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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-03-12 Finance Committee MinutesREADING FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING OF 3/12/90 This meeting of the Reading Finance Committee was held at Town Hall, in the Conference Room, and was called to order by Chairman Burditt at 7:30 P.M. Members Present: Bill Burditt, Chairman Liz Greene, Vice Chairman Don Allen Nick Agneta Charlie Catalfamo Dick Coco Jerry MacDonald Nate White Others Present: Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager Police Chief, Mr. Marchand Ted McIntyre, Department of Public Works Maria Silvaggi, Reporter, READING CHRONICLE I. B U S I N E S S A. Police Department Budget e Peter Hechenbleikner presented the revised budget before the Committee. A figure of $10,066 was cited with an.additional patrol officer. Police budget for personal services=$lm,779,613. m Bill Burditt commented on the revised budget at the last moment of presentation. Bill spoke out loud his feelings of on whether additions should be made at this time. e Mr. Agneta asked the Committee what was set in prior years regarding this. e Don Allen commented that Finance Committee makes recommenda- tions. e Peter spoke of Finance Committee adding and subtracting as budget went along. e Bill spoke of balanced budget. Town Manager's presented amount vs. the Finance Committee's recommended amount. 2.780 reductions on items voted on prior to tonight's meeting. Motion: Liz Greene moved to approve the Police Department budget for personal service costs in the amount of $1M,779,613 and Mr. Agneta seconded this. Discussion: Mr. MacDonald speaks of originally having funds for the two patrolmen who were let qo. Was-the--is-cal 90-budget r adequate :fox the full force. Yes was Chief's comment. Reading Finance Committee 3/12/90 e Mr. Coco questioned the Chief about importances of the in- centives - or more importance in having two more "cons on the beat". e Chief Marchand claimed educational incentives are in all Towns,are important. e Mr. Coco then added that he felt different-dollar amounts should be offered. e Peter Hechenbleikner indicated that the goal was to get the salary of police officers competitive and comparable with other communities. e Here, Mr. Coco discusses the current salaries of policemen and school teachers and this discussion went around the table. e Mr. Agneta had.a question on the school traffic figure. With less school buses, the question from Nick was is there a safety issue in not covering the school traffic. e Chief answers that there is a safety issue, but the police department will get this information from the School Department on this issue sometime in June. School crossing guards are difficult to acquire, commented the Chief. Vote: 6 - 2 - 0 approved. For the record, Mr. Coco is unhappy with the incentive and, therefore, abstained. e Here, Liz Greene made a comment regarding the incentives. The Town has made a decision to have this service, and to expect the employees to solve the budget problem is unfair. The Town should make the necessary cuts in the budget, not employees. e Chief Marchand left the meeting at 8P.M. after this pre= sentation of Police Budget and the final voting from Committee. B. Public Works Department Budget Parks and Playgrounds e Mr. Hechenbleikner made his presentation of this budget to Finance Committee. He cited good flexibility among the Staff of Public Works Department. e Question from Nick Agneta about whether the pool expenses were in the Parks and Playgrounds Budget.( No - Recreation budget.) e Town Manager explained that the cost of operating the Town swimming pool is $29,000 a year operational expense. The pool is, 25 years old now and needs upkeep. Fees do not cover the operating expenses of the pool. - 0 Pe'ter's--feeli-ng-he-re- is to have s°omeone run the pool for the Reading Finance Committee 3/12/90 ® Peter indicated that perhaps a food concession could be initiated at the pool so as to make a profit. o Here, Chairman Burditt asked Town Manager what the latest update was on the softball building. He was told that the Recreation Committee was moving on this subject. a Charlie Catalfamo further questioned seasonal laborers in. Parks and Playgrounds and Peter Hechenbleikner explained. e Donald Allen asked if there would be any way that the Parks and Playgrounds maintenance would could be contracted out and Mr. Hechenbleikner answered there was not. Motion: Liz Greene moved to approve personal services for Parks and Playgrounds of Department of of Public Works Department in the amount of $119,351 and Mr. Agneta seconded this motion. Discussion: Mr. Coco questioned the skilled laborers and seasonal jobs and suggested that perhaps these jobs could join in on another budget. Mr. McIntyre replied that these are year- round assignments and duties extend, with park equipment, benches, skating rink, forestry department duties, etc. Peter Hechenbleikner further explained that this sect is also responsible for Town Build- ings, including Town Hall, Town Common, Town ballfields, etc. This encompasses a lot of area of the Town to maintain. Vote: 8 - 0 - 0 approved. Motion: Liz Greene moved to approve non-personal ex- penses for Parks and Grounds in Department of Public Works budget in the amount of $25,401 and Don Allen seconded. Discussion: Mr. MacDonald questions uniform costs. Amendment: Mr. MacDonald moved to amend motion to $24,401 and Mr. Agneta seconded this amendment. Discussion: Mr. Coco here questions grass seed, chemicals, and turf treatment cost s in a "bare bones" budget. Second Amendment: Mr. Coco moved to amend motion to $14,552 and Mr. Allen seconded this second amendment motion. Discussion: Mr. McIntyre interjecte d comments regarding a Reading Finance Committee 3/12/90 possible disaster in the parks if fertilization is not on-going, what with all the hard work already established. Bill Burditt agreed.. Mr. Coco suggests that these comments are valid but this is all a matter of "balance". Bill Burditt discussed preventative maintenance being necessary in some areas. Vote: 2nd Amend. $14,552 1 - 7 - 0 defeated. Vote: lst Amend. $24,401 6 - 2 - 0 approved. Motion: Liz Greene moved to approve $20,000 Capital Outlay for Parks and Playgrounds in the Department of Public Works budget and Mr. Agneta seconded this motion (funded from sale of real estate). Discussion: Table discussion about recommendation from the Town Manager Mr. MacDonald is opposed to this and suggests it go onto the next budget. Charlie Catalfamo asked about liabilities from scrapes from pool. No liabilities cited. Vote: 6 - 2 - 0 approved. C. Forestry Division s Presentation made by Mr. Hechenbleikner to the Committee. e Mr. MacDonald questioned a splin in payroll and whether or not there is a problem with Fair Labors Act. e Mr. Coco had a question regarding stipend for Tree Warden. Motion: Mr. Coco moved to approve Forestry Division Budget of Department of Public Works for personal services in the amount of $102,749 and Donald Allen seconded this motion. Amendment: Don Allen moved to approve it for $103,749 and Liz Greene seconded this amendment motion. Discussion: Tree Warden position discussed and all its responsibilities. -4- Reading Finance Committee 3/12/90 ® Mr. McIntyre discussed the responsibilities of the Tree Warden indepth. Deals with hearings on the trees to be taken down, available for consultation of property owners, etc. • Mr. MacDonald interjected that the stipend for this position had been set a long time ago and tree warden expects a certain amount of money - warden should expect the same amount. Vote on Amend: $103,749 7 - 1 - 0 approved. Motion: Liz moned to approve the non-personal expenses for Forestry Division of Department of Public Works in the amount of $16,808 and Don Allen seconded this motion. Discussion: Mr. MacDonald questioned tree stumps for $5,000. Mr. McIntyre answered that he would have no way of knowing what it would cost - an estimate.. Amendment: Mr. MacDonald moved to approve $14,808 for non- personal expenses for Forestry Division and Mr. Coco seconded this motion. Second Amend: Mr. Agneta moved to approve $13,808 for non- personal expenses for Forestry Division and Mr. Coco seconded this second amendment to the motion. Discussion: Mr. McIntyre spoke of seminars as being ex- tremely important to keep up on what is going on in the world of pesticides, etc. Mr. 8urditt agreed conferences are important and very valid to learn the current imput. Vote: Second Amendment: 3 - 5 - 0 defeated in the amount of $13,893. Vote:. Amendment: 6 - 2 - 0 approved in the amount of $14,808. D. Equipment Maintenance Motion: Liz Greene moved to approve the personal services Equipment Maintenance budget in the amount of $111,352 and Mr. Allen seconded this.motion. Discussion: Mr. MacDonald commented on no reduction in the Staff. Reading Finance Committee 3/12/90 Vote: 8 - 0 - 0 approved. Motion: Liz Greene moved to approve non-personal expenses in the amount of $117,563 and Mr. Agneta seconded this motion. Discussion: Mr. Agneta asked about central contract for Town Employee uniforms. Department of Public Works goes out to bid on these. Don Allen asked about budget being up from 90. Vote: 8 - 0 - 0 approved. Motion: Liz Greene moved to approve Capital Outlay budget in the amount of $130,000 and Mr. Agneta did second this motion, (funded from sale of real estate). Amendment: Mr. Coco moved to fund at zero, Mr. Agneta seconded this motion. Mr. Coco commented that there is no money for machinery purchases. Liz Greene commented that if there was no street sweeper - then what? Mr. McIntyre answered that no street sweeping would be done in Reading. Mr. MacDonald asked what it would cost to contract street sweeping out: Mr. McIntyre answered it would be $47,000.00. Amendment Vote: 1- 6 - 1 defeated with Mr. MacDonald abstained. Main Motion Vote: $130,000 6 - 2 - 0 approved. E. Snow and Ice Motion: Liz Greene moved to approve personal service and non-personal services for Snow and Ice budget in the amount of $159,005. Amendment: Charlie Catalfamo moved to approve $200,000 and Don Allen seconded this amendment to the motion. I -6- Reading Finance Committee 3/12/90 Amendment Vdte: 1 - 7 - 0 defeated. Amendment:2nd: Mr. Coco moved to approve $150,000 and Don Allen seconded this second amendment motion. Vote: 3 - 5 - 0 defeated Main Motion Vote:4 - 4 - 0 failed Motion for Reconsideration: Don Allen moved for a motion of reconsideration and Nick Agneta seconded this motion. Vote.of Reconsideration: 4 - 4 - 0 Second move to Reconsider: Liz Greene moved to reconsider for a second time and Don Allen seconded this motion. Vote to Reconsider: 8 - 0 - 0 approved. Main Motion: Mr. Coco moved to approve $150,000 in the Snow and Ice budget of D P W and Mr. MacDonald seconded this motion. Vote F. Motion: 7 - 1 - 0 approved. Street Lighting Liz Greene moved to approve $168,164 and Nick Agneta seconded this motion for street lighting. Discussion: Reporter Maria Silvaqqi of READING CHRONICLE commented about bonding burden and how it is shared with other communities. Mr. Hechenbleikner answered it is not shared. Ms Silvaggi then asked about the light board money and what kinds of provisions are in existence to push Municipal Light Board to tap monies. Peter Hechenbleikner answered: investment potential of the cash on hand. Amendment: Mr. Coco moved to approve'$156,190. and Mr. Mac Donald seconded this amendment to the motion. Discussion: Charlie Catalfamo questioned Coco as to the "whv" of his amendment. -7- Reading Finance Committee 3/12/90 Amendment Vote: 2 - 6 - 0 defeated. Main Motion Vote:6 - 2 0 approved. G. Water and Sewer Motion: Liz Greene moved to approve personal services for Water Dist.- and Treatment in the amount of $488,176 and Mr. Agneta seconded this motion. Discussion: Mr. Coco questioned Mr. McIntyre on how many supervisory men are in the Division. Mr. Coco has a difference of opinion of the "foreman" position with that of Mr. McIntyre. Vote: 6 - 1 - 0 approved.(Mr. Catalfamo was not available for this vote). Motion: Liz Greene moved to approve non-personal expenses in the amount of $1,122,568 for water dist. of D P W and Mr. Agneta seconded this motion.' Discussion: Mr. MacDonald questions cost of uniforms when the count of men is down. Mr. Coco has a general comment and observation of his own to make to the Committee at this time. Anytime estimates. are made, they are made to the extreme without factorina in reducing expense. The conclusion reached is that the inflation in this budget ma not be necessary. Mr. Coco has deep concern with the budget as considered "bare bones". Mr. MacDonald has questions on chemicals and the 51% jump in cost. Mr. McIntyre cited treatment processes changing as the reason for this. Mr. Agneta questioned health budgets as being low projections. Amendment: Mr. MacDonald amends to $1,095,186 and Mr. Coco seconded this motion of the amendment. Vote: Amend: 3 - 5 - 0 defeated. Second Amendment:Mr. Coco moved to $1,097,342. . Mr. Allen thenseconded this motion. Discussion: Nate White inferred that the Department of Public Works head is the only person knowledgeably qualified to appropriate an amount. Vote Amendment: 3 - 5 - 0 defeated. -8- Reading Finance Committee 3/12/90 Main Motion Vote: $1,122,568 5 - 3 - 0 approved. Motion: Liz Greene moved to approve Capital Outlay bud.qet and Nick Agneta seconded the motion. Discussion: Don Allen asked about financial feeling of Peter Hechenbleikner here. Amendment: Don Allen moved to approve $202,000 for Capital outlay and Liz Greene motioned second. Vote Amendment: 7 - 1 - 0 approved. H. Sewer Maintenance Motion: Liz Greene moved.to approve the personal services of the Sewer Maintenance budget in the amount of $164,071 and Nick Agneta seconded this motion. Vote: 7 - 0 - 1 approved, with Mr. Coco abstained. Motion: Liz Greene moved to approve MWRA costs in the amount of $1M,, 515, 835, and Mr. Agneta seconded. Vote: 6 - 0 - 2 approved, with Mr. Coco and Mr. Mac- Donald abstained. Motion.: Liz Greene moved to approve non-personal ex- penses in the amount of $329,447 and Nate White seconded this motion. Vote: 7 - 0 - 1 approved, with Mr. Coco abstained. II. A U T H O R I T Y O F S I G N A T U R E A. Chairman on Leave for two Weeks e Chairman allowed Power of Authority to be given to Vice Chairperson, Liz Greene in his absence. Motion: Nate Moved to approve the power of authority be delegated to Liz Greene in Chairman's absence and Don Allen seconded this motion. Vote: 8 - 0 - 0 approved. III. A -D J O U R N M E N T 9 Mr. Coco moved to adjourn at 11:23 P.M. and Mr. MacDonald seconded this motion. Meeting was then adjourned. Respectfully submit!teA to the Committee, J - Sue Finn, Secretary to Finance Committee -9-