1999-02-02 Board of Selectmen Minutes

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Board of Selectmen Meeting February 2, 1999 The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Camille Anthony and George Hines (Matthew Nestor arrived late), Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean and the following list of interested parties: Bob Keating, Maria Silvaggi, Lois Bond, Fire Chief Don Wood, Ted McIntire. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of Approval of Minutes and strategy with respect to litigation to come back into Open Session at approximately 7:30 p.m. On a roll call vote, all three members voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried. Open Session of the meeting began at 7:35 p.m. Discussion/Action Items Budet and CIP — The Town Manager noted that there was a need to focus on the new program requests. He noted that the Governor has submitted his budget with very little offset. George Hines noted that these were not new program requests, they are old items. Hines noted that the Town should add all the items, and then make cuts as we go like the School Department does. The Town Manager noted that the School Department has a different perspective. They identify all of their needs and then cut. He prepares a base budget and then adds to it. Sally Hoyt commended the Town Manager for level funding. The Town Manager reviewed the following top nine Selectmen priorities: Community Development Additional Clerical, Library Additional Materials, Police Additional Clerk, Police State Accreditation, Police First Aid Supplies, Dispatch P.C. Access for Com., Fire Protective Clothing, Parks and Forestry Expanded Turf, and Public Safety Baton and Fire Ann Training, Bob Keating, Director of Parks and Forestry, noted that long-term seasonal staff was very difficult to get. An increase in the starting wage is needed to attract and keep long-term staff. A working foreman is also needed. Maria Silvaggi, Board of Library Trustees, noted that trust funds are being used to bring their material up to the minimum. The Library is also requesting funding for a three month overlap in the hiring of a Division Head in the Circulation Division. Lois Bond indicated that she was asking for an increase in clerical hours, and she also noted that she was concerned that there is no staff person at the Senior Center.