HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-01-30 Board of Selectmen Executive Session Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
Executive Session
January 30;2007
The meeting convened at 7:09 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading,
Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Ben Tafoya, Secretary Stephen Goldy, Selectmen
Camille Anthony and Richard Schubert, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner (arrived at 7:30
p.m.), .Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Paula Schena, Health
Administrator Jane Fiore,Board of Health Chairman Barbara Meade and Fire Chief Greg Burns.
Security Issues
Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director Greg Burns noted that there has been a significant
change in services since 9/11 and Y2K. He also noted that all Town departments have improved in
radio communications, staff training and created redundancies three layers deep. He noted that the
radios have the ability to communicate with all departments, neighboring communities, mutual aid
partners and State agencies. We also have the reverse 911 telephone system and cable alert override.
Emergency sirens are tested monthly.
Chief Burns noted that emergency shelters are located at Coolidge Middle School, RMHS Field
House and the Senior Center. The emergency operations center is at the Reading Police Department.
Health Administrator Jane Fiore noted that since 9/11, Public Health has become a first responder.
She reviewed the training that the Health Division has received, and noted that there is a biowatch in
Reading and she gets daily readings. She also noted that she has medical immunization supplies on
hand for 10% of the population. Death Certificates have been set up for pandemic flu.
Mrs. Fiore noted that a pandemic lasts one to two years. Outbreaks will occur simultaneously
throughout the U.S. and there will be up to 40%absenteeism in all sectors at all levels. The potential
flu impact in Reading would be 40% of the population—30% will become ill and 10% will have to
care for the ill. People at high risk are infants and people in the working world ages 18-55. She has
70 nurses trained to respond to. a pandemic, and Coolidge Middle School would be the base for
operations. She noted that temporary morgues have been established.
The Town Manager noted that if there was a vacancy on the Board of Selectmen, then an election
would have to be held. Since we would not want to bring people together for an election, then the
Board might want to consider a Charter change to allow the Selectmen to appoint. During a
pandemic, the Board of Selectmen would be the public voice and would continue operations as
normal as possible. The Selectmen would act as greeters at immunization clinics. The Town
departments and businesses need to establish a continuity of three deep to keep services functioning.
A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to adiourn the Executive Session of January 30,
2007 at 10.40 p.m. was approved on a roll call vote with all four members votinIZ in the
affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
//retary