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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-03-16 Finance Committee MinutesRCGOVED TC V.-i'l! GLER \ MINUTES OF THE READING FINANCE COM#fME 3G MARCH 16, 1992 This meeting of the Finance Committee was held in the Conference Room of Reading Town Hall and was called to order at 7.•36 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT. ' OTHERS PRESENT.• Bill Burditt, Chairman Fred VanMagness, Vice Chairman Dick Coco Pete Dahl Gerry MacDonald Carroll MacMillan Bill Murphy Nate White Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager Deidre Hanley, Library Trustee Elia Marnick, Chairman Library Trustees Carol Beckwith, Library Trustee Christine Redford, Trustee Ruth Coggan, Director, Human Services Lois Bond, Elder Services Representative Paul Farrell, Veterans Agent Joe Giordano, Recreation Committee Rep Leslie Wexler, Recreation Committee Rep I. FINANCE COMMITTEE DISCUSSION A. Chairman Addresses the Committee *Bill Burditt announced at this meeting that he would be turning the meeting over to the Vice Chairman, Fred VanMagness this evening for a short time. Mr. Burditt indicated that he would be leaving for participation in the Candidates' -1- Night in Reading. Mr. Burditt has announced his candidacy for the position of. Selectmen for the Town of Reading. *The Chairman discussed the schedule of Budget meetings on the roster and told the Committee that he would prefer not to have a meeting on next Monday evening, March 23. *The Chairman left at 7.•53 P.M. and Vice Chairman VanMagness acted as Chairman for the duration of this meeting. II. BUDGET A. Library *Peter Hechenbleikner began explaining the Library and its role in making readily available all library materials selected in response to both the diverse reading and educational needs of all community members; to offer youth an active library program designed to stress the value of reading and communicating; to deliver information which meets community needs; and to vigorously promote the use of all library services and thereby, increase public awareness of the Library in the community. *In his talk to the Finance Committee, Peter indicated that the Library is a vital part of the Town's infrastructure. it provides essential services to people of all ages. The Library is part of the solution to serious social problems, such as illiteracy and unemployment. The Library is indispensable to the educational system, offering residents the means to pursue studies in depth, through the expertise of the Staff and advanced computer technology. The Library also bears major responsibility for important intellectual freedom issues related to free access to information. *In this discussion, Peter told the Committee that book buying has been reduced significantly $50,000. *Nate White asked about the Noble System and the Library Director explained it to him. *Bill Murphy inquired as to whether any of the universities were apart of the Noble System and it was indicated that larger colleges have their own -2- systems, but community college do use Noble. MOTION. Geny MacDonald moved to approve the Personal Expense budget for the Library in the amount of $383,810 and Fred VanMagness seconded this move to approve. VOTE. 8 - 0 - 0 APPROVED MOTION.. Geny MacDonald moved to approve Non-Personal Expense budget for Library in the amount of $77,253 and Bill Murphy seconded this motion to approve. DISCUSSION.. Pete Dahl talked of the Town Manager's figures being higher in budget. VOTE. 8 - 0 - 0 APPROVED B. Human Services *The Town Manager, in presenting this budget, indicated that the Health Division is decreasing the Public Health Nurse position. *Peter told the group that the Health Inspector is also the inspector of Sealing and Weights and Measures. *The Budget was explained and it was indicated that the Eastern Middlesex Human Services has gone up in fee , but that ER,ARC job training remains the same. *Geny MacDonald has concern and questioned Ruth Cogan about the lack of a Public Health Nurse. *Pete Dahl asked if the services of the School Department nurses would be available for these services and asked about School Department and having the Summer off from their jobs as nurses. -3- *Pete talked of the program for adolescent girls as being excellent. i MOTION: Nate White moved to approve Personal Services in Health Division Budget in the amount of $21,993 and Dick Coco seconded this move to approve this Budget. VOTE. 7 - 0 - 0 APPROVED MOTION.• Pete Dahl moved to approve line E-2 in the amount of $36,660 and Gerry MacDonald seconded this move to approve this Budget. VOTE. 7 - 0 - 0 APPROVED C. Elder Services *The Town Manager explained this Budget with the help o those in i I attendance from this department. It was indicated that the Outreach Program was reinstated. *Meals on Wheels was explained as deliveries of meals to home-bound elderly people in Town. Volunteers visit elderly and drive them to appointments. *Shopping Assistance Program is self-supporting through donations. *The fuel expenses are for the van and wheelchairs are lifted by this equipment. *Pete Dahl had a question on the Meals on Wheels Program and asked if the food comes to the Town Hall. *Peter told the Committee that the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners are still volunteered by people in the Town. MOTION: Gerry MacDonald moved to approve Personal Services Budget in the amount of $69,690 and Dick Coco seconded this move to approve this Budget. VOTE. 7 - 0 - 0 APPROVED MOTION.• Gerry MacDonald moved to approve Non-Personal Expense Budget in the amount of $4,576 and Carroll MacMillan seconded this move to approve this Budget. VOTE. 7 - 0 - 0 APPROVED D. Veterans' Services *Peter Hechenbleikner presented this budget and introduced Mr. Paul Farrell to the Committee, who works tirelessly for the Veterans' Aid Program. MOTION.• Bill Murphy moved to approve Personal Services in this Budget in the amount of $6,234 and Carroll MacMillan seconded this move. DISCUS SION.• Pete Dahl's question was to ask whether the work could be done at this level of funding and Ruth Coggan spoke about this part of the Budget in explanation to the Committee. AMENDMENT MOTION.• Pete Dahl moved to amend this motion to $7,571 and Gerry MacDonald seconded this amendment motion. VOTE. 4 - 3 - 0 APPROVED MOTION.• Bill Murphy moved to approve E-6 in the amount of $22,000 and Gerry MacDonald seconded this move to approve. -5- VOTE: 7 - 0 - 0 APPROVED i MOTION.• Bill Murphy moved to approve Non-Personal Budget in the amount of $400 and Gerry MacDonald seconded this move. VOTE: 7 - 0 - 0 APPROVED E. Recreation Department *Peter Hechenbleilzner discussed this Budget with the Committee. *Carroll MacMillan made mention of the amount of drinking of alcoholic beverages that goes on at some of the Recreational functions in the Town of Reading and there was discussion about the legal perspectives. Permits can be pulled. There has been neighborly concern about the amounts of times this occurs. *Geny MacDonald raised the question of the possibility of any i absorption from R M L D on the lighting costs. *Pete Dahl asked about the issue of liability. *The Town Manager answered that the Town is liable, but that the Town has legal counsel on their behalf. MOTION.• Gerry MacDonald moved to approve in the amount of $17,885 and Pete Dahl seconded this move to approve this Budget. DISCUSSION.• Joe Giordano, speaking on behalf of the Recreation Committee told of how far the Committee has come in the past three years and emphasized the importance in continuing. Gerry MacDonald asked if Mr. Giordano was trying to increase hours and the salary of the Program Director of the Recreation Department. -6- Bill Murphy asked about the account breaking even. Shall we see an increase in revenue. VOTE: 6 - 0 -1 APPROVED (WITH BILL MURPHYABSTAINED) MOTION: Gerry MacDonald moved to approve Non-Personal Expense in this Budget in the amount of $800 and Carroll MacMillan seconded this move to approve. DISCUS SION.• Pete Dahl had a question on the electric cost and it was defined. VOTE: 7 - 0 - 0 APPROVED Were, the Town Manager emphasized the creativity in the printing of the Recreation Department brochure. F. General Department *Peter presented this portion of the Budget and there were questions from the Committee. *Dick Coco asked about supply buying and it was explained. *Gerry MacDonald had queries on support staff. *Pete Dahl talked of a tremendous decrease in this particular budget and wanted to make sure that people would be taken care of sufficiently. MOTION.• Gerry MacDonald moved to approve in the amount of $82,334 and Dick Coco seconded this move to approve General Department Budget. VOTE: 7 - 0 - 0 APPROVED MOTION.• Gerry MacDonald moved to approve the General Department Budget line E-11 in the amount of $1170. AMENDMENT MOTION.• Pete Dahl amended this motion in the amount of $1770 and Gerry MacDonald seconded this amendment of motion. DISCUSSION.• Gerry had a question on the envelope printing. AMENDMENT VOTE. S - 2 - 0 APPROVED AT THIS TIME THE COMMITTEE TOOK A 15 MINUTE RECESS G. General Services *Chairman Bill Burditt arrived back at the meeting at 9.11 PM and i Peter Hechenbleikner proceeded to present this Budget to the Committee. *In his explanation of this Budget, Peter indicated that there were two retirements of secretarial personnel, reduction would be. 7 personnel. MOTION.• Bill Murphy moved to approve General Services Budget in the amount of $93,266 and Gerry MacDonald seconded this move to approve. VOTE. 8 - 0 - 0 APPROVED H. Public Safety *The Town Manager indicated that the Dispatch Center was a critical area in the Town. MOTION.• Gerry MacDonald moved to approve Personal Services in this Budget in the amount of $147,682 and Dick Coco seconded this move. -8- DISCUSSION.: Pete Dahl asked how many were on the evening shifts and where is the Dispatch Center located. Peter indicated that the Center was in the Police Station. VOTE. 8 - 0 - 0 APPROVED MOTION: Gerry MacDonald moved to approve Non-Personal Expense in this Budget in the amount of $15,241 and Bill Murphy seconded this move to approve. VOTE. 8 - 0 - 0 APPROVED I. Public Schools *Discussion turned to the School Department once again in the Budgetary hearings of the evening, and Carroll MacMillan voiced his opinion about strong feelings to have the School Department back to face Finance Committee. Carroll feels the Schools should be challenged and he cannot support the amount of money for School Department budget appropriations. *Pete Dahl indicated that the Schools provided, what he considered, a good defense to their Budget. *Chairman Burditt is not sure that the Committee would gain any more with the School Committee. Bill asked for a sense of the committee. *Nate White elaborated on the School Department Budget and sees nothing to be gained in going through this Budget again. *Pete Dahl indicated that this Committee cannot tell the Schools how to cut another x number of dollars. *Carroll MacMillan emphasized, again, that he feels that the School Department budget clearly has increases and that challenging the schools to defend all their figures is logical. -9- *Dick Coco agrees with Carroll MacMillan regarding the School Department budget. Dick indicated that the rest of the Town of Reading is not getting salary increases. *Bill Burditt spoke of the secretary's union in the Schools. *Gerry MacDonald also is not satisfied that more cuts could not have been made. *Bill Murphy asked about the letter that Chairman Burditt wrote and not getting a response. MOTION.• Gerry MacDonald moved to request that the School Committee for the Town of Reading meet again with the Finance Committee and Dick Coco seconded this move to have School Committee meet with Fincom next Wednesday, March 25. DISCUSSION.• The Chairman feels that he has already heard what the Schools will cut in their budget. Pete Dahl does not feel we need to bring back Schools to meet with Fincom. VOTE. 2 - 6 - 0 FAILED MOTION: Pete Dahl moved to approve the School Department Budget in the amount of $14M, 395, 427 and Gerry MacDonald seconded this move to approve this Budget. VOTE. 5 - 2 - 1 APPROVED (Dick Coco abstained) J. Vocational School Budget MOTION.• Bill Murphy moved to approve the Vocational School Budget in the amount of $112,965 and Gerry MacDonald seconded this motion. VOTE. 7 - I - 0 APPROVED K. Debt Service Budget MOTION.• Carroll MacMillan moved to approve this Debt Service Budget in the amount of $]M,462,844 and Nate White seconded this move. VOTE: 8 - 0 - 0 APPROVED L. Health Insurance Budget *Peter Hechenbleikner explained this Budget to the Fincom. The Town Manager suggested leaving the formula as it is currently. MOTION: Nate White moved to approve L6 and Pete Dahl seconded this move. VOTE: 8 - 0 - 0 APPROVED M. Water and Sewer Budget *The Town Manager gave comparisons of billing to the Committee. The strong feeling is that Townspeople like bi-monthly billing. Peter gave analysis of arrival of figures. *Dick Coco discussed the expensive water rates and Peter commented that the sewer bills are high and unreasonable. MOTION.• Gerry MacDonald moves to reconsider Water and Sewer for quarterly billing. DISCUSSION.• Carroll MacMillan asked if people would get out and pay smaller-sized bills. -11- *Bill Murphy seemed to have trouble with the rationale. *Chairman Burditt expressed his unhappiness at first about the billing, but now understands the ease in which people can pay and goes along with the bi-monthly payment plan. VOTE: 6 - 2 - 0 APPROVED FOR RECONSIDERATION/ III. AGENDA FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 MEETING&INCOM A. Water and Sewer B. Trash C. Community Development D. Warrants *Wednesday's meeting will be an attempt to complete the process on Budget. IV. RESERVE FUND TRANSFER *Peter Hechenbleikner explained this need to the Committee. Necessity to transfer $9500 into the recycling account to provide recycling until the end of April. This recycling program would be kept alive until Town Meeting time. *Peter indicated that he would prefer to keep the program rather than to re- start it. MOTION.• Bill Burditt moved to approve the $9500 transfer for recycling and Bill Murphy seconds this move to approve. DISCUSSION: Dick Coco is not planning to support this motion and cannot support a Reserve Fund Transfer for this. -12- Bill Burditt indicated that Town Meeting does not want to end the recycling program. Town Meeting would like to preserve this program and look at it again. Pete Dahl supports the recycling transfer. Nate White feels Town Meeting should have a look at it. Nate supports this recycling transfer. VOTE. 6 - 2 - 0 APPROVED FOR TRANSFER V. ADJOURNMENT MOTION.• Bill Murphy moved to adjourn and Gerry seconded. VOTE: 8 - 0 - 0 APPROVED *This meeting of the Reading Finance Committee was adjourned at 10.38 P.M. by Chairman Bill Burditt. Respectfully s omitted, e inn, >ecretary Rea iniz Dance Committee /sf 03/18/92 I i 3-