, 16 Lowell
Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman James Francis, Vice Chairman
Charles Robinson, Members Richard McDonald, Robert LeLacheur and Paul Bolger.
Also present were School Committee Member Pete Dahl and Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner.
On motion by McDonald seconded by LeLacheur, the Minutes of August 25, 2004
were approved, as amended, by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by LeLacheur, seconded by McDonald, the Reserve Fund Transfer for
the telephone system expenses was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
The Town Manager presented data to indicate that this should be a one time increase to
expenditures for the consultant to oversee the installation. After that, the telephone bills
should settle at approximately the level of the FY 2005 Budget.
Liaison Reports
Paul Bolger asked that the RMLD packets go to him as liaison.
Pete Dahl gave an update on schools. Coolidge has won the 21" Century Award. The
High School project is moving forward - there was the delay with the water line but that
has been resolved.
The Barrows School was vacated early so that the contractor could get in there quickly.
The project is on schedule.
Pete Dahl talked about the budget process and establishment of priorities. The question
was raised as to redistricting and what the effect of that would be. He noted that
reopening Barrows School would generate expenses of a fifth elementary school but that
should be completely offset by the savings in busing currently being done for the
Barrows' project.
The Finance Committee talked about a number of issues including the following:
Update on the financials the Town Manager noted that we have received $183,000 in
additional lottery aid.
There was discussion on the retirement of the Finance Director Beth Klepeis. She will be
retiring on or about June 30, 2005. The Town Manager needs to review organizational
issues first. We would like to have some overlap between the new Finance Director and
the outgoing Finance Director - plus the cost that we need to budget for.
Finance Committee Meeting - September 30, 2004 - Page 2
There was discussion about the hiring and transition to the new Town Accountant. His
retirement date will be on or about September 30, 2005. In the 2006 Budget, we will try
to include money for any transition between the new Town Accountant and the retiring
one.
The Town Manager noted that he felt that the Finance Committee and the School
Department would have input into both processes. The Finance Director position is hired
by the Town Manager, and the Town Accountant position is hired by the Board of
Selectmen.
The Town Manager did a preliminary review of the Subsequent Town Meeting Articles.
The Town Manager reviewed the status of the building projects including Jordan's
Furniture, Haven Street, Johnson Faun, Spence Farm and others.
The Finance Committee discussed strategy for doing a capital plan this year. They would
like to focus in November on capital planning.
The Finance Committee discussed schedules. Rather than having a Financial Forum on
the 13t1i, the Finance Committee decided to have their meeting on the 13t" to review the
Warrant. The Financial Forum will be on the 21St. The Warrant Report needs to be
available to Town Meeting Members on the 22"d
On motion by McDonald seconded by Bolger, the Finance Committee voted to
adiourn.their meeting of September 30,_2004 at 9:05 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary