Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-01-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting January 27, 2007 The meeting convened at 8:35 a.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Ben Tafoya, Vice Chairman James Bonazoli; Secretary Stephen Goldy, Selectman Camille Anthony and Richard Schubert. Also present were Elaine Webb and David Michaud from the School Committee, Michelle Williams from the Finance Committee, DPW Director Ted McIntire, DPW Business Administrator Jane Kinsella, Police Business Administrator Andrew Scribner, Health Administrator Jane Fiore, Elder/Human Services Administrator Dawn Folopoulos, Library Director Ruth Urell, David Hutchinson, Susan Axelson, Victoria Yablonsky, Karyn Stord from the Board of.Library Trustees, Carol Patterson, Betty Cronin, Paula Koppel, Marcia Dresser from the Nurse Advocacy. Task Force, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur. Discussion/Action Items Review FY 2008 Budget Conununity Services - Health—Health Services Administrator Jane Fiore outlined two requests: o Increase the.Public Health Nurse from 32 hours (4 days/week) to full-time. In 2005, the nurse had 151 communicable disease cases and in 2006,this has increased to 163 cases. The Public Health Nurse is also working with the Health Administrator on issues of Homeland Security and avian flu issues. ® Increase Health Inspector—The Inspector is now 30 hours per week. The proposal is to increase the special services to 1 1/2 FTE's. Mrs. Fiore reviewed the level of work including . the annual permits (1200+), housing complaints (200+), general complaints (300+), food complaints, pool inspections, tanning facilities, new food establishments and camps (28). From 2001-2005, complaints have increased 20%, and inspections approximately 10%. There was discussion about the increase in the Riverside proposed budget. The number of residents has increased from 920 in 2005 to over 1,000 in 2006. There was a question as to whether the hospital trusts could cover some of these costs. There was also questions about whether or not some of the work that was done by the Health Division could be done by others -- like immunization through personal physicians. There were requests for further information on inspection data. Elder/Human Services —Elder/Human Services Administrator Dawn Folopoulos talked about transportation. There is a need for out of town medical transportation. Elder/Human Services is currently reviewing this and other issues with the Trust Fund Commissioners. Board of Selectmen Meeting—Januga 27, 2007—Page 2 There was discussion about Nurse Advocacy. The proposal was to have a 20 hour per week position (eligible for benefits). Present were members of the Task Force: Carol Patterson, Betty Cronin,Paula Koppel,Marcia Dresser, James Bonazoli. Selectman Camille Anthony asked how this could go with-the Hartstein study regarding what services are provided to individuals by what organizations. Proponents felt. that there were opportunities for collaboration. The Elder/Human Services Division and the Health Division could work together. The Nurse Advocacy Program would not include any "hands on nursing care." The target population will be frail seniors with no family. Mrs. Fiore indicated that the Health Division does screening and they do a lot of work with elders. They also do education and nurse assessment. Board ofAsses.sors —There is a need to increase the Assistant Appraiser from half-time to full-time. This is needed in order to accomplish the workload of re-inspecting all properties within the nine year timeframe. It takes two hours per property to do the inspection including data entry. The Assistant Appraiser handles the workload on new growth. The question was raised as to whether the Inspections Revolving Fund could cover some of these costs, and the Town Manager noted that it could for new development but not for ongoing work. Public Works — DPW Director Ted McIntire presented the DPW budget. There was question as to whether or not the Cemetery Building should be included in the Capital Improvements Program. There was discussion about the balance of the Recreation Revolving Fund. The Town Manager noted that the date that this fund needs to be"balanced out" is October 1"when all revenues and expenditures for programs are neutral with respect to sports seasons. The Recreation Division has a strong working relationship with the Parks and Forestry Division. Additional items requested. were additional line painting, additional highway patch because of the cost of materials, and additional equipment maintenance because this is currently underfunded. The Assistant Town Manager noted that a better job in replacing capital would allow better at lower maintenance costs. Library — Library Director Ruth Urell outlined some of the strengths of the Library including Innovation Grants, links to the School Department, and keeping services strong, Current -hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They are currently open 53 hours per week.' Their priority is to add back Thursday morning hours (four hours per week). Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 27 2007 Page 3 The question was raised as to whether or not they might be better off doing Sunday afternoon from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ms. Urell noted that Sunday is more expensive because of payment of overtime. There was also discussion about increasing Library materials to meet the 15% requirement by the State. if we don't meet that requirement, then there is the potential loss of State Aid, loss of the Library borrowing, etc. There was discussion about putting the Senior Tax Work Program on the overlay, and we will have discussion with the Board of Assessors on that issue. Elaine Webb noted that the School Committee was having their Budget meeting on February 1St at 7:3 Opm. On motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their meeting of January 27,2007 at 12.35 p.m. by a vote of 5�0-0. Res eotfully submitted, "Y 'ru c Res ary