HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-08-27 Finance Committee MinutesRECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
Finance Committee Meeting READING, N MASS.
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August 27, 2003
2004 JUL - 6 P 4: 4 8
The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room, 16 Lowell
Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Finance Committee Chairman Jim
Francis, Finance Committee Members Richard McDonald, Paul Bolger, Charles
Robinson, Robert LeLacheur, Marsie West and Hal Torman. Also present were
Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, School Committee Chairman Peter Dahl, School
Committee Member John Russo, Selectman Camille Anthony and resident Bill Brown.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by Robinson seconded by LeLacheur, the minutes of the Finance
Committee Meeting of August 6,2003 were approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Chuck Robinson agreed to serve as the Finance Committee appointment to the Charter
Review Committee.
On motion by Francis seconded by McDonald, Robinson was appointed to the
Charter Review Committee by a vote of 6-0-1.
The Town Manager reviewed the outline for the Financial Forum Meeting.
He suggested that the first item would be to address the issue of financing of the Reading
Memorial High School.
The second item would be to review the FY 2005 Budget process including the
brainstorming follow up and major known changes for FY 2005. This will include
reports by the various committees established by the Finance Committee.
The third item would be the review of the FY 2004 revenues, the surplus State Aid and
options to address that.
The fourth item would be to review the general schedule for the FY 2005 Budget.
Paul Bolger reported on the Resource Utilization Committee. He will modify a copy of
the notes for inclusion in the Financial Forum packet.
Chuck Robinson reviewed the Finance Committee Survey discussion, and will produce a
one-page report for the Financial Forum.
Jim Francis will produce a one-page summary of other issues that the Finance Committee
is addressing, and have that for the Financial Forum.
Although Andrew Grimes was not present tonight, it is hoped that he will be able to
produce a copy of his report for the Financial Forum.
Finance Committee Meeting; - August 27, 2003 - Page 2
It was suggested under additional Finance Committee work that a five-year plan for
revenue and expenses should be produced, and it was suggested that this should be done
by September 30th. The Town Manager noted that these forecasts are not very accurate
but that staff would produce the requested documentation.
There was some discussion on labor negotiations strategy, and it was suggested that this
should be a joint Executive Session of the School Committee, Finance Committee and the
Board of Selectmen.
One of the issues that Selectman Camille Anthony raised was whether or not we should
be on the same schedule for all labor unions. Currently, the School Department Unions
have one more year on their contract than the Town unions.
The Finance Committee agreed to meet next on September 17, 2003.
On motion by McDonald seconded by West, the Finance Committee voted to
adjourn their meeting of August 27, 2003 at 9:10 p.m. by a vote of 7-0-0.
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