Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01-15 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting January 15,2013 For ease of archiving, the order that items appear in these minutes reflects the order in which the items appeared on the agenda for that meeting, and are not necessarily the order in which any item was taken up by the Board. The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Police Community Room, 15 Union Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya, Secretary Richard Schubert, Selectmen John Arena and James Bonazoli, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Community Services Director Jean Delios, Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom, Public Works Business Administrator Jane Kinsella, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Public Works Director Jeff Zager, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Kevin Brown and Charles Gray. Reports and Comments Town Manager's/Assistant Town Manager's Report — The Town Manager noted that the census is being mailed out next week. There will be a Martin Luther King Day celebration on January 21 from 9:00 — 11:00 a.m. at the High School. The Board will be meeting in Executive Session next week with the Finance Committee. The Governor's project map shows the Main Street, Routes 128/93, and West Street projects if funding is available. Discussion/Action Items FY14 Town Manager Budget Overview — The Town Manager noted that the FY14 budget assumes new growth at recent levels; state aid is level funded and uses $1 million in free cash. The major unknowns are state aid and health insurance. The roads are funded at $1.4 million and there is a continued investment in OPEB. Bob LeLacheur noted that the level service budget for the Town is $16.25 million. He noted that there has already been $150,000 of requests cut out of the budget. FY14 Revenues — Bob LeLacheur noted that there is a $73,000 increase in revenues. The proceeds from the meals tax are higher than expected. Motor vehicle excise tax is hard to forecast. Interest earned is approximately $125,000. Cash reserves are at 10% of net available revenue and $4 million above the Finance Committee minimum 5% level. The school budget is $550,000 larger than what the Finance Committee requested. The Finance Committee is requesting a third financial forum when the Governor's state aid and health insurance numbers are in. FY14 Employee/Retiree Benefits — Bob LeLacheur indicated that he assumed an 8% increase in health premiums. Offering the opting out of the health insurance saved the Town approximately $60,000 and the OPEB contribution included in this budget is $453,600. Board of Selectmen Minutes—January 15, 2013 —page 2 FY14 Municipal Budget — Bob LeLacheur reviewed capital. He noted that sidewalks increased to $118,000 due to the Selectmen's vote last week. There is also replacement of DPW vehicles and upgrades to Hunt Park and Washington Park. Also included in the capital plan are Fire Fighter turnout gear and fire hoses, replacement of the Animal Control Officer's vehicle, and DVR technology. There is $60,000 for a regional flyover and $60,000 for network infrastructure. The facilities requests are low. They are in good shape and are in the maintenance mode except for roofs. Richard Schubert requested an update on performance contracting at Town Meeting. Existing debt declines about $500,000 due to refinancing. Upcoming projects include the cemetery garage, library project, and school projects. The municipal government operating budgets increase 3% and the total budget increase is 2%. Staffing is still below five years ago and it is a challenge to manage. DPW and Public Safety have overlap but Town Hall doesn't have much. Town Administration — Bob LeLacheur noted that the copiers have been centralized in the Town Administration budget due to document storage. The legal account is okay. The property and casualty is an estimate and there is an increase in the overtime line for increased hours for minute taking. MIIA rewards were $51,000 this year. The budget includes a 2% step and I% COLA. Richard Schubert asked if there will be a greater need for legal services with a new Town Manager coming on board and the Town Manager indicated he didn't see anything that would cause an increase. Accounting— Bob LeLacheur noted this includes 2% step if eligible and 1% COLA. The Assistant Accountant is reduced by 0.1 FTE and there is an increase in professional development for the new Town Accountant due to the fact that CEU's are required every year. Finance — Bob LeLacheur noted that there is a typo in the Finance budget. For Personnel and Assessment functions the half time clerk has been increased to full time. The demand on Human Resources is almost out of hand—they are very busy and need help. There are less elections this year and he feels that any elections in excess of one should be an accommodated cost. There are also Town Manager Search costs. The Assessors Division is going very well. The Board of Assessors are not here this evening because they felt no need. The agreement expires in the middle of the next budget. There will be a revaluation of both communities next year and Victor Santaniello will speak with the DOR to find out what they need. The software conversion is done and last year inspections are done. The next inspections start in 12 — 15 days. The revaluations should be funded a year in advance so they can start in the spring. Outsourcing the revaluations is approximately $65,000 every three years. Personal Board of Selectmen Minutes—January 15, 2013 —page 3 property should increase every third year to $12,000 for revaluating difficult places like telecommunication equipment and doctor's offices. Richard Schubert asked if the appeals for abatements have improved and Bob LeLacheur noted that the overlay in the past two years was approximately $1 million and is now $500,000. The assessing function is in good shape. Community Services — Bob LeLacheur noted that there is no change in staffing. We will be regionalizing the Veterans District. The Veteran's Agent is doing a great job and pays out $235,000 each year in Veterans benefits. In the wages budget we use the inspectional revolving fund for back up help to cover added inspections. Mosquito control is not appropriate for DPW workers to be doing so that will be outsourced through the Health Division for approximately $6,000. James Bonazoli had concerns that the company we outsource to won't know the community and the Town Manager indicated that the company is doing pesticides and knows the community very well. James Bonazoli noted that there has been an increase in the number of positive results and feels we need to be more proactive. The Town Manager noted that he will have them come in this spring for a presentation. Bob LeLacheur noted that the Conservation Commission wants more hours for the Administrator. James Bonazoli noted that regionalizing has worked well and there have been no issues or complaints from residents. Community Services Director Jean Delios noted that she gets feedback cards that are very good. She also noted that the health regionalization allowed us to add a flu clinic this week. The Housing Production Plan is finished and we saved well over $10,000. Reading is taking the lead in regionalization. Elder Services programming is better and the Senior Center has been painted a new color. The turn around time for permits is much improved and express permits are being issued the same day and others the next day. Richard Schubert asked if any Division is stretched too thin. Jean Delios noted that she is in at 7:00 a.m. to be available to the public and she doesn't know how much longer she can do that. She noted that everyone is multi-tasking. It was noted that the Assistant Building Inspector works on Wednesday so the Building Inspector can issue permits and also do zoning and sign enforcement. Ms. Delios staffs nine boards, committees, and commissions. Richard Schubert noted that can't go on forever and that can cause turnover which changes everything. Ben Tafoya noted that perhaps the new Town Manager can suggest changes. James Bonazoli asked why the Board, Committee, and Commission Secretaries didn't take the minutes instead of paying staff. The Town Manager noted that it is difficult to get the same quality and regulatory Boards, Committees, and Commissions need good minutes. We also like to offer the volunteers some support. Board of Selectmen Minutes—January 15, 2013 —page 4 Richard.Schubert noted that there were folks in-the audience who weren't notified of the Class 2 fingerprinting agenda item on February 12. The Town Manager indicated that we will call Mr. Brown when that item comes on the agenda again. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to adiourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitte Secretary