HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-04-05 Finance Committee MinutesFinance Committee Meeting
Executive Session
April 5, 2000
The meeting convened at 7:40 p.m. in the Conference Room, at the Town Hall, 16
Lowell Street, Reading Massachusetts. Present were Chair Carol Grimm, Vice Chair
Richard McDonald, FinCom Members Charles Robinson, James Francis, Robert
LeLacheur, Neil Cohen, Mary Grimmer, Paul Kurker, also present were Dr. Harutunian,
Pete Dahl and Jim Keigley.
Pete Dahl stated the negotiations between the School Committee and REAP are still in
progress and an agreement is expected soon. REAP has requested a meeting with the
School Committee Chairman and the Superintendent. There are a few issues remaining
on the lease agreement such as auto insurance, indemnification and use of the cafeteria.
Dr. Harutunian stated that Finance Committee's review of the lease isn't mandatory only
supervisory.
Carol Grimm stated the Finance Committee could review the lease before Town Meeting. .
On a roll call vote the Finance Committee unanimously voted to end their executive
C session at 7:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted, nl~
(;iOyvyohXr
Recording Secretary
Finance Committee Meeting
April 5, 2000
1' 3j S.
The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Town Fall 16
Lowell Street, Reading Massachusetts. Present were Chair Carol Grimm e Clair
Richard McDonald, FinCom Members Charles Robinson, James Francis, Robert
LeLacheur, Neil Cohen, Mary Grimmer, Paul Kurker, also present were Peter
Hechenbleikner, Dr. Harutunian, Pete Dahl and Jim Keigley.
The Finance Committee unanimously voted to go into executive session at 7:40 PM to
discuss the leases in Article 16.
The Finance Committee unanimously voted to end the executive session at 7:50 PM and
continue their open meeting.
Dr. Harutunian stated the School Committee expected a FY00 budget shortfall of
$400,000. They have been able to reduce this to $381,000. They expect to reduce this
further by an additional $31,000. The School Department requested a transfer of
$350,000 to cover the shortfall. This total will be used for special education. They also
requested a transfer of $15,000 for the FY00 Town Maintenance budget.
On a motion by James Francis, seconded by Richard McDonald the Finance Committee
voted to approve Article 8 and amend the FY 2000 Budget by $542,935 and to increase
the water salary by $15,000 and decrease the water expenses by $15,000.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0-0.
On a motion by Mary Grimmer, seconded by Robert LeLacheur, the Finance Committee
voted to approve line J. School Department Budget for $23,560,477.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0-0.
On a motion by Richard McDonald, seconded by James Francis, the Finance Committee
voted to approve line I. Building Maintenance for $2,643,688.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0-0.
On a motion by Paul Kurker, seconded by Richard McDonald, the Finance Committee
voted to approve line K. Voke School Assessment for $153,752.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0-0.
On a motion by Richard McDonald, seconded by Robert LeLacheur, the Finance
Committee voted to approve A. Accounting lines Al and A2 for a total of $109,628.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0-0.
On a motion by James Francis, seconded by Robert LeLacheur, the Finance Committee
voted to approve B. Community Development lines B8 and B9 for a total of $240,568.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0-0.
Finance Committee Aprd 5, 2000 page 2
On a motion by Richard McDonald, seconded by Mary Grimmer, the Finance Committee
voted to approve C. Finance lines C12 and C13 for a total of $827,403.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0-0.
On a motion by Paul Kurker, seconded by Neil Cohen, the Finance Committee voted to
approve D. General Services lines D15 and D16 for atotal of $588,634.
The motion was not approved by a vote of 3-4-1.
The Finance Committee discussed the Selectmen's decision to eliminate the Assistant
Town Manager's position. Richard McDonald, James Francis, Mary Grimmer and Robert
LeLacheur questioned whether this decision makes sense long term. Carol Grimm stated
they asked the Selectmen to help with the shortfall and they should respect their decision.
On a motion by Richard McDonald, seconded by James Francis, the Finance Committee
voted to approve E. Human Services lines E12 and E13 for a total of $381,553.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0-0.
On a motion by James Francis, seconded by Richard McDonald, the Finance Committee
voted to approve F. Library lines F 1 and F2 for a total of $798,481.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0-0.
On a motion by Richard McDonald, seconded by Neil Cohen, the Finance Committee
voted to approve G. Public Safety lines G9 and G10 for a total of $5,856,261.
The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0-1.
On a motion by Richard McDonald, seconded by Robert LeLacheur, the Finance
Committee voted to approve H. Public Works line H9 through H16 for a total of
$3,223,746.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0-0.
On a motion by James Francis, seconded by Neil Cohen, the Finance Committee voted to
approve L. Debt Service and Capital Line L1 for $3,938,018.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0-0.
On a motion by Richard McDonald, seconded by Neil Cohen, the Finance Committee
voted to approve line L4 Geographic Information Systems for $70,000.
The motion was approved by a vote of 6-2-0.
On a motion by Richard McDonald, seconded by Neil Cohen, the Finance Committee
voted to approve line L6 Town Hall Major Maintenance for $60,000.
The motion was approved by a vote of 6-1-1.
On a motion by Richard McDonald, seconded by Neil Cohen, the Finance Committee
voted to approve line L12 Replace Pumpers for $225,000.
( The motion was approved by a vote of 5-3-0.
Finance Committee April 5, 2000
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On a motion by Richard McDonald, seconded by Neil Cohen, the Finance Committee
voted to approve line L13 Replace Ambulance for $110,800.
The motion was approved by a vote of 5-3-0.
On a motion by Richard McDonald, seconded by Neil Cohen, the Finance Committee
voted to approve line L15 School Technology for $100,000.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0-0.
On a motion by Richard McDonald, seconded by Mary Grimmer, the Finance Committee
voted to approve line L20 Drainage Improvement for $10,000.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0-0.
On a motion by Richard McDonald, seconded by Mary Grimmer, the Finance Committee
voted to approve line L21 Highway Equipment for $103,000.
The motion was approved by a vote of 4-3-1.
On a motion by Richard McDonald, seconded by Mary Grimmer, the Finance Committee
voted to approve line L22 Sidewalk/Curb for $65,000.
The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0-2.
On a motion by Richard McDonald, seconded by Charles Robinson, the Finance
Committee voted to approve M. Employee Benefits line M8 for a total of $5,688,656.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0-0.
On a motion by Mary Grimmer, seconded by Charles Robinson, the Finance Committee
voted to approve N. Water Fund lines N1 through N4 for a total of $2,543,406.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0-0.
On a motion by Mary Grimmer, seconded by Robert LeLacheur, the Finance Committee
voted to approve O. Sewer Fund lines O 1 through 04 for a total of $3,685,194.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0-0.
On a motion by James Francis, seconded by Paul Kurker, the Finance Committee voted
to approve the subject matter of Article 9 and recommend the Capital Improvement
Program for FY 2001 - FY 2010 drafted April 4, 2000.
The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0-1
On a motion by Mary Grimmer, seconded by James Francis, the Finance Committee
voted to approve the minutes of February 23, 2000 by a vote of 7-0-1.
Finance Committee April 5, 2000
On a motion by Neil Cohen, seconded by Mary Grimmer, the Finance Committee
unanimously voted to adjourn their meeting at 10:05 PM
Respectfully submitted,
oy Mohr
Recording Secretary
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