HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-10-16 Finance Committee Minutes:CEIVED
ul'Y,!N CLERK
DIN G, MASS..
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
OCTOBER 16, 2003 ZQG3 DEC - I A 8:'50
The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Arnold Berger Conference Room, Town Hall, 16
Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Jim Francis, Vice Chairman
Dick McDonald, Finance Committee members, Andrew Grimes, Hal Torman, Robert
LeLacheur, Catherine Martin, Marsie West and Chuck Robinson. Also present were Asst.
Superintendent of Schools, Peter Dahl and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner.
Review of Warrant - Subsequent Town Meeting
Discussion
Town Manager Peter Hechenbleilmer handed out new material regarding the Town Warrant.
The votes will be entered on Wednesday.
Article 1- Reports
The Committee discussed the areas where capital improvements are needed i.e. Franklin Street
sidewalks, Birch Meadow water main, elementary school projects, increase amount of debt for
Barrows School.
On motion by Martin seconded by West the Finance Committee voted to recommend
Article 3 for approval for the Subsequent Town Meeting. The motion was approved bra
vote of 7-0-0.
C. Martin will present article #3
Article 5 FY 2004 Budget Amendments
Town Manager Peter Hechenbleilmer went over the numbers, $50,000 in new growth, more than
was planned. Peter suggested increasing amount to cover professional development expenses
FinCom might have re: ATFC Annual Meeting etc.
On motion by McDonald seconded by Martin, the Finance Committee voted to recommend
Article 5 for approval for the subsequent Town Meeting as amended to include adjustment
of Fincom Development to $750.00. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0-0.
Article 6 - Stabilization Fund
Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner told the committee that there needs to be a 2/3 vote to
appropriate a to and from fund. Chairman Jim Francis stated he would like to see School
Committee's vote.
Finance Committee Meeting - October 16, 2003 - Page 2
On motion by Torman seconded by Grimes, the Finance Committee moved to recommend
Article 6 as presented subject matter. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0-0
Discussion: It was determined that everyone was comfortable with the article. Some comments
from committee members: Jim Francis said there is nothing inappropriate by setting aside
money. R. McDonald stated that a lot of other towns have stabilization funds and you can isolate
your money. R. LeLachuer wasn't sure how he felt about this, however okay with it now. H.
Torman believes the wording is appropriate. C. Martin has gone back and forth with this, she
had believed that taxpayers should get to spend their own money.
R. LaLachuer will present the report.
Article 7 - Chapter 90 debt authorization
On motion by Martin seconded by McDonald, the Finance Committee moved to
recommend as presented Article #7 for the Subsequent Town Meeting. The motion was
approved by a vote of 7-0-0
Article 8 - Capital Exclusion - Franklin Street sidewalks
Chairman Jim Francis recommends this article go to voters.
On motion by Torman seconded by West, the Finance Committee moved to recommend as
presented Article #8 for the Subsequent Town Meeting. The motion was approved by a
vote of 7-0-0
Hal Torman will present the report.
Article 9 Transfer of debt authorization - RMHS schematics to RNMS project
This article is to take the balance left in debt exclusion from RMHS schematics and move to
RMHS construction project.
On motion by West seconded by Martin, the Finance Committee moved to recommend
article #9 as worded for the Subsequent Town Meeting. The motion was approved by a
vote of 7-0-0.
Marsie West will present the report.
Article 10 - Transfer of debt authorization Elementary School . Projects
The committee discussed the Projects, committee would like to be able to transfer debt from new
school debt to Barrows. Peter Dahl expects the bids to come in early December. Several
members of the committee were concerned about this article. Peter Dahl stated that these
projects have always been tied together by SBA.
Finance Committee Meeting - October 16, 2003 - Page 3
On motion by Grimes seconded by Torman, the Finance Committee moved to recommend
article #10 as discussed for the Subsequent Town Meeting, the Committee held further
discussion on this article:
The Committee would like to see bids before the vote, however they aren't expected until
December. Is there a possibility of a special town meeting when they have come in, to see
what's needed? Marsie West asked if this warrant could be reworded? R. LeLachuer is not
comfortable with this article. Peter Dahl said that the School Committee does not want to be a
position to make cuts. Peter Hechenbleilmer suggested that in the committee's report the article
should be postponed or tabled.
On motion by Martin seconded by LeLaucher, the Finance Committee moved to table
prior motion on article #10. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-2-0.
Jim Francis will present the report.
Article 11- Debt authorization - Water Treatment Plant
There will be a tour of the water treatment plant on November 1, 2003.
On Motion by Grimes seconded by McDonald, the Finance Committee moved to
recommend article #11 as discussed for the Subsequent Town Meeting. The motion was
approved by a vote of 8-0-0.
Chuck Robinson will present the report.
Article 12 - Debt authorization - MWRA buy-in
On motion by McDonald seconded by West, the Finance Committee moved to recommend
article #12 as discussed for the Subsequent Town Meeting. The Motion was approved by a
vote of 8-0-0.
Chuck Robinson will present the report.
Article 15 - Value of surplus property
On motion by Martin seconded by Torman, the Finance Committee moved to recommend
article #15 as discussed for the Subsequent Town Meeting. The motion was approved by a
vote of 8-0-0.
Paul Bolger will present the report.
Article 17 - Early Retirement Incentive - RMLD
Action pending from FinCom.
Finance Committee Meeting - October 16, 2003 _ Pate 4
Follow-up from Financial Forum
The Fincom Committee will have a short presentation at the Town Meeting.
On motion by Martin seconded by McDonald the Finance Committee voted to adjourn the
meeting of October 16, 2003 at 8:45 p.m. by a vote of 8-0-0.
Re p ctful ubmitted,
Secretary