Late July 08 FinCom Update
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David Escalante
Jul 28, 2008, 9:59:30 PM7/28/08
to needham...@googlegroups.com
Summer is slow time in FinCom-terms, but there are a number of things you should be aware of:
- First, in terms of FinCom news, June Seraydar is resigning from the Finance Committee. This will leave us at 8 members until the Moderator appoints someone in her stead.
- Second, the "scoping" of the ductwork at Newman is nearly complete, and as of last week there were no breaches discovered in the rest of the building similar to those that caused the problems in the Media Center area. There were apparently several places that minor, non-breach repairs might be required, but these can apparently be done at minimal cost. Therefore we believe we are out of the woods in terms of having to shut down the school this year and move the children somewhere else, which had been a possibility on the table. If you want to know more, we will undoubtedly review at the August 13 meeting. In the interim, it will be covered at the parents' meetings this Wednesday, the PPBC, etc.
- Third, we have been informed that there may be a Reserve Fund request at our August 13 meeting. You may recall that we appropriated $300,000 from the FY08 Reserve Fund at the May STM to install a temporary heating system for the East Wing at Newman this year. The bids for this came in higher than $300,000, in the range of $330-340,000. Adding contingency, the number could be closer to $400,000. A request would be for another say $40-100,000 from the FY09 Reserve Fund to cover the difference plus contingency. Personally, I have a number of questions about the funding source of this request, the timing, and the destination for the funds. I am reluctant to pull $100,000 out of the Reserve Fund as early as August. We shall discuss the request on August 13 along with the scheduled presentation of the Town pro forma.
- Fourth, we have been informed that there is some chance that the temporary repairs and temporary heating system at Newman may not be completed by the scheduled start of classes. The School Committee will be meeting tomorrow to discuss this -- Louise sent out the details as to the meeting. I'm going to that meeting. I believe both Steve and Richard are going to the Selectmens' meeting. The discussion at the School Committee will be to determine whether the opening of Newman, part of Newman, or the entire school system needs to be delayed in September. There will likely be financial consequences of such a decision. As you recall, the School Committee voted to pre-purchase almost $500,000 of SPED tuitions to cover costs associated with the repairs to the Newman school during the course of FY09. I am hopeful that any financial consequences from the School Committee's action(s) will not exceed the amount they have already set aside in the School Department budget for Newman contingencies. I will circle up with Steve and Richard and generate a quick report later in the week if the Thursday paper doesn't cover everything on these 2 meetings.
- Fifth, and we can discuss this on August 13 as well, I am concerned about the number of "big" topics on the agenda for the Fall STM, which may be held in October. We may have to cover downtown design, Town Hall (including the report of the Study Committee), new DPW building, and whatever information is returned by the Newman HVAC feasibility study, which in turn may call into question the future use of the school. That list could take Special Town Meeting into several nights, and will likely take FinCom some time to deliberate as well. I have asked Louise to schedule a number of meetings on Mondays in October, both to account for the Jewish high holidays and to give us an extra meeting or two if needed to go over these issues. If we don't need the meetings, we can cancel them.
AS USUAL, PLEASE DO NOT "REPLY ALL" TO THIS MESSAGE. IT IS INFORMATIONAL IN NATURE, AND IS NOT MEANT FOR DISCUSSION.
--
David
- First, in terms of FinCom news, June Seraydar is resigning from the Finance Committee. This will leave us at 8 members until the Moderator appoints someone in her stead.
- Second, the "scoping" of the ductwork at Newman is nearly complete, and as of last week there were no breaches discovered in the rest of the building similar to those that caused the problems in the Media Center area. There were apparently several places that minor, non-breach repairs might be required, but these can apparently be done at minimal cost. Therefore we believe we are out of the woods in terms of having to shut down the school this year and move the children somewhere else, which had been a possibility on the table. If you want to know more, we will undoubtedly review at the August 13 meeting. In the interim, it will be covered at the parents' meetings this Wednesday, the PPBC, etc.
- Third, we have been informed that there may be a Reserve Fund request at our August 13 meeting. You may recall that we appropriated $300,000 from the FY08 Reserve Fund at the May STM to install a temporary heating system for the East Wing at Newman this year. The bids for this came in higher than $300,000, in the range of $330-340,000. Adding contingency, the number could be closer to $400,000. A request would be for another say $40-100,000 from the FY09 Reserve Fund to cover the difference plus contingency. Personally, I have a number of questions about the funding source of this request, the timing, and the destination for the funds. I am reluctant to pull $100,000 out of the Reserve Fund as early as August. We shall discuss the request on August 13 along with the scheduled presentation of the Town pro forma.
- Fourth, we have been informed that there is some chance that the temporary repairs and temporary heating system at Newman may not be completed by the scheduled start of classes. The School Committee will be meeting tomorrow to discuss this -- Louise sent out the details as to the meeting. I'm going to that meeting. I believe both Steve and Richard are going to the Selectmens' meeting. The discussion at the School Committee will be to determine whether the opening of Newman, part of Newman, or the entire school system needs to be delayed in September. There will likely be financial consequences of such a decision. As you recall, the School Committee voted to pre-purchase almost $500,000 of SPED tuitions to cover costs associated with the repairs to the Newman school during the course of FY09. I am hopeful that any financial consequences from the School Committee's action(s) will not exceed the amount they have already set aside in the School Department budget for Newman contingencies. I will circle up with Steve and Richard and generate a quick report later in the week if the Thursday paper doesn't cover everything on these 2 meetings.
- Fifth, and we can discuss this on August 13 as well, I am concerned about the number of "big" topics on the agenda for the Fall STM, which may be held in October. We may have to cover downtown design, Town Hall (including the report of the Study Committee), new DPW building, and whatever information is returned by the Newman HVAC feasibility study, which in turn may call into question the future use of the school. That list could take Special Town Meeting into several nights, and will likely take FinCom some time to deliberate as well. I have asked Louise to schedule a number of meetings on Mondays in October, both to account for the Jewish high holidays and to give us an extra meeting or two if needed to go over these issues. If we don't need the meetings, we can cancel them.
AS USUAL, PLEASE DO NOT "REPLY ALL" TO THIS MESSAGE. IT IS INFORMATIONAL IN NATURE, AND IS NOT MEANT FOR DISCUSSION.
--
David
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