Below is a summarized version of the Finance Committee meeting, organized by timestamps and speakers, focusing on key points raised during the discussion in Reading, Massachusetts. This summary condenses the discussion into major themes, speaker contributions, and decisions, avoiding excessive detail while retaining the essence of the conversation. Timestamps correspond to the video linked at the bottom.
🗓️ Finance Committee Meeting Summary
Date: June 25, 2025
Duration: ~2 hours 17 minutes
Format: Hybrid (in-person Town Hall Berger Room + Zoom)
Chair: Joe Carnahan
Members Present: John Sullivan, Ed Ross, Emily Sisson, Endri Kume, Mark Zarrow, Marianne Downing, Joe Carnahan
Staff Present: Sharon Angstrom (Town Accountant), Chief Dave Clark (Police), Chief Rick Nelson (Fire), Chris Cole (DPW), others as noted
Main Topics: Reserve fund transfers, inter-board communication, capital project oversight, financial policy review, and planning for future meetings and forums
🔹Call to Order & Attendance
🕒 4:44–5:23
- Meeting called to order by Chair Joe Carnahan.
- Roll call conducted for both in-person and Zoom attendees.
- All committee members present other than Joseph McDonagh.
🔹Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)
🕒 5:23–6:14
- No members of the public were present on Zoom or in person.
- No public comments were made.
🔹Liaison Reports
🕒 6:14–17:28
- School Building Committee (Joe):
- Progressing into schematic design.
- Preparing for test wells and abutter engagement.
- Targeting early occupancy (February) for new school building.
- Recreation & Grants (Emily):
- Birch Meadow Phase 2 progressing smoothly.
- Summer camp fully staffed.
- Sturges walkway expansion approved.
- CPDC (Marianne):
- MBTA Communities submission approved.
- Boardwalk proposal finalized.
- Audit Committee (Mark):
- RMLD audit meetings postponed due to leadership changes.
- Rescheduled for July 23.
- CPA Study Committee (Endri):
- Presentations completed across CPA pillars.
- Drafting report for Select Board.
- Potential 1% CPA surcharge to be voted on in April 2026.
- Select Board (Karen Herrick):
- July 15: Burbank Ice Arena lease discussion.
- Water/sewer/stormwater rates: No increases; sewer rate decreased by 1%.
- Trash contract out to bid; responses expected by end of July.
- State aid: 2.2% increase expected; surtax revenue exceeding expectations.
- MBTA and school funding discussions ongoing.
🔹Finance Committee Reserve Fund Transfer Request
🕒 19:29–48:44
Background
Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom presented a request for $120,000 in reserve fund transfers to cover unanticipated expenses at the end of FY25.
Breakdown of Requests
- $31,000 – Leaf Sweeper Replacement:
- One unit destroyed by fire due to dry leaves igniting on exhaust.
- Insurance covered only $12,225 of the $42,290 cost.
- $20,000 – Snow & Ice Overtime Incentives:
- Missed in April Town Meeting request.
- Covers incentive payments for snow event participation.
- $31,000 – Police Arbitration Settlement:
- Grievance over detail assignment process.
- Arbitrator ruled in favor of patrol union; damages awarded.
- $13,000 – Fiber Optic Repair:
- Explosion in manhole damaged communication lines.
- Not covered by insurance (under $20,000 deductible).
- $10,000 – Ambulance Billing:
- Billing costs trending high due to increased service volume.
- Chief Nelson requested buffer to avoid deficit.
- $15,000 – Health Insurance Premiums:
- Medex premiums increased nearly 20%.
- Opt-out payments due at fiscal year-end.
Discussion Highlights
- Police Arbitration:
- Chief Clark explained the 1992 arbitration precedent was misinterpreted for decades.
- Patrol union awarded damages despite not requesting them.
- Fiber Optics:
- Explosion caused by arc from high-voltage line.
- Redundant systems prevented major service disruption.
- Ambulance Billing:
- Revenue goes to general fund; billing costs are appropriated separately.
- No revolving fund exists for ambulance operations.
- Health Insurance:
- Budgeted increase was 13.6%; actual Medex increase was higher.
- Enrollment fluctuations and timing of increases complicate forecasting.
Board Action
- Motion to approve the full $120,000 request passed unanimously via roll call vote.
🔹Discussion: Inter-Board Communication & Capital Oversight
🕒 48:52–1:24:00
Background
Chair Joe Carnahan raised concerns about improving communication between the Finance Committee, Select Board, and School Committee, especially regarding capital projects and financial planning.
Key Concerns
- Lack of visibility into:
- Project bid results.
- Reallocation of unused capital funds.
- Status of previously approved capital projects.
- Examples cited:
- Parker roof project had unexpected surplus.
- Fieldhouse floor bid came in under budget, but full amount was borrowed.
- Birch Meadow Phase 2 still unspent years after approval.
Suggestions
- Quarterly capital project updates from the Town Accountant.
- More structured reporting on free cash and reserve usage.
- Better tracking of capital project timelines and borrowing status.
- Improved documentation of fund reallocations and contingency usage.
Board Response
- Sharon Angstrom agreed to provide quarterly capital updates.
- Noted that borrowing is often done with contingencies to avoid delays.
- Emphasized that unused funds are reallocated only to similar-scope projects with appropriate borrowing terms.
🔹Finance Policy Review & DLS Engagement
🕒 1:24:00–1:49:13
Background
Joe Carnahan attended a Massachusetts Department of Local Services (DLS) seminar on financial policy development. He proposed a formal review of Reading’s financial policies, potentially with DLS assistance.
Current Policies Discussed
- 5% capital spending policy
- Reserve policy
- OPEB funding policy
- Debt policy
Discussion Points
- Policies last updated in 2018.
- S&P bond rating agency uses these policies in credit evaluations.
- DLS offers free policy review services (waitlist applies).
- Some members expressed concern about overcomplicating or weakening policies that currently support the town’s AAA bond rating.
Board Action
- Consensus to bring proposal to Select Board for joint review and potential DLS engagement.
🔹Future Meetings & Financial Forum Planning
🕒 1:49:13–1:56:44
- Next Finance Committee meeting tentatively scheduled for August 13, 2025.
- Financial Forum tentatively scheduled for September 17, 2025.
- Topics to include:
- Free cash usage
- Override planning
- Capital project updates
🔹Approval of Minutes
🕒 1:56:44–2:05:57
- March 19, 2025 Minutes: Approved unanimously.
- April 2, 2025 Minutes: Approved with two abstentions due to absence.
🔹Adjournment
🕒 2:05:57
- Motion to adjourn passed unanimously.
✅ Key Outcomes
- $120,000 Reserve Fund Transfer approved to cover end-of-year expenses.
- Quarterly Capital Updates to be provided by the Town Accountant.
- Policy Review Initiative supported; proposal to be brought to Select Board.
- Next Meeting Scheduled for August 13, 2025.
- Financial Forum Planning underway for September 17, 2025.