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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-12-03 Finance Committee MinutesTO 'H CLERi'i READUIG, MASS. Finance Committee Meeting .1999 tit -U 3' 3 December 3,1998 The meeting ' convened in the Superintendent's Conference Room, Reading Memorial High School,,62 Oakland Road, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman James Keigley, Vice Chaimnan'Carol Grimm, FinCom~Members, Richard MacDonald, Neil Cohen, Catherine Martin, Mary Grimmer, James Francis, Paul-Yurker and Charles Robinson, School Building Committee Chairman Russ Graham, School Building Committee Member Jeff Strueble, Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Harry Harutunian, Architect Sid Bowen, School Committee Members Tom Stol;'<]man, Robin D'Antona and Tim Twomey, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, and a number of interested- parties. Oii `motion `by Grimm seconded by MacDonald, the Finance Committee voted to approve the T<PMG bill in the amount of $12,668.00 by a vote of 6-0-0. Town Manager Peter Hechenbleilmer reviewed the Capital Improvements Program. He noted that the CIP is out of balance for several years in the short term but is balanced in the long term. He feels that if the school building projects are needed, then the financing plan represents a reasonable. approach to doing these projects based on a number of assumptions. He warned the Finance Committee that if the assumptions do not come to pass, then we need to be prepared for deep reductions in operating capital expenses, a prop 2 %2 override and/or reinstitution of fees. Russ' Graham, Chairman of the School Building Committee, presented the two projects. He introduced Jeff Strueble who reviewed the enrollment need. 239 students is the projected increase in enrollment, and space for 259 students is needed to address current lack of space particularly in the art and music area. ,'Sid Bowen, the Architect, presented the plans. With regard to Killam, he noted that the minimum renovation of Killam is $2 million and is included in the Capital Improvements Plan. The full renovation will be $6 million but would be subject as SBAB reimbursement. The site for the new school is 11.2 acres and the building is designed for 425 children to be located in 15 classrooms plus 2 kindergartens. Busing can be eliminated for virtually all elementary school students;. The project has the,capability of adding 5 additional classrooms without increasing the core facilities, and.will increase the capacity of the school to 525 students if needed. Based on the-proposed building..program, all schools will meet State standards except for the Library at Joshua Easton and the gym at Birch Meadow. This is acceptable to the SBAB. Dr. Haruturiiannoted that the option is to purchase a number of additional portable classrooms at $112,000. ` He reviewed the cost of operating 5 schools versus 4 schools, and the 5 school operating costs are about $125,000 more than the 4 school operating costs. t Finance Committee Meeting - December 3, 1998 - Page 2 Carol Grimm asked about the projections for the year 2000. This assumes the addition of 3 to 4 portables or temporary space. Dr. Harutunian noted that this would mean 9 to 12 additional portables for the year 2006 above what we now have. Tom Stohlman felt that the number previously presented was 7 to 11 portables by 2006. Carol Grimm noted that it appears because of increasing enrollment that a new school will be needed. If we do not do it now, we will have to do it later. Dr. Harutunian noted that the projection of 9 to 12 additional portable buildings does not include space for art, music and special education. Jim Francis asked how old the portables were. They range in age from 3 to 25 years. The $112,000 per portable includes all costs of construction installation including water/sewer and utility connections. Dr. Haratunian was asked if we build a new school, would we still be using the portables. Dr. Harutunian noted that we would still be using one or two portables for science prep and supplies. Mary Grimmer asked about traffic studies. She noted that if we do portables, there will be traffic impacts. Dr. Harutunian noted that the only place to put any portables is at Joshua Eaton and Killam because of space constraints. Catherine Martin asked if the projections were based on half-day kindergarten and it was noted that they would be. Dr. Harutunian noted that if the State went to a mandate for all-day kindergarten, that they would have to pay the cost. Richard MacDonald asked about SBAB reimbursement and the schedule. The Town Manager noted that the Capital Improvements Program was based on a five year SBAB reimbursement which was used throughout the Capital Improvements Program. Mary Grimmer asked about sidewalks on Franklin Street. The Town Manager noted that while there is a petition to construct sidewalks on Franklin, many Franklin Street residents do not want sidewalks. Jim Keigley asked if we build a 5th school building how it can cost us only $112,000 more than operating 4 school buildings. The Superintendent noted that it would be done through redistricting and eliminating busing. Jim Francis asked what would happen if next year's population projection shows a further increase in births and, therefore, potential enrollments. Dr. Harutunian noted that we have the capability of adding 5 classrooms onto the new school if needed. Paul Kurker asked if the middle school enrollment was sufficient. It was noted that it was. Kurker was concerned about the speed with which we are moving on these projects, and wanted a little bit of time to further consider them. On motion by Grimm seconded by Cohen, the Finance Committee voted to proceed with voting on these articles at this time. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-2-0, with Keigley and Kurker opposed. Finance Committee Meeting- - December 3, 1998 - Page 3 On motion by Grimm seconded by Cohen, the Finance Committee voted to recommend Article 3 as proposed by a vote of 7-2-0, with Keigley and Kurker opposed. On motion by Martin seconded by Francis, the Finance Committee voted to recommend Article 4 as proposed in the amount of $8,910,000. The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0-1, with Kurker abstaining. On motion by Francis seconded by McDonald, the Finance Committee voted to recommend the subject matter of Article 5 in the amount of $6,585,000 by a vote of 8-0-1, with Kurker abstaining. On motion by Grimmer seconded by Martin, the Finance Committee voted to adjourn their meeting of December 3, 1998 at 9:45 p.m. by a vote of 9-0-0. R tfully s mi d, .4 L Secretary