HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-04-08 Finance Committee MinutesQ,
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R E A D I-G, 13 A S S Finance Committee Meeting
1q,18 JUN Z A 10: April 8, 1998
The_ Einance. Committee met in the Selectmen's Meeting. Room at Town Hall, 16 Lowell
Street, Reading, Massachusetts at 7:30 p.m. Present were Chair Jim Keigley, Vice Chair
Carol Grimm, Finance Committee members Catherine Martin, Gerry MacDonald, Larry
Penta, Nathan White, Richard McDonald, Paul Kurker, and James Francis.
On motion by Carol Grimm seconded by Richard McDonald the Finance Committee voted
to approve the minutes of March 23, 1998, by a vote of 8-0-1.
Article - Swimming Pool
Bill Jennings and Nelson Burbank were present to answer any questions regarding the
proposed swimming pool. There is a traffic study currently inprocess. The wetlands on
Birchmeadow Drive will not be affected. An Advisory Committee consisting of 3 Town
people and 3 YMCA people will be established.
Due to pending legal issues regarding the Bonding. the Finance Committee decided to
postpone their vote on Article 15 until April 27, 1998, at the 7:00 meeting in the High
School Auditorium.
Library:
Library Director Diedre Hanley requested-$8,269 be moved from line F2 - Library
nonpersonal expenses to line F1 Library personal services. This money would then be
used to fund the raises for the Library Division Heads and Librarians. The funding for the
increase in nonprint items would not be done this year. The Library Board said this was
not an easy. decision but, they thought it was necessary for the morale of the library staff.
Jim Keigley stated that this is the library's decision.
On motion by Gerry MacDonald seconded by Paul Kurker the Finance Committee voted
to change the line items as recommended by Peter Hechenbleikner. This would move
$8,269 from line F2 - Library nonpersonal expenses to line F1 - Library personal-services
and move $5,000 from line D11 - Property and Casualty Insurance to line F1.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-1-0.
Jim Keigley introduced Harvey Pete Dahl, the newest member of the School Committee.
On-motion by Jim Keigley seconded by Larry Penta the Finance Committee voted to
recommend to Town Meeting to review free cash after it is certified in August 1998, and
at that time freeze the use of it until it reaches 3 1/2%.
The motion was approved by a vote of 5-3-1.
Nathan White will be retiring from the Finance Committee in June 1998.
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Richard McDonald requested the Finance Committee make guidelines before the budget
comes out next year.
James Francis requested the Finance Committee look at the revenues this summer.
Fire Department:
The Fire Department will need $150,000 to get them through the. year. Chief Wood stated
the overtime time was due to the numerous injuries they had this year and the two
vacancies. They can't return to work until they are 100%, there isn't any "light duty".
There is also an additional $7,150 due to three days of brush fires.
On motion by Carol Grimm seconded by James Francis the Finance Committee voted to
increase line G5 - Fire-Personal Services by $150,000 and to increase line G6 - Fire - Non-
Personal Services. by $7,500.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-1-0.
On motion by Carol Grimm seconded by Catherine Martin the Finance Committee voted
on Article 7 to adjust the Fiscal 1998 Budget as outlined on page 2 of Peter
Hechenbleikner's memo by $30.0,425 and-to- adjust-line Nl.- Sewer, Personal- Services
$14,500 and line N4 - Capital Outlay $80,000.
The. motionwas approved_by a vote-of 8-1-0.
On motion by Carol Grimm seconded by Gerry MacDonald the Finance Committee voted
to recommend_Article. 7 to the 1-998- Annual Town Meeting.
The motion was approved by a vote of 9-0-0.
On -a- motion by Gerry MacDonald-seconded-by- Dick. McDonald-the-Finance- Committee
voted to adjourn at 9:50 by a vote of 9-0-0.
:Respectf,&y. s ubmitted,
cor ' g Secretary