1996-02-06 Board of Selectmen Minutes

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I 1 Board of Selectmen Meeting February 6, 1996 The meeting convened at 7:15 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Sally Hoyt, Secretary Camille Anthony, Selectman Dan Ensminger, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Paul Feely Jr., Jim Keigley, Nancy Eaton. George Hines joined the meeting at approximately 7:30 p.m. Discussion/Action Items Approval of Purchase and Sales Agreement, 25 Haven Street - The Board discussed the proposed Purchase and Sales Agreement between the Town of Reading through its Municipal Light Department and through the Board of Selectmen, and P.J.C. Realty Company, Inc. the sale of property at 25 Haven Street. The Purchase and Sales Agreement to be signed will be in substantially the form as presented on January 31, 1996. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony the Board voted to approve the signing of the Purchase and Sales Agreement by a vote of 3-0-0. Budget and Capital Improvement - The Town Manager reviewed the tentative budget calendar with the Board of Selectmen. This evening is the beginning of that process. The Town Manager reviewed the FY97 budget revenues, FY96 projected budget revenues, and the FY97 projected revenues. FY97 projected revenues are up considerably because of an increase of$354,000 in reimbursement from the State for capital purposes as part of the elementary school building construction projects. The Town Manager then reviewed the recommended FY97 budget. General government budget is recommended by the Town Manager to increase 4.0%. The School budget request is a 9.04% increase. That is a 17.4% increase in capital, and employee benefits is a 1.11% increase. The total general budget is recommended to increase 6.96%. The Town Manager reviewed the new program requests and their prioritization. The Board of Selectmen will do its own prioritization. The Town Manager reviewed the FY97 budget summary, and details of several of the department budgets including General Services, Public Works - Cemetery, Employee Benefits, and Public Works - Utilities. The Town Manager also reviewed the Public Safety budgets. Questions raised related to the Quinn Bill funding increases, reductions in overtime because of increase in the number of Superior Officers. Hines noted that he would like to support the staff requests, but he is disinclined to support it this year. We need to take a harder look at the school traffic needs. Sally Hoyt noted that the Town has always placed a priority on public safety. The Reading Police Department has taken deep cuts, and we have been very slow in restoring the Public Safety personnel. The Board asked for further information on the costs of benefits for a position. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to adjourn the Board of Selectmen's meeting of February 6, 1996, at 10:55 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, 5 Secre ary 1