HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-02-27 Finance Committee MinutesFinancial Committee Meeting
February 27, 2002
The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Police Station Community Room, 15 Union
Street, Reading Massachusetts. Present were Finance Committee members Richard
McDonald, Karen Epstein, James Francis, Mary Grimmer, Andrew Grimes, and Randy
Mason, School Committee member Pete Dahl, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner,
Police Chief Bob Silva, Fire Chief Greg Burns, and resident Gerry MacDonald.
On a motion by James Francis, seconded by Mary Grimmer, the Finance Committee
voted to approve the minutes of their October 24, 2001, meeting.
The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
On a motion by Karen Epstein, seconded by Randy Mason, the Finance Committee voted
to approve the minutes of their December 17, 2001, meeting, as amended.
The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
On a motion by Randy Mason, seconded by James Francis, the Finance Committee voted
to approve the minutes of their January 2, 2002, meeting.
The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
On a motion by James Francis, seconded by Mary Grimmer the Finance Committee voted
1 to approve the minutes of their February 11, 2002, meeting, as amended.
The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
FY 2003 Budget
Peter Hechenbleikner reviewed the FY 2003 budget. There is an increase of $420,104.
This is a 2.8% increase over the FY 2002 budget.
Budget Expense History
Peter Hechenbleikner reviewed the budget expense history. Employee benefits have
increased I% due to health insurance.
F5, F6, Fire/Emergency Mgmt - $2,649,444
Peter Hechenbleikner reviewed the budget reductions of the past three years:
FY2001 - $61,336
FY 2002 - $85,349
FY 2003 - $52,800
Peter Hechenbleikner does not recommend level funding the fire/emergency management
department for FY2003. The result would be reducing two positions and the amount
budgeted for overtime. There is currently one fire fighter in the hospital, which means an
increase in overtime. James Francis questioned what it would take to reduce the amount
of overtime. Fire Chief Burns replied the department is understaffed. Four groups of
eleven firefighters would be the optimal numbers. They currently have three groups of
ten and one group of eleven.
Finance Committee - February 27, 2002 page 2
They are proposing to promote one firefighter to a Lieutenant with a salary increase of
$6,744. This is less expensive than an Assistant Fire Chief is. Fire Chief Burns stated
Emergency Management has increased since September 11, 2001, to protect the
communities' resources. Resident Gerry MacDonald questioned the safety of reducing
the hose expense in FY 2003. Chief Bums responded there are some very old hoses. They
will test all of the hose in the spring.
Capital: Fire/emergency mgt. is requesting the replacement of their turnout gear for
$18,000.
F1, F2 Police - $2,950,025
There is a 3.4% increase in salaries and a 1.5% increase in expenses. There is a proposed
reduction of $9,000 in overtime. There are no personnel reductions. There are two new
vehicles in the operating budget. They received a grant to replace 5 radar units. The
$3,750 in the budge is for their maintenance. The States reductions eliminated their
DARE budget of $15,000. This money was used for overtime. The DARE officer's salary
is in the police budget.
Capital: Dispatch equipment for $5,000. There were not enough funds in the budget for
this when the new police station was built.
F3, F4 Animal Control - $11,531
F7, F8, Dispatch - $335,306
Reading's dispatchers were the lowest paid in the area. They have tried to change this.
The state has mandated 16 hours of training for all 911 dispatchers. The maintenance of
the central computers at the police station is included in this budget.
Karen Epstein requested the minutes be emailed in advance to the Finance Committee
members.
On a motion by James Francis, seconded by Andrew Grimes, the Finance Committee
voted to adjourn at 9:45 p.m.
The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0-0.
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Respectfully submitted,
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