HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-12-12 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
December 12,2006
The meeting convened at 7:05 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Ben Tafoya, Vice Chairman James
Bonazoll, Secretary Stephen Goldy, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Richard
Schubert and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner.
Diseussion/Actioia Items
Town Manager's Evaluation — The Members of the Board reviewed the progress on 15
goals that were established as the priority highest goals. Attached is a summary sheet of
those evaluations which resulted in a composite evaluation of 1.98.
Selectman Camille Anthony made the following comments: The past year has been filled
with challenges for the community which has seriously impacted the Town Manager and
the Board of Selectmen. The Town Manager has been directly involved in the action
strategy for dealing with issues in determining our future water supply, establishment of
the substance abuse initiative and facilitating the Addison-Wesley Working Group. All
of these initiatives have taken countless hours and the energy of all involved in the
decision-making process. The Town Manager has maintained his composure and
professionalism throughout all of these deliberations and has exhibited the perseverance
needed to complete the tasks at hand. Upon reflection of our new goal evaluation
process, I think it is obvious that A great deal of progress was made in the past year under
the direction of the Town Manager. The community can be reassured that its Town
departments have embarked upon a process of functioning as a team with a stated set of
priorities. The year ahead should bring closure to many of the goals that have been
initiated this past year. As always, I have the greatest regard for the dedication and the
well being of the community that the Town Manager has continually demonstrated.
Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that the Addison-Wesley Working Group process was well
done. The Town Manager is well orgam—zed. He has paid attention to the financial
platform and given adequate staff time to address this. -Future development of the senior
staff will be important, and he should suggest a staff development plan. He supports
continued attendance at the ICNIA Conference and the Town paying a portion of the cost.
Goal setting this coming year should address customer interaction. Customer service
should focus on citizen requests, survey capabilities and customer feedback.
Selectman Richard Schubert noted that local government is a dynamic organism.
Emerging issues.can have a tremendous impact. There needs to be a balance between
hot issues plus make advancement on the issues that we want to do. The Town Manager
does this well and is respected by his peers.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 12, 2006—Page 2
Vice Chairman James Bonazoli sent his more detailed comments this afternoon. He
appreciates the Town Manager's leadership on the Addison-Wesley Working Group. His
involvement calmed the atmosphere and provided direction and focus to this matter. He
works well with the Boards, Committees and Commissions. He has achieved the
implementation of the Downtown project which will begin this next year.
Selectman Stephen Goldy appreciates the Town Manager's time management and
organizational skills. The Town Manager has an excellent staff and is a good manager.
He is happy that the Town Manager and staff are embracing technology.
The Board reviewed the Town Manager's salary.
On motion.by Goldy seconded by Anthony to establish the Town Manager's salary
for the fiscal year beginninI4 July 1, 2007 at$120,942 per year.
Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that this was a difficult year and he felt
comfortable at a 2%increase.
Selectman Richard Schubert noted that we have reviewed the salary in the past and
determined that the position is underpaid. This occurred because the Town consistently
had tough budgets. A salary of $120,000 was appropriate three years ago when this
survey was done.
Selectman Camille Anthony noted that we did a one year salary increase at 7 '/2% to
make up for the deficiencies. She would support a 3%increase or$120,942.
Selectman Stephen Goldy felt that we should consider supporting professional
development for ICMA.
Chairman Ben Tafoya felt that we should set an example by providing for a 2% salary
increase but he feels comfortable with the 3%increase.
Vice Chairman James Bonazoli is concerned with moving forward with the tough budget
cycles but he felt comfortable with the 3%increase.
The main motion was.approved.by a vote of 5-0-0.
On.motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert, the Board voted to adiourn their
meeting of December 12,2006 at 8:45 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
4reJ
Town Manager's Evaluation 2006 1=Excellent 3=Fair 5=Bad
Composite Evaluatidn 2=Good 4=Poor
Rating
BT JB SG CA RS Total
Develop and implement a process to
evaluate and improve the financial
computer platform which is used by
all departments,with a goal of
implementing this process for FY
1 2008/2009 2 . 2 2 1 1 8
Develop a capital improvement
program process involving all
stakeholders; 1-5.2-Identify issues
and capital and maintenance needs
for.each facility performed by all
Department Heads with the Facilities
2 Director 2 1 2. 1 2 8
Develop preventive maintenance
plan(Facilities Director with input
from Department Heads); 1-5.4-
Develop calendar based schedule of
maintenance activities; 1-5.5-
Ensure that the Facilities Department
has proper financial resources to
3 achieve mission 2 3 1 2.5 2 10.5
Conduct employee Technology
Training in Word, Excel, Outlook,
Power Point,the web, and Access.
Conduct an in-house resources
inventory;then seek outside
4 resources as necessary. 3. 2 3 3 2 13
Conduct training on Emergency
Preparedness for Key employees &
5 elected officials updated annually. 2 2 1 1 1 7
Establish and foster internal
communications,through retreats
6 and other mechanisms 1 1 1 1 1 5
Establish.a system for employee
communications and information
7 (benefits, policies) 3 2 3 2 3 13
Educate elected and appointed
Boards &staff on respective roles,
8 responsibilities and relationships 3 3 . 3 2 3 14
For Town
Boards/Committees/Commissions
(BCC)develop an internal feedback
mechanism for the public to provide
systematic comment on the conduct
9 of.the Town's volunteer government 3 3 3 2 3 14
eve op i system'-51'
interconnectiverness with calendars
of members of
Boards/Committees/Commissions.
This should be similar to the
Microsoft Exchange program in use
for Town employees, to facilitate
better planning of meetings involving
the volunteer portions of Town
10 government 3 3 3 2 1 12
Develop and document the budget
process involving Boards &staff,
including all Departments(Town and
School)and major
11 Boards/Committees/Commissions 1 1 1 1 1 5
Develop a process and plan of how
the Town'will address the additional
affordable housing needs in the
12 community 1 1 1 1 1 5
Conduct an evaluation of the
Reading Public Library building as
13 well as library services 3 3 3 3 2 14
Identify consultants and scope the
cost of conducting such a study.
14 (DPW Management Study). 2 2 3 2.5 1 2 11.5
(Quality of Life) Implement the
recommendations of the Initiative
15 Against Substance Abuse 2 2 1 1 1 7
Average,rating 2.20 2.07 2.07 1.73 1.73 1.96