HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-01-15 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
January 15, 2005
The meeting convened at 9:10 a.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room, 16 Lowell
Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman Camille Anthony,
Secretary Gail Wood, Selectmen Joseph Duffy and George Hines, Fire Chief Greg
Burns, DPW Director Ted McIntire, Town Accountant Richard Foley, Finance Director
Beth Klepeis, Library Acting Director Elizabeth Dickinson, Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner, Department Heads or Acting Department Heads and Lt. Michael
Cloonan. Also present were Bill Brown, Thomas Ryan and Ralph Colorusso from Board
of Assessors,Paul Feely from Chronicle,Ms. Russell from Advocate and Elaine Webb.
The Assessors also had a quorum and called the meeting to order.
The Town Manager reviewed the revenue forecasts. The Board of Assessors has
requested a $100,000 increase in the COLA reserve. They noted that the levy is going up
each year; if the Board of Selectmen decided to classify properties, we would see more
abatement requests.
The Town Manager noted that the impact on abatements requests have been a part of the
consideration of classification. He suggested that if the COLA reserve needed to be.
increased, it should be increased incrementally over some period of years.
Selectman George Hines felt that it should be phased in, and that the Board of Assessors
should be less aggressive in their re-assessment.
Ralph Colorusso noted that the Assessors are required to adjust annually. They will also
be required to assess exempt properties in the future.
Tom Ryan noted that they have 350 sales per year, and we need to keep assessments up.
Selectman George Hines felt that the re-assessment has some arbitrary aspects to it.
Tom Ryan noted that if there were no overrides or exclusions, the tax levy would have
gone up 3%, including new growth.
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony suggested separate discussion with the Assessors.
Selectman George Hines noted that he thinks re-classification is unlikely.
The Board discussed charges for services and particularly fines. The Board felt that part
of traffic enforcement should be 'more fines and less warnings. They suggested
;; increasing the fine revenue by 10%.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 15,2005—Page 2
Elaine Webb felt that a slight increase in.tickets and fines would have a positive effect in
enforcement. Lt. Michael Cloonan stated that he would discuss this with the Chief.
The Town Manager reviewed State Aid and noted that when the Governor's budget
comes out the week of January 24h, we would have some better figures.
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony suggested that we set up a process regarding earnings
distribution from the RMLD.
The Town Manager reviewed the expense budget, and focused on a review from a two
page chart that outlined the highlights of the FY 2006 draft budget. The Board asked the
Town Manager to review whether or not any funds were available from the revolving
fund.
There was discussion about the Assessors' request for an additional staff position as well
as more money for appraisals. 'The Town Manager will meet with the Board of Assessors
to discuss these two matters.
The Library Acting Director Elizabeth Dickinson indicated that the cost of reinstating
hours for Wednesday evening should be approximately $25,000 for the year. The
Library is now open 53 hours per week.
The'Town Manager talked about the issue of storm water management and the fact that
there was no revenue included if this goes to an enterprise system.
Bill Brown noted that he feels that storm water management would be a tax, not a fee and
would probably be illegal.
Selectman George Hines suggested that we look to see if there are areas where usages
can be reduced and budgets can be scaled back. Also, we need to continue to look for
creative approaches to what we do.
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony suggested that we develop a budget showing what a 2%
increase would be.
The Town Manager asked the Board to look at the items on the chart and prioritize them.
The Board agreed to the following:
1. Special items that we cannot avoid—things like conditional costs of sand and salt.
2. Modification staff to implement the Finance Director/Assistant Town Manager
position.
3. Town Manager's salary.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 15, 2005—Page 3
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony asked about revenue generation, and what items we
might look at there. She also feels that the upkeep of properties owned by the Town is
essential, and asked about the possibility of.community service being done by High
School students.
Vice Chairman Camille.Anthony asked for the update of the Mission and Goal Statement.
The Town Manager indicated that the Department Heads have done their work, and he
needed to follow up with that.
Selectman Gail Wood indicated .that re-instituting curbside leaf collection is a low
priority for her — she would rather see the money put into more hours at the Compost
Center if we are going to spend that kind of money.
The Board agreed to meet on February 5th to look at a revised budget based on all items
that would be changed by then.
On motion by Hines seconded by Wood, the Board voted to adiourn their meeting of .
January 15, 2005 at 11:00 a..m. by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Ryan seconded by Colorusso, the Board of Assessors voted to adjourn
their meeting of January 15,2005 at 11:00 by a vote of 2-0-0.
i Respectfully submitted,
-
Secretary