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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-12-16 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting December 16, 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 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Stephen Goldy, Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya, Secretary James Bonazoli, Selectmen Camille. Anthony and Richard Schubert, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Library Director Ruth Urell, Human Resources Administrator Carol Roberts, Recreation Administrator John Feudo, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Priscilla Gottwald, Nancy Swain, Dawn Cunningham, Kim Honetschlager, Ken Rossetti, Richard Foley, Scott Busnach,Rachel Brown, Susan Axelson, Mark Nelson. Reports and Comments Public Comment — Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that there was an email from Lois Bell regarding parking in the Municipal Lot behind the Atlantic Mart. He also noted that there was an email from Joyce Taormina regarding the parking on Gould Street. She is having difficulty backing out of her driveway. There was discussion among the Board regarding the layout of Gould Street. The Town Manager noted that be backed his car out of her driveway and it is doable. Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that there was also an email from Ellen Emmons regarding the parking and traffic around the schools. He suggested that the Selectmen observe the schools during the day, and also get an update on the safe route to the school's program. Selectman Camille Anthony requested that the Principals be contacted to see if they have any issues regarding parking and traffic. Selectman Camille Anthony requested that the .use of water reserves and the hiring of a DPW Director be put on the Action Status Report. Personnel and Appointments Contributory Retirement Board —The Board interviewed Richard Foley for one position on the Contributory Retirement Board. Bonazoli moved and Tafoya seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Contributory Retirement Board with a term expiring December 31, 2011: Richard Foley. Mr. Foley received five votes and was appointed. Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Committee — The Board interviewed. Scott M. Busnach for one position on the Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Committee. Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 16, 2008—Page 2 Bonazoli moved and Tafoya seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2011: Scott M. Busnach. Mr. Busnach received five votes and was appointed. Discussion/Action Items Continued Hearing=Pay and Classification Plan — Consultant Rachel Brown and Human Resources Administrator Carol Roberts were present. The Town Manager noted that there was a memo in the packet indicating the steps in the process and a list of the meetings with staff. He met with the Library Board and staff on Monday. He also noted that there was an email in the packet from the Assessors who approve the plan. He noted that Town Meeting approved $70,000 for the cost to implement the plan, and the revised cost is $61,000 which is lower than what Town Meeting approved. He stated that there are five title changes in the plan for Library personnel. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if the cost of implementation is in the packet for FY09. The Town Manager indicated that it is, and he explained to staff that the budget that is being built for FYI has an increase of 0%. Chairman Stephen Goldy asked if the RCASA Director belongs on the grid because it is paid by a grant. The Town Manager indicated that all non-union positions need structure and are placed in the plan. He noted that if the grant goes away, so does the position. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if the RCASA Director position was placed in Grade I due to the pay, and Rachel Brown indicated that it was due to the pay. Selectman Anthony noted that it is not appropriate to place a position in a Grade due to pay. Selectman Richard Schubert suggested putting an asterisk with a-footnote explaining why it is in that grade because it is not the same level of responsibility. The Town Manager noted that the Program Coordinator is also the same thing. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that the State determined the salary for the RCASA Director, not the Town. Selectman James Bonazoli rioted that`it was important to be fair and equitable with employees, and he indicated that it is important to also keep in line with union employees. The Town Manager noted that he has had meetings with staff and they understand the grid. He also noted that there are actually little changes from the old structure--we're just fine tuning the plan. Susan Axelson, Chairman of the Library Board of Trustees, thanked the Town Manager for meeting with the Library Trustees last evening and sharing-the information. She requested that the Trustees be included in the process moving forward. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to close the hearing on amending the"Town of Reading Classification Plan" and the "Town of Reading Compensation Plan" as proposed was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting=December 16 2008—Page 3 _A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to approve the amendments to the "Town of Reading Classification Plan" and the "Town of Reading Compensation Plan," as presented and amended on December 16, 2008, effective with the first full payroll after January 1, 2009 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing— Liquor Policy Amendments to be Continued to January 6, 2009 — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that the Chamber of Commerce requested that the hearing be continued because it is a busy time of year for the licensees, and they are not available to attend the hearing. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli to continue the hearing on the liquor policy amendments to January 6, 2009 at 8:45 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Update — Materra Cabin — Selectman James Bonazoli noted that there is a problem with the septic system, and it will cost$70,000 to convert to the sewer system. The Town Manager noted that the Town can do some of the sewer conversion: Recreation Administrator John Feudo noted that Conservation oversees the property. He also noted that improvements totaling $50,000499,000 need to be done for accessibility and group use. Selectman Camille Anthony suggested using the Vocational School to do some work. She noted that the lodge at Breakheart Reservation was done by the Vocational School and is beautiful. She asked who is in charge of the cabin, and the Town Manager noted that the scheduling will be done by Recreation. The sense of the Board was to start using the property as much as possible. Report of Washington Park Committee— John Feudo introduced the members of the Committee that were present. Nancy Swain reviewed the process and contacts. She noted that the main reasons people don't use the park are due to the atmosphere, safety issues, parking is troublesome, and the playground has no shade. Things that residents would like to see are a pathway, a playground with shade, improvements in the aesthetics, passive activities and angled parking. Recommendations of the Committee: • Move the baseball field . • Improve drainage • Rebuild the backstop ® Build a shed for storage • Create two bullpen areas • Add walking path • Remove double fence • Add passive activity Install netting to stop balls - • Tennis and basketball courts e Multi-purpose court 0 Move playground to the basketball site Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 16, 2008—Page 4 Regarding parking and entrances, the Committee suggests that the entrances at Riverside/Warren be made ADA accessible. They also recommend that the Selectmen pursue parking restrictions on Warren Avenue. At the Washington Street entrance, they recommend removing the stone wall and creating diagonal parking. Regarding the monuments and dedications, they suggest moving the Vietnam Memorial to behind the baseball backstop, move the water fountain, and move the Pacino rock near the Warren/Riverside entrance. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if netting will be needed with the movement of the field. Representative from the Reading Babe Ruth Baseball Mark Nelson indicated that it will be needed and the abutters are okay with that. Selectman Richard Schubert asked about the demand for a tennis court, and John Feudo noted that one court should be enough because there is not much demand there. John Feudo thanked Paul Millet of the Environmental Partners Group for putting together the plans for the park. Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that the basketball courts and tennis court are currently unusable. They need to be improved as soon as possible so more people will use the park. Selectman Richard Schubert asked about fencing, and Mark Nelson noted that the Varsity Coach stated that there is no need for fencing. Nancy Swain indicated that the neighborhood doesn't want a fence - they want to keep it as a park. Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that a fence would limit the adult use of the park. Selectman Richard Schubert suggested documenting that there will be no fences. The Town Manager noted that the Committee dissolves on December 31, 2008. He will schedule a hearing to talk about implementation. The playground is slated for 2010 but there is no money for the courts. This hearing will be scheduled in January. Update—Birch Meadow Master Plan—The Town Manager noted that the survey work should be done by the end of the year. He will schedule an update in January, and then put this on the agenda at the end of February. Town Manager's Evaluation—Chairman Stephen Goldy thanked Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya and Selectman Camille Anthony for putting together the Town Manager's evaluation. Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya summarized the highlights of the evaluation, and noted that it was an excellent evaluation.' The two items that need more work are follow up on the DPW Study and Customer Service training. The Board determined that goals will be set in January, and the Town Manager's salary will be discussed at the next meeting. Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 16 2008 —Page 5 Approval of Minutes. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to approve the Minutes of November 25, 2008 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to adjourn the meeting of December 16, 2008 at 10.00 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. espectfully submitted, Secretary