HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-06-17 Board of Selectmen Executive Session Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
Executive Session
June 17, 1997
The meeting was convened at 9:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony,
Secretary Bruce MacDonald, Selectmen Dan Ensminger and Sally Hoyt, Fire Chief Don Wood,
Personnel Administrator Carol Roberts, Town Manager Peter Hechenbieikner.
Labor Negotiations
The Town Manager noted that the purpose of this session is to discuss the Assistant Fire Chief
position in particular as it relates to labor negotiations. Chief Wood has had discussions with the
Bargaining Unit Executive Board about why they want it in the Union. Their response was that
the Union wants to control wages, hours and working conditions of the position. This is exactly
why the Chief sees this as a problem being a-bargaining unit position. Any position of Fire
Fighter, Lieutenant, Captain or Deputy Chief would need to be in the Union and it would be a
Civil Service position. The Union's position with the position is that they do not want the
individual at a fire.
The Chief intends to use this individual as a Safety Officer at a fire scene when the Chief is
present. The purpose of the Safety Officer is to oversee the scene to make sure that it is safe.
The Chiefs initial thought is that this should be a Monday through Friday position in the office but
may want to change the schedule based on experience. Perhaps a four day week position or a
Sunday through Thursday position would be appropriate. He needs flexibility in managing this
position and if it is a Union position, that flexibility would not be present. If the position is Civil
Service, it has to be subject to a test and this is only available when a test is regularly scheduled -
the timing could be one to one and one-half years. The position needs to be a senior position
because it needs to be someone with clout. Having the Captains fill in this position, a staff gap
has resulted in two major accomplishments - the Lakeview Avenue apartments are updating their
fire alarm system and the Registry of Motor Vehicles is also updating its fire alarm system. This
is the kind of reason why the position is important.
Following discussion, on motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to support
the Assistant Fire Chief concept as a non-Union, non-Civil Service position. On a roll call vote,
all five members voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried.
Chairman Hines noted that the recommendation for salary will have to be based on good solid
information and should be as low as possible.
Approval of Minutes
- On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board of Selectmen approved the
minutes of their Executive Session meeting of April 8, 1997 (as amended) on a roll call vote, with
all five members voting in the affirmative.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-Executive Session -June 17, 1997 - pageet.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen approved the minutes of
their Executive Session meeting of April 29, 1997 (as amended) on a roll call vote, with all five
members voting in the affirmative.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen approved the minutes of their
Executive Session meeting of May 6, 1997 (as amended) on a roll call vote, with Hines, Anthony,
MacDonald and Ensminger voting in the affirmative, and Hoyt abstaining.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn
their Executive Session at 10:15 p.m. on a roll call vote, with all five members voting in the
affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
Y �
Aetary