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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-04 Select Board Packet Town of Reading Meeting Posting with Agenda This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting. Page | 1 2018-07-16 LAG Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Select Board Date: 2024-12-04 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Agenda: Purpose: General Business Meeting Called By: Caitlin Nocella on behalf of the Chair Notices and agendas are to be posted 48 hours in advance of the meetings excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Legal Holidays. Please keep in mind the Town Clerk’s hours of operation and make necessary arrangements to be sure your posting is made in an adequate amount of time. A listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting must be on the agenda. All Meeting Postings must be submitted in typed format; handwritten notices will not be accepted. Topics of Discussion: Zoom Option: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85301565810 Meeting ID: 853 0156 5810 Dial by your location • +1 646 518 9805 US (New York) • +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kpA6WvfXj PAGE # 7:00 Department Budget Presentations from: • Fire Department • Police Department • Health Department • Public Works • Public Services/ Administrative Services Fire Department FY26 Budget Presentation Reading Fire Department Fire Suppression Emergency Medical Services Fire Prevention Emergency Management Department Functions Number of Fire Department Personnel Department Organization Our Goal •To continually evolve and improve the level and quality of services we provide, and to increase public safety through prevention, public education, professional development, and planning. Response Data Total Responses –2024 (Jan – November) •4050 Responses •Non—EMS Responses –1,846 •EMS Responses –2,204 •Fires –60 •Structure Fires -21 FY 26 Budget •Salary Increases inline with COLA increases and CBA with Union •Requesting an increase in Expense Budget •$17,762 FY 25 Expenses •After fixed costs •Operating Budget is $34,000 •Included •Gear for new FF •$9,000 each FY 26 Expense Request •Request Amount •$17,762 (8.4%) •Overall Budget Increase •2.72 % Ambulance Revenue $865,762 $820,212 $737,534 $801,966 $984,900 $950,322 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Grants Recent Grants Awarded FY24 Firefighter Safety and Equipment $14,100 FY24 SAFE & Senior SAFE $5700 / $2400 FY24 EMPG $6500 FY23 AFG $84,560 *(10% match - $8456) Grant Applications Submitted FY25 Firefighter Safety and Equipment FY25 SAFE & Senior SAFE Employee Development Programs •Mentor Program •Firefighter Skills •Technical development •Use of Department Resources •Preceptor Program •New Paramedic Development •Driven by our Senior Paramedics •Desire to protect our High-Quality EMS Program Operational Improvements Phase 1: Purchase and properly equip vehicle Achieved November 2022 Phase 2: Promote 4 Additional Lieutenants Achieved July 2023 Command Car Report •Started Program – June 26, 2023 •Moved Shift Commander off Engine and into Tahoe •Depending on Staffing, may not be used Mon – Thurs •2024 •104 Shifts possible •79 of those not filled (76%) •All Day shifts – these are our busiest times Operational Improvements (continued) Phase 1: Purchase and properly equip vehicle Achieved November 2022 Phase 2: Promote 4 Additional Lieutenants Achieved July 2023 Phase 3: Stop Counting Fire Prevention Officer as Shift Strength: Achieved with new Firefighter’s Contract July 2027 Operational Improvements (future) Phase 1: Purchase and properly equip vehicle Achieved November 2022 Phase 2: Promote 4 Additional Lieutenants Achieved July 2023 Phase 3: Stop Counting Fire Prevention Officer as Shift Strength: Achieved with new Firefighter’s Contract July 2027 Phase 4: Hire 4 Firefighters (long term goal) First year cost $300,000 Engine at Main Street Fire Station would always be at 3. What is ROSC? “Return of Spontaneous Circulation” National Average 8-28% 2024 Data 17 Cardiac Arrests 9 cases of ROSC 53% of patients WHY? Response Times Out of 51 Firefighters 44 Firefighter Paramedics Ambulance Fire Apparatus Licensed as Class V Ambulances Police Department FY26 Budget Staffing Wages ($ 6,566,400 +2.93%) Expenses $382,500 + 17.51% Department Statistics Stats for 2024 are year-to-date compared to the previous year’s stats. 21234 20068 19302 18000 18500 19000 19500 20000 20500 21000 21500 CALLS FOR SERVICE 2022 2023 2024YTD Dispatch FY26 Budget Expenses ($ 41,000 + 5.13%) Reading Coalition FY26 Budget Reading Coalition FY-26 PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT BUDGET TOWN OF READING ADE SOLARIN KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Flu Clinics Disease Surveillance Establishment Permitting and Inspections Animal and Tobacco control Federal, State, and Local Health Regulations Enforcement Track and Respond to Public health Complaints Collaboration with Federal, State and Local agencies MAJOR PUBLIC HEALTH EVENTS Monday, March 25th from 8a-4p Parked in the Town Hall parking lot MAJOR PUBLIC HEALTH EVENTS HEALTH DEPARTMENT STRUCTURE Health Director FT Nurse Health Inspector Independent Contractors Weights & Measures Inspector Tobacco Control Animal Control/Inspector Pest Control FT Admin Staff 4 FTE HEALTH BUDGET SUMMARY FY25 REVISED BUDGET FY26 LEVEL 1 PROPOSED BUDGET PERCENT CHANGE HEALTH 457,000 486,800 6.5% HEALTH SALARIES BUDGET FY25 REVISED BUDGET FY26 LEVEL 1 PROPOSED BUDGET PERCENT CHANGE HEALTH 349,500 377,300 8.0% HEALTH EXPENSE BUDGET FY25 REVISED BUDGET FY26 LEVEL 1 PROPOSED BUDGET PERCENT CHANGE HEALTH 107,500 109,500 1.9% SUMMARY SALARY EXPENSE SALARY + EXPENSE % CHANGE COLA + SALARY ADJUSTMENTS 27,800 8% MOSQUITO CONTROL 2,000 1.9% TOTAL 27,800 2,000 29,800 6.5% QUESTIONS Department of Public Works FY-26 Budget DIRECTOR ENGINEERING ASSISTANT TOWN ENGINEER CIVIL ENGINEER (2)* FIELD TECHNICIAN II ASSISTANT DIRECTOR WATER DISTRIBUTION MANAGING FOREPERSON WATER QUALITY & SAFETY ADMINISTRATOR WORKING FOREPERSON (3) SENIOR OPERATOR (5) JUNIOR OPERATOR (2) LABORER (3) HIGHWAY & EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE MASTER MECHANIC MECHANIC CLASS I (2) MECHANIC CLASS II HIGHWAY MANAGING FOREPERSON WORKING FOREPERSON (2) SENIOR OPERATOR (4) JUNIOR OPERATOR (2) LABORER (2) FORESTRY MANAGING FOREPERSON WORKING FOREPERSON* TREE CLIMBER I (2) PARKS/ CEMETERY MANAGING FOREPERSON WORKING FOREPERSON SENIOR OPERATOR (2) JUNIOR OPERATOR (4) LABORER (2) ADMIN SPECIALIST ADMIN ASSISTANT (3) DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS (60) * OPEN POSITIONS PARKS & CEMETERY TOWN ENGINEER SUPERVISOR SUPERVISOR BUSINESS SERVICES SUPERVISOR TOWN FOREST CEMETERY BOARD BOARDS/ COMMITTEES STORMWATER STORMWATER JUNIOR OPERATOR LABORER SEASONALS (3)* SEWER 60 FTE Seasonals=3 FORESTRY GF - Level 1 Summary Staffing •No changes Expenses •Administration: Increase in Prof/Develop training: $7.5K to $9K •Engineering: Increase in Traffic Control Repairs: $25K to $30K •Engineering: Increase in Police Details: $12K to $17K •Highway: Increase in Police Details: $16K to $21K •Highway: Increase in Equip. Maintenance: $235K to $238K •Highway: Increase in Fuel: $230K to $235K •Stormwater: Level-funded •Parks/Cemetery: Level-funded •Forestry: Increase in Police Details: $7K to $12K •Forestry: Increase in Stump/Brush Disposal: $12K to $14K •Forestry: Increase in Shade Trees: $16K to $17K General Fund Salaries by Division FY25 FY26 $ Change % Change Administration $ 467,900 $ 482,500 $ 14,600 3.1% Engineering $ 504,700 $ 548,100 $ 43,400 8.6% Highway $ 1,031,500 $ 1,086,800 $ 55,300 5.4% Highway/Stormwater $ 174,300 $ 175,200 $ 900 0.5% Parks/Cemetery $ 659,000 $ 683,800 $ 24,800 3.8% Forestry $ 382,300 $ 415,250 $ 32,950 8.6% Total Salaries $ 3,219,700 $ 3,391,650 $ 171,950 5.3% Expenses by Division FY25 FY26 $ Change % Change Administration $ 18,500 $ 20,000 $ 1,500 8.1% Engineering $ 54,000 $ 64,000 $ 10,000 18.5% Highway (including fuel)$ 814,800 $ 827,895 $ 13,095 1.6% Highway/Stormwater $ 3,000 $ 3,000 $ - 0.0% Parks/Cemetery $ 53,100 $ 53,100 $ - 0.0% Forestry $ 72,000 $ 80,000 $ 8,000 11.1% Total Expenses $ 1,015,400 $ 1,047,995 $ 32,595 3.2% Total Budget Increase (including fuel)$ 4,235,100 $ 4,439,645 $ 204,545 4.8% Total Budget Increase Without Fuel:3.5% Accommodated Costs •Snow/Ice Control: Level Funded ($675K) –Rock salt: $57.00 / ton (no change in rate) –CaCl2: $1.45 / gallon (no change in rate) •Street Lighting: Level Funded ($135K) •Fuel: Increased from $230K to $235K •Rubbish and Recycling: 25% increase Rubbish & Recycling •REPUBLIC SERVICES - RUBBISH & RECYCLING CONTRACT –10-year contract: July 1, 2016 - July 30, 2026 –FY25 Contract: $1,216,826 –FY26 Contract: $1,253,330 (3% increase) •5 leaf pickups •3 annual shredding events •2 rigid plastics events •1 curbside metal pickup •RE-WORLD (FORMERLY COVANTA) - DISPOSAL CONTRACT –5-year contract: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2025 –FY25 tipping fee: $101.30 / ton –Currently in discussions with Re-World about contract extension •Trash and Recycling carts to be rolled out in April –Update to Select Board on Jan. 21 –(2) Household Hazardous Waste Day collection events –Drop -off recycling for Styrofoam and electronics –Recycling events: Rigid Plastics, Paper Shredding, Textile Recycling (Simple Recycling) –Mattress Recycling (ToughStuff Recycling) •$55 / unit curbside pickup •$33 / unit resident drop-off at DPW garage Black Earth Composting –500 Residential Subscribers –Approximately 2.07 tons per week (based on 80% set out rate/week x 11 lbs per household) –Approximate savings of $10,903 / year (using current tipping fee of $101.30) –Current Plan •Weekly pick-up: $69.99/6 months or $12.99/month •Bi-weekly pick-up: $52.99 / 6 months or $9.99 / month –At 1,000 subscribers •Weekly pick-up: $59.99 / 6 months or $11.99 / month •Bi-weekly pick-up: $44.99 / 6 months or $8.99 / month Home Composting Bins – available at DPW office ($21 each after instant rebate) Other Recycling Programs Enterprise Funds Summary Water Staffing •No changes Water Expenses •Increase in Fuel: $20K to $25K •Increase in Police Details: $30K to $40K •Increase in Asphalt for Trench Paving: $15K to $20K •Increase in Copper pipe: $15K to $25K •Increase in Water Meters: $50K to $60K •Increase for MWRA Water Assessment: 3% Sewer Staffing •No changes Sewer Expenses •Increase in Sewer Station Repairs: $20K to $30K •Increase in Contractual Services for Pump Stations: $20K to $30K •Increase in Sewer Software Support: $13.5K to $18K •Increase in General Supplies: $20K to $30K •Increase in Sewer Station Supplies: $8K to $13K •Increase in Sewer Chemicals: $7K to $12K •Increase in Fuel: $10K to $12K •Increase for MWRA Sewer Assessment: 3% Enterprise Funds Summary Stormwater Staffing •No changes Stormwater Expenses •Increase in Drainage Maintenance: $20K to $23K •Increase in Equipment/Supplies: $2K to $4K Enterprise Funds Summary Enterprise Funds Water FY25 FY26 $ Change % Change Salaries $ 913,000 $ 945,900 $ 32,900 3.6% Expenses (includes MWRA Assessment)$ 3,808,629 $ 3,960,850 $ 152,221 4.0% Total Water $ 4,721,629 $ 4,906,750 $ 185,121 3.9% Sewer FY25 FY26 $ Change % Change Salaries $ 496,800 $ 520,100 $ 23,300 4.7% Expenses (includes MWRA Assessment)$ 6,407,991 $ 6,649,471 $ 241,480 3.8% Total Sewer $ 6,904,791 $ 7,169,571 $ 264,780 3.8% Stormwater FY25 FY26 $ Change % Change Salaries $ 125,300 $ 131,300 $ 6,000 4.8% Expenses $ 137,750 $ 143,000 $ 5,250 3.8% Total Stormwater $ 263,050 $ 274,300 $ 11,250 4.3% Road Resurfacing Funding (PCI Projections and Associated Funding Levels) Chapter 90: annual expected base allotment ($600K) Local Funding: FY25 ($845K); FY26 ($535K); ($600K - $650K) projected in subsequent years FY25 special capital funding to pave remainder of Lowell Street ($600K) Local funding - minimum of $725K (+$300K) must be funded locally annually in capital program in order to maintain PCI. See-Click-Fix Requests 2,013 TOTAL REQUESTS Are There Any Questions? ADMINISTRATIVE & PUBLIC SERVICES BUDGET PRESENTATION FISCAL YEAR 2026 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FY26 HUMAN RESOURCES, TOWN CLERK, OPERATION, & TOWN MANAGER HUMAN RESOURCES Responsibilities include: Hiring, Personnel Management, Training, Worker’s Compensation, and Benefits Administration to All Town Departments, School Department, Light Department, and Retirees. FY26 Budget Impact: Expenses: $39,000 (0% increase) Salaries: $227,700 (3.88% increase) We are requesting a level-funded expense budget for the next year and COLA + steps for salary increases. No staffing changes. Highlights:Working with IT for update to both employee self-service and applicant tracking. Continue offering employee trainings and wellness events. Town Clerk and Elections Town Clerk’s Office Laura Gemme Town Clerk Rebecca Kyle Assistant Town Clerk Madeleine Baptiste Administrative Assistant Gabriella Piantedosi Administrative Assistant Town Clerk FY 2025 Projects Elections More Elections Improving Elections Process Still working to make all Vital Records electronic going back to 1600s Our Mission To be a reliable provider of information and quality services to the community and its residents and to work cooperatively with all departments, boards and committees while complying with Federal, State and Local laws as well as the Town Home Rule Charter. We are dedicated to the preservation of all the Town of Reading's past, present and future documents and vital records for the benefit of all residents and future generations. We respect the right to vote and will assure that all elections are conducted in a fair and open manner providing equal access to all citizens. Birth Records, Marriage Records, Death Records, Burial Permits, Business Certificates, Dog Licensing, Dog Violations, Records Management, Records Requests, Meeting Postings, Open Meeting Law, Ethics, Conflict of Interest, Town Meeting, Research, Public Notice, Reporting, Campaign Finance, Data Entry, Board and Committees, Permits, Filing and Recording, Town Seal, Oaths, Everything Elections, Voter Registration, Certify Signatures, Census, Street List Budget Town Clerk – Budget 3.81% Salary Increase No Change from FY 2026 except Salaries Elections – Budget 11.11% Expense Decrease One Planned Election in FY 2026 Cost of each Election is raising due to added requirements Probable Special Elections - Unknown Maybe FY 2025 – Maybe FY 2026 Upcoming Costs – Reimbursable Election Equipment •Fully staffed department (Director of Operations, EA - Operations managing procurement, communications, risk management, constituent services, shared staff, and postage/equipment maintenance OPERATIONS •Level Services Budget •Notable budget items: MIIA has flagged a 6% premium increase for FY26 Executed more than 30 procurements across Town Departments Managed 20+ insurance claims spanning road defects, water & sewer issues, property damage and vehicle accidents. Worked across more than 10 Town Departments for communication, procurement, and insurance needs (Library, Finance, DPW, Facilities, School Department, Recreation, Planning, Elder Services, and Police) 30 20 10 OPERATIONS FY26 EXPENSES FY25 FY26 Change Salaries $624,500 $616,900 -1.22% Expenses PUBLIC SERVICES FY26 COMMUNITY SERVICES & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY SERVICES ELDER & HUMAN SERVICES: Chris Kowaleski EHS Administrator Linda Antinoro Clerk Anna Assini Senior Center Coordinator Kerry Valle Senior Case Worker Olivia Bartolomei Public Health Nurse (shared) Joseph Beninati Transportation Coordinator Janet Dubow P/T Volunteer Coordinator Total FY24 Interactions at the center – 37,396 19,579 Program/Event Registrations 3,346 Rides (not including Medical rides with ATS) 413 Large Bus Trips Registrations COMMUNITY SERVICES Recreation Division: Jim Sullivan Recreation Administrator Edward Shambo Recreation Coordinator •Total Program Registrations: 7,360 •6824 Resident / 536 Non-Resident •6,454 Unique Individual Program Registrants • 4,231 Ages 0-10 • 1,169 Ages 11-20 • 249 Ages 21-40 • 498 Ages 41-60 • 307 Ages 61+ •Sturges Park Renovated •Barrows and Hunt Field Renovated FY24 Division Highlights COMMUNITY SERVICES VETERANS SERVICES: Will Valliere Veterans Services Officer •Served over 300 Veterans •Secured over $100,000 in Federal Benefits for Veterans and their surviving spouses •Flagpoles honoring branches of the military were donated by the Good Samaritan Masonic Lodge in Reading, installed by the DPW, and dedicated in a ceremony on Veterans Day. •Scuttlebutt program remains popular FY24 Division Highlights Community Services Collaborations Reading Center for Active Living Project : Team is engaged developing the vision statement, schematic design, and operational plan that will serve our 60+ population as well as other members of the community. Night-time programming: Recreation and EHS have tried out evening speakers and plan to work together to increase these offerings for the 60+ community in January of 2025 based on feedback. Intergenerational Programming: Average of 50 participants in each event! Community Services Collaborations Changes in Staff Hours, $16,100 Rec Program Coordinator, $30,200 EHS Program Coordinator, $22,000 Volunteer Coordinator, $35,000 Re -Allocations from Nursing Position that will help off-set ARPA funded positions in FY26 ($82,200) Changes in Staff Hours Rec Program Coordinator EHS Program Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Remaining Funds needed to retain positions: $21,100 ($103,300 – $82,200) PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT, CONSERVATION, BUILDING & PERMITTING Town of Reading Community Development Department TO LISTEN... TO SUSTAIN ... TO GUIDE... TO STRIVE... STAFF & RESPONSIBILITIES Andrew MacNichol, Community Development Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Kevin McCarthy, Senior Planner (Econ Dev) Olivia Knightly, Senior Planner (Housing & Sus.) Amanda Beatrice, Senior Admin Assistant PLANNING & CONSERVATION BUILDING & PERMITTING Bret Bennett, Building Commissioner Kim Saunders, Permits Coordinator Karen Johnson, Admin Assistant Part-time Building Inspectors (5) Credit: Reading Historical Commission SCOPE OF WORK DEVELOPMENT REVIEW & PERMITTING LONG TERM VISIONING & PLANNING BOARD & COMMITTEESGRANT APPLICATIONS & MANAGEMENT Application Reviews and Noticing; Wetland and Resource Area Impact Review; Licensing, Permitting, Inspections, Enforcement; Code Review and Life Safety; Tracking and History; Online Systems Improvements ASPECT ONE: DEVELOPMENT REVIEW Presentations; Workshops; Priority Setting; Project Implementation ASPECT TWO: LONG TERM VISIONING & PLANNING Release schedules; Specifics; Roles; Reporting; Budgeting ASPECT THREE: GRANT MANAGEMENT Community Planning & Development; Zoning Board of Appeals; Conservation Commission; Reading Historical/Historic District; Trails Committee; Climate Advisory; Other ASPECT FOUR: BOARDS & COMMITTEES FY25 FY26 Change Salaries $627,500 $658,800 +4.98% Expenses $105,100 $135,100 +28.54% PUBLIC SERVICES FY26 CHANGES THANK YOU! MNRHSO Expenses (+$30,000) to be reimbursed by municipalities. Reading expenses of $15,000 per year NOT increasing