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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-03-03 Finance Committee MinutesI I rd U L T K iAfl23 All:2q Finance Committee Meeting March 3, 2004 The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Jim Francis, Finance Committee Members Richard McDonald, Charles Robinson, Robert LeLacheur, Paul Bolger, Andrew Grimes and Marcie West. Also present were DPW Director Ted McIntire, DPW Business Administrator John Sousa, Parks, Forestry and Cemetery Supervisor Bob Keating, Recreation Administrator John Feudo, Board of Cemetery Trustees Members Mary Vincent, Bill Brown, Dan Driscoll, Stephen Meehan, Library Director Kimberly Lynn, Library Board Members Victoria Yablonsky, Stephen Connor, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Police Chief Bob Silva and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner. Discussion/Action Items FY 2005 Budget Review - The Town Manager presented an overview of the FY 2005 Budget as presented to the Finance Committee. He noted that this an extraordinary budget in that investments for the future are being made in adding $100,000 to the Stabilization Fund, funding $221,000 increase in the pension budget to make up for past under performing stock markets, an additional $27,000 in capital, and an additional $25,000 in snow and ice. To offset these extraordinary increases and expenses, the budget uses $460,000 in Free Cash which is generated from the bond premium for the High School in the amount of $360,000, and interest income from the borrowing on the High School project in the amount of $100,000. The Town Manager then reviewed the DPW, Library, Public Safety and Community Services Budgets with the Finance Committee. In the DPW area, the Town Manager noted that he may have some modification to the Engineering Budget in order to develop a better capability to carry forward capital projects. The changes in that budget and others that would have an effect on this issue would be. to add $50,000 plus benefits for the additional Engineering position to be charged to Water and Sewer; to add a part-time GIS Coordinator to the Technology Budget in the amount of $35,000 and to add a GIS module to allow GIS systems to be put on the website in the amount of $20,000. Additionally, a Clerk position including benefits in the amount of $36,000 will be considered. The Town Manager is presenting these as concepts at this time, and will come back to the Finance Committee with a more detailed proposal. Richard McDonald suggested that the GIS capital expense in the amount of $20,000 could perhaps be done this year as part of a Finance Committee Reserve Fund Transfer. Finance Committee Meetinsz - March 3, 2004 - Page 2 The Town Manager suggested that we wait a month or two, and see how the FY 2004 Budget settles out. It may be possible to implement this through budget transfers without using the Reserve Fund. The Finance Committee discussed with the Parks, Forestry and Cemetery Supervisor Bob Keating the need for capital equipment, and potential additional expenses related to bringing on line the new elementary school and the changes at the High School. The Finance Committee asked if the large and new developments in town would have effects on other DPW budgets, and the feeling is that they would be minimal since all roads would be private. The Cemetery Budget was discussed. The Town Manager handed out revised sheets showing revised income proposals. The Town has approximately 50 more years of burial space in the existing cemeteries. The Cemetery Board has ongoing concerns about the bequest fund, and the expenditures out of the bequest fund this year would be about 55% of the total income, allowing the bequest funds to again start to build. Library Director Kimberly Lynn and Board Members reviewed the Library Budget. The budget is adequate to receive State Aid. Some additional technology will be provided for the Library in this budget, and NOBLE will be providing additional technology updates. The Public Safety Budgets were reviewed. In the Police Budget, there was discussion about shifting some of the training expense money to the training salary line item for FY ( 2004 and possibly for FY 2005. The new development on the landfill may create the need for additional Police services because retail uses tend to need the Police when dealing with shoplifting, bad checks, etc. Additionally, there was discussion on the possibility of developing a School Resource Officer. This will not be ready for the FY 2005 Budget process, but the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen seem to be supportive of going.forward to develop such a program. Fire Chief Greg Burns was present and discussed the Fire Department Budget, and the Advanced Life Support Program. The Fire expense budget has been under funded badly over the past several years. It will need a Reserve Fund Transfer this year and reflect a significant increase next year. Chief Burns reviewed some of the grants that the Department has been able to receive. . The Town Manager ran through the Community Services Budgets. If the Finance Committee has any further questions on these budgets, that will be dealt with after the School Budget is completed. The Finance Committee discussed the School Budget. Members of the Finance Committee will have two questions that they would like to have raised. Some of the items have to do with the financing of all day kindergarten, the anticipated revenue from the Circuit Breaker Program, whether or not the Business Manager position is needed, and what the total level of increase should be for the School Department, etc. Finance Committee Meeting- - March 3, 2004 - Page 3 The Finance Committee decided to cancel the meeting on March 17th. They will meet with the School Committee on March 10th, and meet with the School Committee on the 24th of March if they need a second meeting with the School Committee. If not, then the 24th will be used for reviewing the Warrant and cleaning up any additional issues that need to be addressed. On motion by McDonald seconded by Bolger, the Finance Committee voted to adjourn their meeting of March 3, 2004 at 11:00 p.m. by a vote of 7-0-0. tsct ubmittedI Secretary