HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-08-21 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
August 21,2013
Financial Fomm
Open Session
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Sr. Center Great Room
Fincom Members Present Staff Members Present
David Greenfield Bob LeLacheur,Town Manager
Paula Petry
Paul McNeice Board of Selectmen
Mark Dockser Dan Ensminger
Jeanne Borawski Ben Tafoya
Valarie Perry Marsie West
Jeffrey Perkins John Arena
Karen Herrick Arrived at 7:40 p.m
Mark Dockser
School Committee
John Doherty, Superintendent
Hal Croft, School Committee Mary DeLai,Assistant Superintendent
Chuck Robinson,School Committee
Chris Caruso,School Committee
)theta
Police Chief Jim Cormier,Dianne Kennedy,Vicki
Griffin,Mary Daly,John Daly,Angela Binds,Heidi
Bonnbeau,Thomas J. Ryan,Kevin Comes,Thomas
Loughlin,Elizabeth Ward,Maria Caruso,Mary
Connery,Erin Gallen,Joshua Kempner,Lee
Bianchetto,Rebecca Liberman.
I. Call to Order
Chairperson Berman called the Finance Committee to order at 7:34 p.m.
Chairperson Arena called the Selectmen to order at 7:34 p.m.
Mr.Berman welcomed guests and reviewed the agenda for the evening.
U. Recommended Procedure
A. Continued Business
Woburn Street Proiec[
Mr. Greenfield stated that he was an abutter to the property and would not participate in any
votes on the subject.
Board of Selectmen Minutes—August 21 2013 —paee 3
Mr.Berman turned the meeting over to the Superintendent of Schools.
Dr. Doherty stated that he is recommending not to move forward with the Woburn Street Project.
Ms.Herrick arrived at 7:40 p.m.
Dr. Doherty stated that full day kindergarten for all is something that the district wants to pursue
and it is in the best interest of students and student learning. He continued reviewing the
timeline to date. He mentioned that the elementary space needs and ft>U day kindergarten
discussion began in January of 2011. An Elementary Space Study was approved at the fall 2011
Town Meeting which was completed and presented to the School Committee in June of 2012. In
the interim the Reading School Committee voted to support the implementation of free full day
kindergarten for all.
Based on information provided by the Locker report it was determined the best option would be
to purchase a building and renovate the building to house the RISE Preschool and kindergarten
classes. In April of 2013 the Town reached an agreement with the St.Agnes Church and signed
a Letter of Intent to purchase the lower building. The School Department hired an Architect to
begin a Feasibility Study. Over the course of the spring and summer the Superintendent met
with the Architect,community members and Town Officials on the Woburn Street Project.
As a result of the meetings it has been determined that because of traffic,parking and other
logistic matters as well as cost it has been determined that this may not be the best option to
address the elementary space concerns.
Ms.DeLai reviewed the cost of fully funded full day kindergarten for all.
Dr.Doherty reviewed the cost estimate and because of changes that needed to be made to the
inside with the addition of a third floor the cost came in higher than anticipated. The cost
estimate does not include the proposed parker parking lot and the natural gas line installation.
Superintendent Doherty reviewed the other options to address the space issue. He pointed out
that this is not an enrollment issue. Our enrollment is staying fairly level but because of the
Special Education programs we have in the district our classroom space is at a premium. The
Superintendent would like to establish a working group to investigate other options.
Dr.Doherty stated that he has had a conversation with St Agnes regarding this decision.
Mr. Berman said that the School Department must be very disappointed. He also asked how the
- working group would be set up.
Dr. Doherty said it will consist of community members,town officials and educators.
Mr.Arena asked when the decision was made. Dr. Doherty said last week after the meeting with
town officials and the Architect when the final costs were discussed. Mr.Arena asked further
about the cost.
Ms.DeLai indicated that we are responsible to pay rent from July to October as part of the Letter
of Intent She also said that St Agnes is renting space at the Parker Middle School for their
Religious Education classes dueto the renovation of their Parish Center therefore some costs are
offset.
Board of Selectmen Minutes—August 21 2013—page 4
. . Mr.Berman asked what has been spent to date. Ms. DeLai indicated that approximately$79,000
had been spent. Town Manager LeLacheur reminded the group that$150,000 had been '
allocated.
Mr.Tafova moved seconded by Ms West to cancel the September 16o'Special Town_
Meeting. The motion carried 4-0.
Ms.Borawski asked if the district was looking at construction as an option. The Superintendent
said that we will explore all options. She then asked for clarification of the Superintendent's
option. Dr. Doherty explained the process.
Mr. Caruso added that we have been using the Superintendent's Option to balance elementary
class size for 4 years.
Mr.Arena asked if full day kindergarten is implemented would parents have a different option if
they did not want to enroll their child in the fun day program.
Dr.Doherty said that we would no longer have a half day program and parents would have to
enroll children in private programs or have thew child enter school in first grade.
Ms.Ann Coneeney, 13 Temple Street,thanked the Superintendent for all the work on this project
and appreciates that the concerns of the citizens were heard and is doing what is in the best
interest of the children. '
Rebecca Liberman, 50 Pratt Street,asked if the elementary schools were full. The
Superintendent responded the schools have no additional classroom space.
Mr.Arena moved seconded by Mr.Tafova to adiourn. The motion carried 4-0.
The Board of Selectman adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
5ta,y
Attachment:handout from Thomas J. Ryan
Estimated cost of free full-day kindergarten for the average-assessed Reading home of
$400,000.
Assuming: $10,000,000 exclusion(to be bonded for ten years or more)for the purchase and
renovation of the St.Agues School building on Woburn Street; a proposed override of the
tax levy of$885,000.
Estimated cost per home is$177 per year for the bonding.
Estimated cost per home for the override is$144 per year.(The$144 increases at a
minimum of 2 V,%a every year,permanently.)
Cost of bond @$177 per year: 10 years$1770
12 years$2124
15 years$2655
Cost of override @$144 per year. 10 years $1604(increases by 2%%annually)
12 years $1975
15'years $2051
Total combined cost of bonding and the override per year.
10 years$3374 Plus library @$104/year—$4414
12 years$4099
15 years$4706
The library funding has been voted already.
Cooling ahead,the town MUST replace aged water pipes at a cost of$25,000,000 plus
$8,000,000 for Killam repairs.
Sidelight: average assessed value of a$400,000 home in 10 years under prop 2'h will be
$7649,in 12 years,$8060,and$8654 in 15 years.
Estimates of costs are based on figures provided by the School Department in its recent
presentation at Parker Middle School.
Thomas J.Ryan,87 Dana Rd.,Reading,MA 01867 781944-2544 tobuslll@verizou.net