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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-03-15 Finance Committee Minutes-0-0 Finance Committee Meeting ( March 15, 1993 The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Conference Room, at c3J3/~1~3 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. The following members were present: Chairman Richard Coco, Fred Van Magness, Jim Keigley, Steve Blewitt, Bill Albro, Liz Greene, Bill Murphy, Gerry MacDonald and Nate White. Also in attendance were Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Roger Sanstad, David Finney, Russell Graham, Dr. Munnelly, Matt Cummings, Gail Wood and Maria Silvaggi from the Chronicle. The Finance Committee reviewed the Minutes from the February 22, 1993 meeting. On motion by Gerry MacDonald seconded by Bill Murphy the Minutes were approved with correction's, $15,000 reduction for blacktop, by a vote of 7-0-1 with Nate White abstaining. Jim Keigley announced that the Capital Improvement Advisory Committee will meet with the Finance Committee at Wednesday's meeting, March 17, 1993 from 7:30-8:00 p.m. A question was brought to the committee's attention regarding f;-'the overide. If it passes, $204,000 will go to Capital Improvements. What will happen in years to follow with the monies? The Town Manager stated that it will be spent on capital expenditures. The Finance Committee began to review the special articles. Article 15 consisted of the replacement of 5 small areas of the roof at the high school, which needs to be done in fiscal year 1994. If the overide does pass and additional state aid is funded, this budgeted amount, $70,000, will be taken out of the school budget. There are also 2 more projects for roof construction at the high school to.be done in 1995 and 1997. On review of Article 17 the Town Manager states that it will probably be put on hold until next year, due to the fact that Boston Gas is on strike and we are unable to get information. The Finance Committee discussed other articles, but decided to wait until March 17, 1993 to vote on them. On motion by Nate White seconded by Bill Murphy the Finance Committee voted to support the overide on March 23, 1993. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-2-0. At 8:40 p.m. the Finance Committee adjorned for a 5 minute recess. j The School Building Committee made a presentation for the renovations at the Birch Meadow and Joshua Eaton Schools. Finance Committee Meeting March 15, 1993 'Page 2 Roger Sanstad stated that at Birch Meadow in the year 1988 there were 388 students. In the year 1995 a projected 582 students will be enrolled there. There will be an increase in classrooms, 5 will be added. There will be an upgrade in heat and electrical, site work and several other changes. The total cost for renovations are $2.099 million. 66% plus interest is reimbursable from the state. At Joshua Eaton there will be additional classrooms also, and new lavatories and the cafeteria will change to a cafetorium. The mechanical and electrical need full replacement and there will be renovations to the clock tower. The total cost of renovations is $4.2 million. Fred Van Magness discussed the fact that all the windows should be replaced instead of scraping and painting a select few. In the long run it will probably save in the future. Bill Albro questions the contamination removal budgeted for Joshua Eaton. It is the removing of asbestos from the pipe insulation in the crawl space. Russell Graham states that things are getting worse and attention is needed. In the Annual Budget with a overide there is 6.5% available for capital expenditures, which represents what we are doing now. Even this 6.5% is not spending enough on capital assets. Fred Van Magness states that adding more classrooms means additional teachers as well as additional costs for maintenance. In response, it is being done a cost effective way instead of constructing a new building. Also discussed was in the future there will be renovations at the Parker Middle School. All proposals received from architect's showed the building to be structurally sound. Also discussed was the possibility of capping enrollment-at Coolige Middle School. Fred Van Magness states why not have one site for a middle school? For example at Coolige Middle School. In response, they are reviewing all possibilities. Upon discussion of Article 16, $30,000 is needed to refurbish the track at the high school. For the surface and for relining. $60,000 is needed to purchase a portable for the Birch Meadow 'School, and this would be in the school budget if the overide passes. The Finance Committee adjorned the meeting at 10:20 p.m.