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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-09-09 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting September 9, 2008 For ease of archiving, the order that items appear in these Minutes reflects the order in which the items appeared on the agenda for that meeting, and are not necessarily the order in which any item was taken up by the Board. The meeting convened at 7:02 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Stephen Goldy, Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Richard .Schubert, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Town Engineer George Zambouras, Veterans' Agent Frank Driscoll, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown., Dick Monroe, George Perry, Maura Looney, Steve Tringale. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she had Office Hours this evening. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the Washington Park Committee will give an update to the Board on September 23rd, and then meet with neighbors on September 24 2008. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: • Heavy Vehicle Exclusions eliminated for lack of required heavy vehicle traffic—High Street and Franklin Street(from Main to Haverhill Streets). • Curbside Leaf Collection schedule: • Week of November 3rd . • Week of November 17th • Week of December 1st • Tennis Court status —The contractor is going ahead and making "spot" repairs. The Town Engineer sent a letter to the contractor indicating that the Town does not approve of this and this is an unacceptable corrective measure. • North Main Street Day Care Center. • Assessor's letter on abatements and exemptions to be distributed. • Main Street and Downtown • Parking study stakeholders meeting on September 25th at 7:30 p.m. • Barrows School Playground is completed. • Economic Development status report online - Business webpage and the EDC webpage. The link is called"Available Commercial Space," halfway down this page: htW://www.ci.reading.ma.us/Pages/businesses Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 912008—Page 2 • Street Opening Permits (see memo) — A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony instituting, effective October 1, 2008, a requirement that the Town EnIzineer impose a fee equal to double the regular fee for working in the public right of way without a permit from the Engineering Division of the Department of Public Works was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. • Debt funding(Bob LeLacheur). Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Proclamation - 50 Years of Service— George Perry— Fire Chief Greg Burns, George Perry and many members of the Reading Fire Department and Auxiliary were present. A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya approving the Proclamation honoring George Perry on his 50 years of service with the Reading Auxiliary Fire Service was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya to IZo into Executive Session for the purpose of liti atg ion to come back into Open Session at approximately 8:15 p.m. was approved on a roll caU.vote with all four members voting in the affirmative. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 8:30 p.m. Discussion/Action Items _ Highlights — Northeast Regional Vocational School District — N.E. Vocational School District Representative Maura Looney was present. She gave an overview of the programs, and noted that Reading has 26 students at the Vocational School. She also noted that the school's auto repair shop and hair salon are open to the public. Bill Brown noted that the school is doing a project for the Town which consists of making a. metal hook to hold the plants at the cemeteries in place. Update—Downtown—The Town Manager gave a brief update on the Downtown project. Pavement Management Update— Town Engineer George Zambouras noted that the study done in 2000 recommended an estimate of$850,000 for the next 10 years to maintain the PCI Budget. We are currently spending$750,000. If the Town spends $1 million, it will get back on track. The Assistant Town Manager noted that Page 17 of the handout shows the current Capital Improvements Program method of financing, and to borrow for five years just for roads is not a bad scenario. Chairman Stephen Goldy indicated that he would like to see what a $1.5 million module looks like. The Town Manager noted that he will put this on the October 7, 2008 Agenda. Review Study — Group Insurance Commission — Steve Tringale, the Town's Consultant on Health Insurance, noted that the Town has the opportunity to buy into the Group Insurance Commission. He also noted that health insurance is the only insurance offered. The Public Board of Selectmen Meeting September 9. 2008—Page 3 Employee Committee would have to vote to approve it by a 70% weighted vote. The Town cannot supplement benefits, and would have to send a letter by October 1, 2008 to notify the GIC if we want to join. Mr. Tringale reviewed the key benefit differences including tiered networks and co-payments, co-pay for hospitalization, co-pay for outpatient surgery.and mandatory generics — the member will pay the difference in price for brand names. He noted that many physicians in the Network Blue are in the Fallon Direct and Select. There are no out of network benefits. Mr. Tringale suggests asking MIIA to come up with a GIC look-alike product and/or consider changing the existing benefit package to be more in line with the GIC benefit.package. The Town Manager noted that MIIA is coming in to talk to the Public Employee Committee next week. Selectman Richard Schubert left the meeting at 10:00 p.m. Approval of Veterans'District—The Town Manager noted that he drafted a letter to Wilmington for'Chairman Stephen Goldy's signature asking if they want to be part of a three community district or to go out on their own. He also rioted that either way, we will be fully compliant. Veterans'Agent Frank Driscoll indicated that he feels the Town shouldn't change. He noted-that he does not receive benefits and if this position goes full time, then the Town will have to pay someone benefits. The Town Manager noted that Reading will eventually have to go full time and pay the benefits on our own. Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that the Town's goal is shared resources and cost savings. He suggested revising the letter to Wilmington and also sending a letter to the Lynnfield Board of Selectmen asking for more details. This will be put on a future agenda when there is a full Board. The Town Manager noted that there is a 20(b) exemption in tonight's handout that needs the Board's approval. A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya to approve the 20(b) exemption for Donna Beaulieu was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Approval of Minutes A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafova to approve the Minutes of July 8, 2008 was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafova to approve the Minutes of August 5, 2008 was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting-September 9, 2008 —Page 4 A motion by Tafoya seconded by Anthony to adjourn the meeting of September 9, 2008 at 10:31 p.m. was approved,by a vote of 3-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary