HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-02-18 Finance Committee MinutesC-
Finance Committee Meeting
February 18, 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 Gerry.-MacDonald,-Nathan White,Richard
McDonald, Lawrence Penta, Paul Kurker, James Francis, and Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner.
School Building Committee:
School Building.Committee representative Rus. Graham presented. the results-of the
Coolidge Middle School renovation study. The Coolidge Middle School was built for. 400
students and now enrolls 459 students. The projections show enrollment will continue to
rise. The planned renovations would bring the enrollment capacity for middle school up to
1,200 students- The. Department. of Education would reimburse 66% of the cost.
School Committee:
The School Committee is. still reviewing.-the-Elementary.- and.Middle. School over crowding
problems. They will make their recommendations to the Finance Committee on March 6,
1998, at 7:00 in the Superintendent's Conference Room.
Dr. Harntunian:
Dr. Harutunian delivered information on Charter School Law and. Regulations. Dr.
Harutunian reviewed the School Budget.
Police. Station Building_Cornmittee:
The Police Station Building Committee has hired an Architect and a Construction
Management firm, The cost_estimate is $4.4 million for a 21,270 sq. fl. building-with 1,800
sq. ft. of future expansion space. They expect occupancy by the end of 1999. There is an
additional $100,000. included in the cost estimate due to the ledge discovered at the site.
This design is in collaboration with the Police Department and the neighborhood.
Review of Warrant:
Article 3
A motion to recommend approval of Article 3 was made by.- Carol Grimm and seconded by
Richard McDonald. The Finance Committee voted to recommend Article 3 by a vote of 7-
0-0.
Article 4
A_motion.to. recommend. approval of Article. 4 was made. by Carol Grimm. and seconded by
James Francis. The Finance Committee voted to recommend Article 4 by. a vote of 7-0-0.
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Article 5
A motion to recommend approval of Article- 5 was made by Carol Grimm and seconded by
Gerry MacDonald. The Finance Committee voted to recommend the new Police Station
by. a vote of 8-0-0.
Article 7
A motion to recommend approval of Article 7 was made by Carol Grimm and seconded by
Richard McDonald. The Finance Committee voted to recommend Article 7 by a vote of 7-
0-0.
Article 8
A motion-to-recommend approval of Article- 8 was made by Carol Grimm and seconded by
James Francis. The Finance Committee voted to recommend Article 8 by a vote of 6-0-1.
Reserve Fund Transfer:
On a motion by Richard McDonald seconded by Nathan White., the- Finance.-Committee
voted to approve the reserve fund transfer of $45,000.00 to account 01-321 Snow & Ice
Control,.by. a. vote of.7-0-0.
The next FinCom meeting is February 25, 1998.
On motion by Richard McDonald seconded by,. Larry Penta the Finance Committee voted
to adjourn at 10:35 p.m. by a vote of 7-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
R ord' Secretary..