HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-01-31 Finance Committee MinutesFinance Committee Meeting
January 31, 2001
RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
READING. MASS.
The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Conference Room, at the Town W 15 A► 10= 5U
Lowell Street, Reading Massachusetts. Present were Chair Carol Grimm, Vice Chair
Richard McDonald, FinCom Members Catherine Martin, Charles Robinson, James
Francis, Robert LeLacheur, Neil Cohen, Andrew Grimes, James Francis, Town Manager
Peter Hechenbleikner, Asst. Town Manager Russ Dean, and Selectman Matthew
Cummings.
On a motion by Richard McDonald, seconded by Mary Grimmer, the Finance Committee
voted to approve the minutes of their January 3, 2001 meeting.
The motion was approved by a vote of 9-0-0.
On a motion by Mary Grimmer, seconded by Catherine Martin, the Finance Committee
voted to release the Executive Session minutes of their March 29, 2000 meeting.
The motion was approved by a vote of 9-0-0.
On a motion by Catherine Martin, seconded by Richard McDonald, the Finance
Committee voted to approve the minutes of their January 17, 2001 meeting, as amended.
The motion was approved by a vote of 9-0-0.
Capital Appropriations
( 1 Peter Hechenbleikner reviewed the Capital Appropriations for FYI 999, FY2000, and
FY2001 and the Capital Appropriation requests for FY2002.
Capital Appropriation requests for FY2002 included a request to replace the outside track
at the Reading Memorial High School. The replacement cost for the track is $90,000. The
Town has received a donation for $30,000, leaving a balance of $60,000.
There is a $281,000 capital request for roadwork. This is as a result of the Pavement
Management Study, prepared by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. The study recommended
spending $850,000, per year, for the next ten years. The Town would receive
approximately $310,000 per year, from the State Chapter 90 money. The balance is
divided between the operating budget and the capital plan depending on whether it is
repairs or new pavement. The first three years would be mostly crack sealing, patching
and overlay work. Carol Grimm stated that in the past, the Town has not exceeded the
Chapter 90 money because there wasn't enough manpower. Peter Hechenbleikner stated
all the roadwork would be contracted out. Bob LeLacheur was concerned with the
amount of traffic on West Street and people using Reading as a cut through to other
towns. Peter Hechenbleikner replied that after the roadwork is completed on West Street
the traffic could be limited to exclude heavy trucks. Matthew Cummings stated the
Selectmen's priority is to keep the roads from deteriorating further.
Matthew Cummings stated the Selectmen would be going through the budget to see what
they recommend removing to reach these totals.
Finance Committee January 31, 2001
page 2
Pete Dahl stated $80,000, of the requested $115,000 for classroom technology, would be
used to implement a language arts program and the rest at Coolidge Middle School to
bring it to the same level as Parker Middle School.
Peter Hechenbleikner reviewed the recommended "deferred" capital request for the
FY2002 budget. Peter recommended the Finance Committee prepare a FY2002 budget
including the additional money of an override and a list of deductions if the override is
not voted in.
Catherine Martin was concerned with the amount of roadwork in the budget and
recommended cutting the amount in half.
Finance Committee Schedule of meetings:
February 21, 2001
February 28, 2001
March 7, 2001
March 14, 2001
March 21, 2001
April 4, 2001
- On a motion by Neil Cohen, seconded by Mary Grimmer, the Finance Committee
( ) unanimously voted to adjourn their meeting at 10:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
o y ohr
Recording Secretary