HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-10-19 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
October 19,2004
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 7:40 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Richard Schubert, Vice Chairman
Camille Anthony, Secretary Gail Wood, Selectmen Joseph Duffy and George Hines and
Paula Schena.
Personnel and Appointments
Mass Highway Route 128/1-93 Task Force — Chairman Richard Schubert noted that Selectman
George Hines has resigned from the Mass Highway Task Force and needs to be replaced.
Wood moved and Duffy seconded to place the following name into nomination as the Board
of Selectmen's representative on the Mass Highway Task Force: Camille Anthony. Mrs
Anthonv received five votes and was appointed.
Discussion/Action Items
Set the Town Manaizer's Salary— Chairman Richard Schubert noted that the Board had a memo
from the Town Manager dated September 27, 2004 with a salary study attached. He also handed
out a recent salary history over the last five years, and there is also a chart showing competitive
salaries from eight towns and what that average is.
Selectman George Hines commended the Board for taking this into their own hands and doing
this in an Open Session. He noted that he has participated in 14 evaluations of the Town
Manager and he exceeds expectations every year. He is proposing a 7.5% increase to make some
recoveries but noted that he will still be below the average salary. He also noted that the Town
Manager is paid less than other Town Managers, has excellent ratings and more responsibility
due to less staff.
Selectman Gail Wood suggested voting now for three year increases.
Selectman George Hines recommended making the adjustment this year and then look at it again
next year. He noted that the Town Manager is facing a significant challenge with the Town
Accountant and Town Treasurer leaving next year. He also noted that the Board's expectations
and standards are high and they will be looking for that when replacing them. He noted that if
Peter had to be replaced, the cost would be higher.
Chairman Richard Schubert noted that the Town Manager has staff who makes more than he
does, and that performance and salary go hand in hand.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-—October.19, 2004—Page 2
Selectman George Hines noted that the Town Manager covers all of the night meetings and pays
for all of his professional development.
A motion by Hines seconded by Wood to set the Town Manager's FY `06 salary increase at
7.5% bringing his salary to $114,595 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Review Goals — Chairman Richard Schubert noted that he spoke with the Town Manager this
morning, and the Town Manager faxed the values and Mission Statement for Vail, Colorado for
the Selectmen to use as a guideline.
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the Mission Statement should tell what you are
going to achieve and what the standard is. She feels that it should include the statement that the
mission is to positively effect the residents' quality of life.
Selectman George Hines noted that it should be the mission of Reading's Town Government, not
the Board of Selectmen.
Values
Selectman George Hines noted that Vice Chairman Camille Anthony stated at the RCTV
meeting last week that in setting values, you have to have open meetings, community interaction,
community service and community character.
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that this is a customer service organization. There is an
expectation in Town Government whether you are a paid employee or volunteer. The Town
values quality and expects quality. She requested that the Goals, Values and Mission Statement
be sent to all employees and Boards with a cover letter.
The consensus of the Board was to keep the values and goals that they originally established —
just remove the list at the top of the page. Chairman Richard Schubert will do some more work
on the Mission Statement.
Selectman George Hines requested that the Town Manager go back to the departments with the
goals and come back to the Board of Selectmen with objectives, activity, time frame to
accomplish and a plan to implement each of the goals.
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the Chairman of the School Committee is concerned
about the Charter change in building maintenance. He feels that because of Ed Reform, the
schools have the responsibility of maintenance of the schools. Selectman George Hines noted
that Town Counsel indicated that it is not inconsistent with Ed Reform.
A motion by Hines seconded by Wood to adjourn the meeting of October 19, 2004 at 8:45,
p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
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