Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-12-14 Select Board MinutesaTown of Reading ' Meeting Minutes Board - committee - Commission - Council: Select Board Date: 2021-12-14 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING, MA.V 2022 JAN 12 PH 5: 21 Location: Select Board Meeting Room Session: Open Session Version: Final Chair Karen Herrick, Secretary Mark Dockser, Chris Haley; Vice Chair Anne Landry joined at 7:25pm (remotely); Carlo Bacci joined at 8:35pm (remotely). Members - Not Present: Others Present: FINCOM members present: Chair Ed Ross, Vice Chair Jeanne Borawski (remote), Marianne McLaughlin -Downing (remote), Jacqueline McCarthy (remote), Joseph McDonagh (remote), Mark Zarrow (remote). Others present via zoom: Bob LeLacheur, Sharon Angstrom, Jean Delios, Amy Lannon, Joe Huggins, Ade Solarin, David Clark, Jane Kinsella, Matt Kraunelis, Greg Burns, Michelle Filleul, Julie Mercier, Kevin Bohmiller, Sean Donahue, Chris Cole, Christine Amendola, Kevin Cabuzzi, Laura Gemme, Bruce Mackenzie, Nancy Docktor, Annika Scanlon Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Bob LeLacheur Topics of Discussion: Documents Used: FY23 Library Budget- Level 1 PSD FY23 SB Budget Presentation FY23SBpresentation FY23_Shared Costs FY23 Budget Summary RCAC, Sustainability Director, RevB Select Board wiled to order at 7:00pm: FINCOM called to order at 7:05pm Opioid Settlements Dockser moved that the Board authorize the Town Manager to enroll the Town of Reading in two settlements resolving all opioid litigation brought by states and local political subdivisions against McKesson, Cardinal Health, AmensourceBergen, and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and its parent company Johnson & Johnson, and to execute and submit the Subdivision Settlement Participation Forms by January 2, 2022 to the Attorney General's office, seconded by Haley. LeLacheur summarized the work done by himself and Town Counsel. The Board has two options -to join a Gass and litigate nationally, or to litigate independently. The Attorney General, Town Counsel and the Town Manager suggest joining in class action lawsuits. Herrick asked about the total expected settlement and that is unknown. Dockser agreed that joining the class makes sense. Herrick asked for a vote and the Board voted 3-0 to authorize the Town Manager to apply to loin the class action lawsuits on behalf of the Town. Page I I FY23 Budgets Public Library: Library Director Amy Lannon and Assistant Director Michelle Filleul Amy Lannon noted that the Board of Library Trustees voted to approve this budget at their meeting on November 19- with a total +3.4%increase requested. Lannon reviewed the divisions and noted budget increases, with an +6.4% increase to the Equity & Social Justice position. She described the DESJ hiring process to date, which found good candidates but failed to hire anyone as some required much higher compensation. FINCOM member Downing asked about the +3.75% steps+ COLA and additional +4.65% increase for the DESJ position. Lannon explained that the position was currently vacant and this would allow advertising to list a higher starting wage. Downing asked if there were comparable peer wages explored, and from what she has learned many of those positions have more responsibility. Lannon explained that yes comparable data was investigated and this position was expected to interact with other appointed boards and committee, the Town Manager, Superintended of Schools and elected boards. Select Board member Landry joins the meeting (remotely). FINCOM member Borewski said she would like to see the salary comps from other communities, and asked 'who manages who? with regard to the DESJ Advisory Board. Lannon said that the relationship would be the same as with the Reading Coalition and Erica McNamara, and also that the DESJ position would appoint volunteer advisors, but otherwise report directly to the Library Director. Select Board member Haley asked why people applied for the position If they required far higher wages, and Bob LeLacheur replied that this has been happening in other positions and that there was nothing adversarial about this person's request. Lannon noted that expenses are up+10.4%while materials were down -0.5%. This was driven by operational changes in response to Covid-19. She noted the materials budget meets the required 13% level set by the stale, although the Trustees prefer a range of 13.5%. to 14%. She noted the hours of service to the public at 64 hours is above the required 59 hours, and that circulation was at about 65% of'nonnal levels' which was very high in the NOBLE area. She noted that with the significant interest in continued curbside service during Covid- 19, the library is working on exterior pick up lockers that will be funded through state aid and donated funds. Select Board member Haley asked about the value of the database searches on the ROI slide, and Lannon replied that these included paid subscriptions to services that include academic journals and services (such as the New York Times). She concluded by reminding folks that the Reading library card was accepted at all other certified MA public libraries. Select Board members Dockser and Herrick thanked the Library as an important institution and place for community conversations. Public Services department: Assistant Town Manager Jean Dallas, Community Development Director Julie Mercier and Community Services Director Kevin Bohmiller. Jean Delios reviewed the scope of services offered by the department as well as their support for and interaction with many volunteer boards and committees. She reviewed the Org Chart, noting Administration and then the two halves of Community Services and Community Development. The 21 FTEs had some small increases in requests for additional hours in Human/Elder Services and Recreation, as well as a part time ZBA clerk. She noted the challenges of staffing the many night meetings. She reviewed the extensive work done in Economic Development with a Rapid Recovery Plan, several state grants and significant outside funding for Reading businesses during the pandemic. She noted the activity in the building division. Select Board member Docker asked if they should review building permit fees, and Delios responded that that had been planned before the pandemic and could be done at any time. Planning has been involved with volunteer -led efforts including the PARC group; the formation of a new private downtown organization to focus on resilience and perseverance; and the application to become a Green Community. She noted the important need to update the Housing Production Plan, and the work of the two historic boards. In Community Services, the Birch Meadow improvements project was led by Recreation. Elder Human Services had seen an increase in activities this fall, with the outdoor tent being a big hit. Veteran's had carefully led two in-person community events, and the need for Veteran's benefits might be increasing. In summary, she requested a 19-houdweek support position for the ZBA, outsourced professional services for the Housing Production Plan and Economic Development Action Plan, and additional hours for Elder Human Services and Recreation staff. Select Board member Dockser said that the Council on Aging and CONSCOM may have additional budget requests not yet specified. He noted a possible future need for outreach workers as outlined in a 2017 Needs Assessment to be discussed be the RECALC ad hoc committee. Select Board member Landry thanked the department for their work during the pandemic. Select Board member Herrick asked about the GIS position, Page 1 2 and was reminded that was in Administrative Services last week. Dockser noted the need for senior housing and the response was that the Housing Production Plan included that area. Public Works department: DPW Director Jane Kinsella, Assistant DPW Director Chris Cole. Jane Kinsella gave a department overview including their new status as a First Responder, including how the department was able to operate during the pandemic. She reviewed the department of 60 FTEs with currently about 10 vacancies. She noted the competitive job market in certain areas, such as Water/Sewer and other entry level positions. Select Board member Herrick asked about the Black Earth program, and the response included the current status and $8,000 of savings. She reviewed the rest of the DPW divisions, including a +4.4% increase in wages and +2.9% increase in expenses. FINCOM member Ross asked if folks could help by shoveling especially near the schools since staffing (outsourced contractors) were scare this season. Kinsella provided update details, including expected delays in response depending on the nature of the storm and staffing available. She has been in touch with Superintendent Milaschewski to advise him of this situation, which is common across most cities and towns. Select Board member Landry asked if Elder/Human Services staff coordinate the needs of residents with wheelchairs and walkers during the winter, and the response is yes that happens, although the availability of students to assist during the pandemic has been reduced. FINCOM member Zarrow asked how much savings there would be because of vacant positions, and the response was that was difficult to estimate but that any extra would go back to Free Cash next summer. Select Board member Herrick asked if the grant to pay for Bridge capital work would go back to Free Cash if unused, and the response was the grant funds received only covered the actual costs incurred. Kinsella review Water, Sewer and Storm Water budgets. The Board thanked Kinsella for her work. Dockser especially noted the See Click Fix tool that everyone should be using. FINCOM asked if vacancies in the Water department were risky and the response was yes for a while as some of our best trained younger employees have been taken by peer communities. Shared Costs—Town Manager Bob LeLacheur Bob LeLacheur reviewed a high-level financial summary from the fall Financial Forums. He noted that Benefits (+5.1%) Capital (-32%), Debt (+26%), FINCOM Reserves (flat) and Vocational Education (+6.6%) were considered Shared Costs (+3,4% total) and would be described further. Benefits are driven by Health Insurance, expected at +1.7% only because the current budget has some surplus. He thanked the Public Employees Committee, noting that Health Insurance expenses (including increasing staff sizes) were +2.86% annualized for the past decade, a rate significantly below what had been projected and has been seen in some sectors. One year ago, the Retirement Board voted an increase to speed up fully funding that obligation which translated into a 6.5% increase annually. The Town also plans to get back to funding $0.5 million annually in OPEB. Taken together, capital plus debt are -0.7%. LeLacheur gave an extensive review of this area as there has been recent Board member interest. He noted that the Chair and Vice Chair of FINCOM recently met for a few hours with leadership from DPW and Facilities to discuss the capital process. LeLacheur noted that significant changes to the Capital Plan since November 2021 Town Meeting included moving out two school roof replacement projects, which allowed funding for the first phase of the Birch meadow recreation improvements. He also noted a small project for RISE due to safety concerns. He concluded by listing some concems and community conversations needed on Killam elementary school, the RMHS feldhouse/bleachers as a safety issue, a plan for the Parker MS turf, and to prioritize future projects including Haven Street improvements, Community Sustainability work, future Birch Meadow recreation phases, and a plan for a Senior/Community Center. He finished the section with a reminder of the impact of a new vocational school in Wakefield, which would add an extra $250,000 to $300,00 annually if approved by the voters of the 12 communities in January 2022, beginning in two or three years after FY23. Budget Summary —Town Manager Bob LeLacheur Bob LeLacheur reminded the Board of FINCOM's +3.85% guidance for Town operating budgets. He noted a need to cut over $335,000 from the budgets presented to the Board over the past two meetings. He laid out next steps in the budget process including: 1) determining other budget additions (if any); 2) examining/priontizing new positions proposed; examining options to change service delivery; prioritizing Public Health; scaling into new items, determining service cuts (if needed), and investing in change that reduces future spending. He noted that he would ask the Board for feedback with the goal of finalizing their input at the Select Board's January 4- meeting. He laid out a budget schedule including the new Town Manager, and suggested the Board hold a Water/Sewer rates hearing in March 2022 which would be helpful for the April Town Meeting discussion. Water rates (+10%) and Sewer rates (flat) combined look to be about +5%. Page 1 3 FINCOM member Ross thanked the Town Manager for the presentations, noted how detailed the capital discussion with DPW and Facilities had been, and noted his work over the years to put the Town into very strong financial position for his successor. At 10:06pm a motion to adjourn FINCOM from Downing seconded by McCarthy was approved as follows: BorawskFyes; Downing -yes; McCarthy -yes; McDonagh -yes; Zarrow-yes; Ross -yes. Select Board Communication Policv Select Board member Haley reminded the Board of changes made in August to remove smalls from the packet, and suggested that the Board vote to restore them into the packet, possibly agenda -related ones only. Select Board member Dockser stated that he thought the changes have worked well, and was against changing them back. Select Board member Landry agreed, saying that too many judgement calls would be needed to include some but not all related smalls in a packet. She appreciated the reduction in politics regarding the emails. Select Board member Bacci said that a particular individual will not stop regardless of what they do, which he stated several months ago. He does not want to burden staff with more related work and agreed with Landry's comments about judgment needed and the past political weaponization of email. Dockser said maybe the Board should restore Office Hours now that emails were on point and not weaponized. Select Board member Herrick said the community is still communicating with the Board. Select Board member Haley said this change has placed more burden on Town Clerk Laura Gemme. Town Clerk Laura Gemme added that while public records requests are time consuming, she only has a few related to the Select Board email policy. Mark Dockser moved and Chris Haley seconded that theSelect Board ado nn at 1035 The Board vot d to adjourn by a roll call vote Landry- ; Baci - es, Haley- es, Dockse ves• Herrick yes. Page 14