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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-01 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting i March 1, 2005 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 7:35 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Richard Schubert, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Gail Wood, Selectmen Joseph Duffy and George Hines, Acting Library Director Elizabeth Dickinson, Board of Library Trustees Chairman Vicki,Yablonsky, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Ben Tafoya, Fire Fighter Bob Beck, Sergeant James Cormier, Lisa Cormier, Tom Stackem, Gene Nigro, Sandy Trainor. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman George Hines noted that Natalie Goodall is no longer covering Reading and she mentioned in a letter that the politicization of the School Committee needs to be looked at. Selectman Hines also noted that the press should be able to ask questions during meetings. Selectman Joseph Duffy noted that Frank Hadley has worked for the RMLD for 50 years and that calls for a Certificate of Appreciation. Selectman Gail Wood noted that she attended a meeting of the data gathering subcommittee of the Interchange Task Force. The next meeting of the whole task force is on Saturday. She also noted the data is good but asked if sunrise and sunset were taken into consideration, and construction can also slow down traffic. Public Comment — Bill Brown noted that if the Board wants to acknowledge longevity, Bob Nordstrand has been an Assessor for 35 years and a Town Meeting Member for 39 years. Town Manal4er's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: o These are the following openings in volunteer Town Government: •Board of Registrars for a Democrat •Two Conservation Commission members •Human Relations Advisory Committee •Cemetery Board •Water, Sewer and Storm Water Management Advisory Committee •Finance Committee •Historic District Commission ♦ The Wood End working group has had one meeting and is meeting again on March 4th. e The Red Sox Trophy is coming to Reading on March 9th from 10:00 'til 11:30 a.m. at the Senior Center. Pictures will be permitted. Parking is very limited—walk over if you can. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 1, 2005—Page 2 4 Just when we thought we were almost through with Winter, we get another snowstorm. The DPW did a great job getting our roads in shape for today, and the schools are ready to open tomorrow. We did get some good news — FEMA will be reimbursing for some of the costs of the January blizzard. 4 There are registration forms in your packet for the MMA Spring update. + On March 4th, there is a budget discussion session with the Lt. Governor in Peabody for any members of the Board of Selectmen who are interested in attending. + The next 128/1-93 Task Force Meeting is this Saturday in Woburn. + In your packet on Pages 57 through 61 is a response to questions raised by the reporter from the Advocate following up on issues raised,by a local non-resident property owner. * The RPD is putting together another RAD Class starting March 10th — contact the business number at 944-1212 to register. 4 The Board's March calendar is on Page 52. Please note two consecutive Mondays, one with the School Committee and the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee, and one with FINCOM and the School Committee re: Health Insurance. Discussion/Action Items Presentation— Toys for Tots — Fire Fighter Bob Beck was prese.nt. He indicated that this is his seventh year working with the Marines for Toys for Tots. They collected 800 toys the first year and over 16,000 this year. The Fire Fighters collect for seven towns and deliver the toys to the Marines and this is all volunteer work. Selectman Gail Wood asked if there are volunteer opportunities for people who want to help, and Bob Beck indicated that there is in the warehouse doing sorting. He also noted that the toys go to local agencies; i.e., churches, DSS, etc. Signing of Health Insurance Agreement — The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen need to approve the Health Insurance Agreement. There has been a change in co-pays that saved the Town $137,000 this year. He anticipates going out to bid next year. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that #5 locks us in. The Town Manager noted that the language has been in there quite awhile and has never been implemented. A motion by Anthony seconded by Wood to approve the Health Insurance Agreement between the Town of Reading and the Town and School Unions for a term expiring February 28, 2006 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Close the Annual Town Meeting Warrant — The Town Manager noted that the final version of the Warrant is in tonight's handout. Article I is Elections and there are seven questions on the ballot. The wording was done by Town Counsel. Chairman Richard Schubert asked if there will be a mailing. The Town Manager indicated that the Charter amendments and explanation will be mailed to every household in Town. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 1, 2005 —Page 3 _ The Town Manager noted that Article 16 is a petition Article. that should have been in the budget. That will be dealt with in Article 15. The Town Manager noted that Article 24 is the cy pres for Memorial Park, and he will try to track down the heirs before Town Meeting. The Town Manager noted that Article 25 is for cordials and would need Town Meeting approval. The Board of Selectmen can add this onto the Beer and Wine Licenses. He received a list of cordials from the ABCC and there are over 200 cordials listed. The sugar content determines a cordial, not the alcohol content. Selectman George Hines noted that this information is helpful. He also noted that the way cordial was described to them previously was different; i.e., alcohol content and small amount. He indicated that this list almost makes a beer and wine license an all alcohol license, if you look at the list. Chairman Richard Schubert noted that the Board of Selectmen were misrepresented as to the quantity. A motion by Hines seconded by Anthony to delete Article 25 regarding cordials was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Town Manager noted that Article 26 is for Beer and Wine Package Store Licenses. It can go on the ballot or a Home Rule Petition. Selectman Gail Wood noted that she would rather have it on the Town ballot in the Spring which would require Home Rule legislation and then go on the Town ballot. Selectman George Hines felt that the voter turnout is better in the Fall. A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to change the language of Article 26 so that the process will take the Seer and Wine Package Store License to the Spring Election ballot was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Anthony opposed. A motion by Anthony seconded by Wood to close the Warrant consisting of 28 Articles for the 2005 Annual Town Meeting to take place on April 25, 2005 at the Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road at 7:30 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Appointment of Police Chief— The Town Manager noted that he has appointed Sergeant James Cormier, a 22 year veteran of the Reading Police Department as Police Chief. He sent out an RFP for consultants and choose I/O Solutions in Chicago. UO Solutions met with the community, Board of Selectmen, Clergy, Chamber of Commerce and held a public meeting. They developed a profile and ran an Assessment Center that consisted of a series of exercises. Five members went through the exercises. The panel assigned scores and the Town Manager was allowed to consider the top three. Sergeant Cormier was number one. He reviewed the Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 1, 2005 —Page 4 personnel files and there was nothing negative in any of the personnel files. Each candidate had a two hour interview with the Town Manager and the Human Resource Administrator- Carol Roberts. The Town Charter indicates that the Board of Selectmen need to confirm the appointment. The Town Manager feels that Jim Cormier will make an outstanding Chief. Selectman George Hines noted that a Sergeant was selected over a Lieutenant,rightly so because of the selection process and asked Sergeant Cormier how he will deal with it. Sergeant Cormier noted that he is familiar with the workings of the entire department, and he has received support from the whole department. He's sure that some are not happy but he has received overwhelming congratulations. Selectman George Hines asked if he received congratulations from the Superior Officers too, and Sergeant Cormier indicated that he has. Selectman Hines asked if this will be a morale issue, and Sergeant Cormier indicated that he did not think so. Selectman George Hines noted that Sergeant Cormier's willingness to look at the traffic enforcement issue was a deciding factor. Sergeant Cormier noted that issue is here to stay. The department does selective enforcement, receives money for Click and Ticket, and he feels low profile police cars would help in enforcement. Selectman George Hines noted that he had asked for a written enforcement plan, and all he received from the current Police Chief was an e-mail with statistics. He asked for Sergeant Cormier's opinion, and Sergeant Cormier indicated that more detail could have been given. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that there has been a disconnect between the Police Department and the Board of Selectmen. She also noted that the morale in the Department is poor. She asked how he will get the Department to work with the Board of Selectmen. Sergeant Cormier noted that the Selectmen are the representatives of the community and it is up to them to bring issues to him and he will deal with them. He indicated that the answers may not always be what they are looking for, but he will do the best that he can within the limits of the law. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that it is embarrassing to have residents ask for stop signs and then the Police Department says no. Sergeant Cormier noted that if there is certain criteria that doesn't allow stop sips, then he will relay it to the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Gail Wood asked how he judges whether morale is a problem. Sergeant Cormier noted that Officers need to have duties assigned. Morale can be cyclical and poor morale can come when a Chief is leaving. He indicated that he will lead by example and morale will follow. Selectman Gail Wood noted that regarding operations and policies, there is an issue of tickets with a fine attached to it, and she asked how does a policy of the Board of Selectmen fit into the Police Department. - Sergeant Cormier noted that the Board of Selectmen will want to suggest policies; i.e., writing money tickets but Reading is a close knit community. He also noted that most of the Police live in the community and have children who play and go to school with other Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 1, 2005 —Page 5 children. He noted that their wives shop at the same grocery stores, and they have to live among the residents. Selectman George Hines noted that the feedback from the residents is that current practice does not work. If fines don't work, then find alternative ways. Chairman Richard Schubert noted that a Sergeant being promoted to Chief over the Lieutenants breaks ranks. Sergeant Cormier noted that many members of the Police Department know that he has put in extra duties and time, and he feels that this is an example that hard work pays off. Chairman Richard Schubert asked how he will prepare for the impact of the development on the Town, and Sergeant Cormier noted that he will keep a close eye on the calls for service and watch the trends. He also indicated that white-collar crime will increase with commercial development, and that takes up a lot of Detective time. A motion by Duffs seconded by Hines that the Board of Selectmen, in accordance with Section 5-2b of the Reading Home Rule Charter, confirm the Town Manalzer's appointment of James W. Cormier to the position of Police Chief effective the end of business on April 22, 2005 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Meet with Community Parish Nursing—Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that her'husband is President of Community Parish Nursing, so she recused herself. Tom Stackem, Gene Nigro and Sandy Trainor from CPN were present. Sandy Trainor noted that her original plan was to delay the hiring of the Elder/Human Services Administrator. She also noted that a consultant evaluated the needs of the department, and the result was that Reading has a lot of services and there are no expressed unmet needs. She disagrees with that and noted that she has heard from frail elders that the problem is when they get sick and a nurse advocate is essential. She would like to see the switch in policy to shift the focus on the frail elderly. Chairman Richard Schubert asked how this would be implemented in day to day services. Ms. Trainor indicated going to doctor appointments with the person, work with Discharge Planner to help make arrangements to go home and to work with agencies. She also noted that.Brad Jones got $100,000 for Community Parish Nursing. Selectman George Hines asked who the nurse is, . and Ms. Trainor indicated that it was her. Selectman George Hines noted that if Town Meeting approves this, then it would have to go out to bid and that doesn't guarantee the CPN will get it. Selectman George Hines asked how much she is asking for, and Ms. Trainor noted that she is researching what the need is. Selectman Gail Wood noted that there are different types of frail. Ms. Trainor indicated that it is someone who needs support of at least one daily activity. The Town Manager noted that he is in the process of hiring an Elder/Human Services Administrator and needed direction from the Board. The consensus of the Board was for the Town Manager to move forward and hire an Elder/Human Services Administrator. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 1, 2005—Page 6 Approval to Start Library Director at Step 6 — Acting Library Director Elizabeth Dickinson and Board of Library Trustees Chairman Vicki Yablonsky were present. The Town Manager noted that the Library Board has been working to find a new Director and has a candidate who they want to hire at Step 6. Vicki Yablonsky noted that there has been a lack in the number and quality of'candidates. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony asked if there is money in the budget for this. The Town Manager noted that there would need to be an adjustment for this year. The difference is $2800. The Board had concerns about starting someone at-Step 6 because they would be at the top step in a few years. The Town Manager noted that the Library Board has done their due diligence. This is a key part of the management team and he recommends that the Selectmen approve it. A motion by Anthony seconded by Duffy to approve the hiring of the Library Director at Grade 16, Step 6, upon the recommendation of the Board of Library Trustees was approved by a vote of 3-2-0,with Hines and Wood opposed. Discussion — Town Manager's Evaluation - Chairman Richard Schubert noted that the Town Manager's Evaluation need to be done before the end of March. The same form will be used with updated goals. The Selectmen will return the evaluations to Paula Schena for compilation by March 15, 2005. This will be put on the March 29, 2005 Agenda. Chairman Richard Schubert noted the Selectmen need to meet regarding the redistricting plan. It should be a separate meeting and open to the public. This needs to be scheduled before Town Meeting. He also requested that the Action Status Report be updated. Approval of Minutes A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to approve the Minutes of February 15, 2005 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On a motion by Wood seconded by Duffy, the Board of Selectmen voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of strategy with respect to labor negotiations, not to come back into Open Session on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. Res ectfully submitted, Secretary