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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-11-17 Finance Committee MinutesMINUTES OF THE READING FINANCE COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 17, 1992 RECE11!~D b L F f~ rw~ 17 119 i'`' This meeting of the Reading Finance Committee was held in the Conference Room of Reading Town Hall on the evening of November 17, 1992. MEMBERS PRESENT. OTHERS PRESENT: Dick Coco, Chairman Fred Van Magness, Vice Chairman Liz Greene Bill Albro Jim Keigley Gerry MacDonald Nate White Maria Silvaggi, Reporter, READING CHRONICLE I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL *Chairman Dick Coco called this meeting of the Reading Finance Committee to order and prepared the roll call of members. y IL BUSINESS A. Review of School Department MOTION: Gerry MacDonald moved to approve $14,000 and pay accounting firm of Pete Marwick. Jim Keigley seconded this motion to approve. AMENDMENT: Fred Van Magness moved to approve $10,000 to pay accounting firm of Pete Marwick Liz Greene seconded this motion to approve. DISCUSSION: Jim Keigley agreed with Fred's motion and discussed it. AMENDMENT VOTE: 5 - 2 - 0 APPROVED FOR $10,000 FOR AUDIT VVI l 6,, D 6. s z-- B. Seigel Company for $1,000 *Nate White indicated that this startled him cold. MOTION: Gerry MacDonald moved to pay Seigel Companyand Fred Van Magness seconded this motion to approve. VOTE: 0 - 7 - 0 REJECTED C. School Department Questions *Chairman Dick Coco discussed Carroll MacMillan's concern regarding absentee days for Staff of School Department. Carroll felt high proponderance of sick time for teachers, especially on the days of Friday and Monday. *Chairman Coco asked the Finance Committee to ask their individual Personnel Departments about the accounting information on sick time. Vim Keigley indicated that the rate of absenteeism is higher in schools ' because of illnesses of the students that all teachers and staff are subjected to in their work. *Liz Greene discussed out of pocket costs for supplies of elementary school teachers. Liz suggested looking at both sides of all the issues. *Fred Van- Magness asked what the step is- to stop absenteeism amongst teachers and would like some backup information regarding absenteeism in the area surrounding Towns. D. Professional Development Questions Department. information. *Computer data sheets were received this evening from the School *Fred Van Magness discussed cash dispersements data sheets *Nate White suggested that someone from the accounting structure should have been available to assist with some answers. *Chairman Coco asked the Committee if they would like to take a complete data list home for review for next week. *Bill Albro took the data sheets pertaining to vendor listings. Vate White had a question on year-end encumberances' paperwork. *Dick Coco stated that the Finance Committee received what they had asked for from the School Committee. Vate White explained what he needs for encumberance significances. *Fred VanMagness asked for the minutes of meetings of the School Committee and if there were any questions on encumberances answered. *1Vate White to investigate Metco funding. *Chairman Coco distributed the data sheets and questions requested by Committee to each individual member of Finance Board. *Reporter Maria Silvaggi suggested to the Finance Committee that the Reading Tapayers Association by given these data reports to go over and bring before the School Committee for explanations. *Dick Coco discussed the cover letter from the School Committee explaining these data sheets. The cover letter indicated that this School Department does not keep an encumberance system. *1Vate White to take Metco data sheets. Vim Keigley to take item #5, Athletic data sheets. *Bill Albro to take I B, 1991 FY. *Fred Van Magness to take 1A, 1992 FY. *Gerry MacDonald to take Revolving Funds Summary. *Dick Coco to take Staffing, item #3. *Uz Greene to take Building Maintenance items. *Fred Van Magness suggested a request for more data from the School Department. The data received came to the Finance Committee without an interpretor. Unfortunately, the School Committee did not attend this meeting. *Chairman Coco 'shall request that a member of the School Committee appear at the next Finance Committee meeting. *There was a discussion by Jim Keigley regarding checks and using so many each week. E Letter from Matt Cummings *A letter from Chairman of the School Committee, Matt Cummings regarding Finance Committee audit of specific inquiries of a severance package for the former Assistant Superintendent was read aloud at this time. *Fred Van Magness read the Assistant Superintendent's contract aloud to Committee Members. *Fred is bothered by #6 and days of vacation taken by the former Assistant Superintendent. Mr. Van Magness indicated frustration, at best. *Bill Albro suggests that this is a policy issue in terms of whether contractural vacation policy is consistent in discharge. *Gerry MacDonald sums up on this as a foul)-up and errors of judgment in handling the matter. *Time and discussion was used to determine the validity of utilization of vacation time of Lynn Bak. *Gerry MacDonald wants the list of vacation days of Lynn Bak since her acceptance of the position of Assistant Superintendent here in Reading. Vate White talked of the Chairman of the School Committee and his relationship with the Superintendent. *Liz Greene indicated that this was a management issue. *Fred Van Magness indicated never seeing this in public session and perhaps this was made in executive session. Vick Coco gave a summary of problem which had occurred. *Fred would not accept #7 with regard to the attendance logs for the Assistant Superintendent for the two fiscal years 91 and 92. *Fred indicated that in going over the Assistant Superintendent's contract, the contract was found to be too loose in structure. *Contract discussion went on between Liz Greene and Fred Van Magness. Fred simply would like an answer and further contracts would need better language and specifics. ( 1 III. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Gerry MacDonald moved to approve adjournment of this meeting and Fred Van Magness seconded this move to approve adjournment. VOTE: 7 - 0 0 APPROVED *This meeting of the Reading Finance Committee was then adjourned at 9:40 PM. 11/29/92 /sf