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Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting
<br /> January 28, 1992
<br /> The meeting convened at 7:40 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting
<br /> Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were
<br /> Chairman Eugene Nigro, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen George
<br /> Hines, Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner, and the following
<br /> list of interested parties: Lorraine Salter, Gaynell Knowlton,
<br /> Patricia Donnelly, Jane Fiore, Amy Wettergreen, Richard Radville,
<br /> Lois Bond, Nathan White, Steve Thomases, Anne Mark, Barbara
<br /> Philbrick, David Nugent, Bill Murphy, Cathy Baranofsky, Nancy
<br /> Shipes, Richard Howard, William Goodrich, Thomas Stohlman,
<br /> Jonathan Barnes, Jonathan Edwards, Jim Keigley, Bill Burditt, Tim
<br /> Twomey, Fred Conover, Steven Sullivan, George Shannon, John Fal-
<br /> lon, Bob Munnelly, Lesley Wexler, Michael Marnik, and Elia Mar-
<br /> nik. Mr. Nigro indicated that Mr. Ensminger would not be present
<br /> because of a prior business commitment.
<br /> There were no minutes to approve at this meeting.
<br /> Liaison Reports
<br /> George Hines indicated that he had attended the Budget Committee
<br /> Meeting. Discussions took place relative to revenue projections,
<br /> which resulted in an increase in State Aid, and a decrease in the
<br /> use of free cash. This change does not free up substantial new
<br /> money. Regarding spending, the discussion was level funding of
<br /> the Schools and conversation about School Department modest cuts
<br /> plus cuts on the municipal side. There is not yet agreement on
<br /> this issue. George Hines indicated that there would be a serious
<br /> reduction of municipal services plus a trash fee or getting out
<br /> of the trash business. Hines also indicated that the Ice Rink
<br /> Report will be ready in early February. They have agreed for-
<br /> mally to designate the Nike Base on Haverhill Street as the
<br /> primary area, and the Board needs to give the Town Manager direc-
<br /> tion with regard to a traffic study. Concerns about conducting a
<br /> traffic study by staff include instructional motion from Town
<br /> Meeting, and a potential conflict.
<br /> Eugene Nigro expressed concerns about a shortfall in revenues be-
<br /> cause of a lower collection on excise tax and interest rates.
<br /> Sally Hoyt indicated that she had attended a memorial service for
<br /> Barbara Hewitt at the Congregational Church. She has received
<br /> calls from citizens and employees regarding budget reorganiza-
<br /> tion. She appreciates the calls and is listening.
<br /> Public Comment
<br /> Gail Wood indicated that she would agree with the concept of in-
<br /> stituting a bimonthly water and sewer fee, but only when it be-
<br /> comes cost effective. Jim Nugent objected to the dismantling of
<br /> the Department of Human Services. They will have issues of lead
<br /> paint and tanning booths to deal with this spring. He also felt
<br /> that the Health Education Coordinator should be kept on the Town
<br /> side of government. They have brought in
<br /> . $75,000.00 in grants.
<br /> The Health and Human Services Director has also brought in Haz-
<br /> ardous Waste Collection Program, Curbside Recycling, and had sub-
<br /> mitted a budget with no layoffs. Richard Radville indicated that
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