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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-07-10 Finance Committee MinutesFINANCE COMMITTEE + L lj READING MASSACHUSETTS r E "'IA S s. FINANCIAL FORUM JULY 10 2000 CALL TO ORDER At 7:10 p.m. Chair Cavicchi called the meeting to order. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, Griset and Keigley. Mr. Twomey arrived at 7:55 p.m. Finance Committee Members Grimm, McDonald, Grimmer, Robinson, LeLacheur and Grimes were present. Members Francis and Cohen arrived during executive session. Also present was Superintendent Harutunian. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 7:10_pm._Mr. Dahl made a motion to enter into executive session for the burrmose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Superintendent Custodians and Maintenance Workers and'to discuss pending litigation. To return to regular session at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset and Mr. Keigley. At 7:12 p.m. Ms. Grimm made a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation, to return to regular session at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Robinson seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Grimm Mr. McDonald Ms. Grimmer Mr. Robinson Mr. LeLacheur and Mr. Grimes CALL BACK TO ORDER The Board of Selectmen called to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Selectmen Cummings, Hines, Hoyt and Nestor. Also present were Town Manager Hechenbleikner, Treasurer Beth Klepeis, Town Accountant Richard Foley Library Board of Trustees Mr. Conner and Ms. Indelicato and Acting Library Director Diane Young. At 7:43 p.m. Chair Grimm called the Financial Forum Meeting back to order. At 7:55 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi called the School Committee back to order. REVENUE UPDATE Richard Foley updated the forum on revenues and free cash. Beth Klepeis updated the committee on sale of real estate funds. FINANCIAL FORUM -2- JULY 10 2000 Ms. Grimm asked about funds from the Burbank Ice Rink. Town Manager Hechenbleikner advised that he would be. meeting with representatives from the Burbank Ice Rink later this summer and that the estimate for the funds is $200,000. He noted that the $200,000 may not be coming in one lump sum. INITIATIVES Town Manager Hechenbleikner discussed initiatives including pending special education legislations, sale of the landfill and the re-development of Addison Wesley. Mr. Dahl cautioned that the pending legislation for special education may not necessarily mean a savings cost to the town. He stated that students would be grandfathered in under the legislation. Mr. Dahl stated that it may help to reduce costs for new students or unanticipated students. The Town Manager advised that Dickinson is the selected developer for the landfill. He advised that funds from this would probably not be seen until the second half of FY02. The Town Manager advised that the re-development of Addison Wesley was moving, forward. He stated that the benefit to the Town on this would be an increase in fees and tax revenue and that increase would not be seen until FY03. Mr. Brown asked if the re-development could produce a loss or revenue. Town Manager Hechenbleikner stated that it may it would depend on phasing and staging. SCHEDULE FOR FY02 BUDGET Chair Grimm discussed incremental revenues. She stated that for FY02 either budget will have to be cut or we have to raise money for next year's budget. The Town Manager stated that it is important to identify all budget issues in September this year not in March. The Financial Forum then discussed the proposed draft schedule presented by the Town Manager. FINANCIAL FORUM -3- JULY 10, 2000 The Town Manager stated that he felt it was very important to have the order of magnitude and to be fairly specific and upfront with the citizens of Reading regarding what cuts would have to be made if an override is not approved. He stated that time is. needed to educate the public on the issues. Chair Grimm suggested that the Financial Forum meet with labor counsel to discuss upcoming negotiations. The members of the School Committee stated their concern about having a budget number by September 20th. The School Committee's budget process includes input from the public and the members stated their concern that the public still have an opportunity to give input. Mr. Cummings asked where the School Committee is on the issue of the override for the high school. Mr. Twomey stated that there is still uncertainty regarding changes in SBA funding. Mr. Twomey also stated that there is legislation being proposed that may drastically alter the way communities are required to do their projects. He stated that if SBA regulations are changed, the high school may be able to be completed one section at a time. At 9:00 p.m. the Boards caucused to determine a date for having budget numbers prepared. It was the consensus of the School Committee that a meeting to obtain public input and staff input for the FY02 budget could be held on September 12th and the number could be presented to the Financial Forum on September 18th At 9:15 p.m. Chair Grimm called the meeting back to order. All Boards agreed to the date of September 18th for a Financial Forum. Mr. Cummings asked the School Committee if the number they would be bringing to the meeting on September 18th would be this year's budget using next year's numbers. Mr. Dahl stated that was not correct. The School Committee would be presenting a level services budget, which may include additional staff due to enrollment issues. He stated that the budget would not be over inflated nor under inflated. Dr. Harutunian requested that a representative from the Finance Committee and the th Board of Selectmen attend the School Committee meeting on September 12 FINANCIAL FORUM -4- JULY 10 2000 It was the consensus of the Financial Forum that a meeting with labor counsel should be scheduled in August. The Town Manager and Superintendent will get back to the Forum with a date. EXECUTIVE SESSION/ADJOURN At 9:30 p.m. Mr. Twomey moved to recess and return to executive session. To return from executive session at approximately 9:45 p.m. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. At 9:35 p.m. the Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen adjourned. Respectfully submitted, S reta ~vxlooe-