HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-04-26 Finance Committee MinutesRECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
READING, MASS.
Finance Committee Meeting
April 26, 2004 2004 JUL -2 P 12. 4 y
The meeting convened at 6:45 p.m. in the Auditorium, Reading Memorial High School, 62
Oakland Road, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Jim Francis, Finance
Committee members Richard McDonald, Marsie West, Hal Torman, Paul Bolger, Robert
LeLacheur, Catherine Martin, Chuck Robinson, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner. Also
joining the Finance Committee meeting were School Committee members Pete Dahl, Elaine
Webb, John Carpenter, Lisa Gibbs and Superintendent of Schools Pat Schettini and Associate
Superintendent Dennis Richards.
On motion by McDonald seconded by Torman the Finance Committee made a motion to
recommend the subject matter of Article 8, the Capital Improvement Program as proposed. The
Town Manager reviewed the modifications made in the Capital Improvement Program since the
last Finance Committee meeting. He noted that he had received from the Superintendent of
Schools a modified Capital Improvement Program just last Thursday, and there was not enough
time to incorporate it into the Capital Improvement Program as presented. He did commend the
School Department on beginning the process of looking at some of the additional capital needs
within the building maintenance and schools.
At the meeting, the School Department handed out an updated Capital Project Request. The
FY2005 request was for $595,000; $25,000 of which is included in the current budget. The
Chairman of the School Committee noted that the School Committee felt that the Finance
Committee should have this information, but does not expect that it can be included in the
Capital Improvement Program at this time because of the time it would take to do that. The
Capital Improvement Program was recommended by a vote of 8-0-0.
There was discussion on Article 13. The concern is that the Bylaws require the Finance
Committee to vote a recommendation and to give it to Town Meeting in writing seven days
before action on any financial Article. Article 13 is the rescission of debt service for the new
school project, and adding additional debt service for the Barrows School project. This is to be
taken up on May 6, 2004. Therefore, written comment to the Town Meeting will have to be
given to them by Thursday, April 29, 2004. The Finance Committee agreed to make a copy of
these draft minutes available to Town Meeting Members at the checkers table on April 29, 2004.
Martin moved and LeLacheur seconded the motion to recommend the subject matter
Article 13 as presented Some Finance Committee members indicated that they did not
have enough information since there were no numbers proposed in the Article and
therefore they would have to vote no Others indicated that if the proposed changes were
even - i.e. the rescission equaled the additional debt service to be authorized that they
would approve it The vote on the motion was 1-6-1 with Bolger in favor, McDonald,
Torman, LeLacheur Francis Martin and Robinson opposed and West abstaining. A copy
of the minutes will be made available to Town Meeting on Thursday.
Finance Committee Meeting April 26, 2004 - page 2
The Town Manager reviewed the modifications to Article 7. He noted that we were able to
reduce the snow and ice amount slightly. On motion by Martin seconded by McDonald the
Finance Committee voted to reconsider the subject matter of Article 7, by a vote of 8-0-0.
On motion by West seconded by Robinson the Finance Committee voted to recommend the
subject matter of Article 7 with revised information presented tonight, by a vote of 8-0-0.
On motion by McDonald seconded by Robinson the Finance Committee voted to adjourn at 7:10
p.m. on a vote of 8-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
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