HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-07-13 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
July 13,2004
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 7:30 p.m. in the Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading,
Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Richard Schubert, Vice Chairman Camille
Anthony,' Secretary Gail Wood, Selectman Joseph Duffy, Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Lindsey Cardarelli
from Chronicle.
Discussion/Action Items
Goal Settingwith ith input from Department Head Goals—The Town Manager noted that the goal is
to establish an outline of a Mission Statement, and then to establish goals to provide direction for
next year. He will work with Department Heads to develop an action plan to bring back to the
Board of Selectmen.
Mission Statement
The Town Manager noted that the Mission Statement should be a brief description to explain
why we are here. Key words that Department Heads came up with are to meet basic needs,
services,leadership,responsive, efficient, financially responsible,visionary and quality.
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony asked if they should include schools. The Town Manager
noted that they should focus on Town Government.
Chairman Richard Schubert noted that education should be mentioned along with Town services
because it is one tax base.
Selectman Gail Wood noted that she thought the same thing and decided to leave it out because
if you mention one, you have to mention all. She indicated that they need to meet the basic
needs of all citizens.
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony suggested "to provide essential services to insure that the
health, safety, education and social needs of the citizens are met."
Selectman Gail Wood suggested "to meet and respond to basic needs of all citizens..."with key
words of leadership, open., welcoming, caring, efficient, financially responsible, partnership,
spirit of community and mutual respect.
The Town Manager noted that ethical behavior should be in the Mission Statement or the values.
Chairman Richard Schubert suggested"to serve the people and cost effective."
Board of Selectmen Meeting.—h Ul 13,2004—Page 2
Selectman Joseph Duffy suggested"leadership and quality care for all regardless of age."
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that leadership and vision have to be in the Mission
Statement.
The following is a summary of key words for the Mission Statement: Serve all people,
leadership/vision, based on values, financially responsible, reflects needs/desires of community,
basic needs/essential services, to provide the basic services that reflects the needs/desires of the
community.
Values
The Town Manager highlighted ethics and communication process as values.
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony suggested "open/welcoming/caring, striving to improve
services, long-term strategic planning and decision making." She also feels the integrity of the
infrastructure is important.
Chairman Richard Schubert noted that decision making is leadership and welcoming is an issue
of diversity.
Selectman Gail Wood noted that mutual respect is very important so people realize that it is okay
to disagree.
The Town Manager noted that it is important to balance the economic growth and preserve the
character of the community.
Goals
The Town Manager noted that the goals should be global in nature, prepared and approved by
the Board of Selectmen,and then reviewed,modified and affirmed.
Some ideas for goals are as follows: Financial health, quality of life/environment, development
and maintenance of infrastructure,protect life and property,long-term planning/vision, employee
succession/continuity, enhance volunteer government.
Selectman Gail Wood noted that Board, Committee and Commission training is still listed as a
goal.
The Town Manager noted that the landfill development will have a strain on public health and
safety.
Selectman Gail Wood noted that we need to explore new technology for deliverance of services.
The Town Manager noted that technology is a tool.
The Town Manager suggested "to develop strategic plans to enhance the quality of life in the
community and services." He also noted that we need to accommodate and absorb changes in
the community; i.e., the landfill development, RMHS, housing developments and Downtown
improvements.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 13, 2004—Page 3
Selectman Gail Wood noted that the Town needs to develop a water protection and management
plan.
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that we need something in regards to providing elder
services, library, etc. The Town Manager noted that would come under the quality of
life/community character.
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that we need to state professionalism and innovation as a
value.
Liaison Assignments
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she would like to hear from Boards, Committees and
Commission as to how the liaisons can be more effective. The Town Manager noted that the
Selectmen get agendas and packets and the Boards, Committees and Commissions should let the
liaison know if there is an issue they need you there for.
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony suggested devising a system to communicate what expectations
are expected by the Board of Selectmen. Chairman Richard Schubert suggested printed rules
and regulations.
The following liaison assignments were made: Richard Schubert — Accounting and School
Department; George Hines — Library, ZBA, CPDC, Conservation Commission and Historical
Commission; Camille Anthony — Finance Department, Board of Health, Constable, Board of
Registrars, Council on Aging/Mystic Valley Elder Services.
A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to go into Executive Session regarding Lab-or
Negotiations not to come back into Open Session was approved on a roll call vote with an
four members voting in the affirmative.
Respectfall submitted,
y
Secretary