HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-02-25 Finance Committee MinutesQL-
Finance Committee Meeting
February 25, 1998
The Finance Committee met in the Conference Room at Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts at 7:30 p.m. Presents were Chair Jim Keigley, Vice Chair Carol
Grimm, Finance Committee members Catherine Martin, Gerry MacDonald, Nathan White,
Richard McDonald, Lawrence Penta, Paul Kurker, James Francis, and Town Manager
Peter Hechenbleikner.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Police Chief Edward Marchand reviewed the Police Department's FY 1999 Proposed
Budget.
Staffing:
The Police Department is requesting an additional clerk, two police officers, and a school
traffic officer. They would like to promote one patrolman to sergeant.
Purchase-of-Services:
The computer terminals need to be updated and replaced periodically.
The First Aid supplies in the vehicles need to be replenished.
The state and federal grants for Community Policing could be ending and the Police
Department needs replacement funding.
Supplies:
The Police Department is requesting an additional cruiser for $26,600.00.
Animal Control:
This is a part-time position. The officer is responsible for wildlife and the lease law.
Dispatchers:
There are 7.5 fall time dispatchers, with this few people a lot of overtime is required.
Every dispatcher must have 911 training.
On a motion by Catherine Martin seconded by James Francis the Finance Committee
voted to approve the minutes of February 11, 1998, by a vote of 8-0-1.
On a motion by Gerry MacDonald seconded by Dick McDonald the Finance Committee
voted to approve the minutes of February 18, 1998, by a vote of 8-0-1.
On a motion by Gerry MacDonald seconded by Dick McDonald the Finance Committee
voted to approve the minutes of February 21, 1998, by a vote of 7-0-2.
Chair Jim Keigley requested a copy of any corrected minutes.
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
Jonathan Edwards reviewed the Community Development FY 1999 Proposed Budget.
Conservation Division:
The Division is staffed by a full-time Conservation Administrator and a part-time
Recording Secretary.
Zoning Board of Appeals:
The Board's only specific budget is for a Recording Secretary.
Historical Commission:
The Commission is in the process of doing some archival work.
Inspections Division:
The Division is requesting a back-up inspector to cover during vacations.
The Travel Reimbursement has not had an increase in the mileage allowance for nine
years.
General Division:
( l The Division is requesting an increase in clerical staff by 0.5 FTE.
Vice Chair Carol Grimm requested that no reports be presented at the Special Town
Meeting on March 9, 1998.
Chair Jim Keigley requested each FinCom representative submit their budget highlights to
him.
The next FinCom meeting is March 4, 1998, to review The Public Works Budget.
The Finance Committee will meet the School Committee March 6, 1998, at 7:00 in the
Superintendent's Conference Room.
On motion by Gerry MacDonald seconded by Catherine Martin the Finance Committee
voted to adjourn at 9:10 p.m. by a vote of 9-0-0.
Res ectfuUy submitted,
Recording Secretary