HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
February 24, 2003
The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Camille Anthony, Vice Chairman Matthew
Cummings, Secretary Richard Schubert, Selectmen George Hines and Gail Wood, Town
Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Finance Director Beth Klepeis, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Police
Chief Bob Silva, Library Director Kim Lynn, Town Accountant Richard Foley, Public Works
employees David Lee, Jim Richardson, Peter Tassi, Bob Keating, Joe Delaney, George
Strazzere, Tom Ward and the following list of interested parties: Richard Stosez, Vicki
Yablonsky, Elizabeth Dickinson, Roberta McRae, Stephen Conners, Hal Torman, Maria
Silvaggi, Catherine Martin, Chuck Robinson, John Fuedo.
Discussion/Action Items
Approval of Health Insurance Agreement — Chairman Camille Anthony noted that we had the
Health Insurance Agreement to approve. The Town Manager explained that the Health
Insurance Agreement retained the current 70/30 percent split between the Town and employees.
There were no other changes.
On motion by Wood seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the
Health Insurance Agreement between the Town and the Unions by a vote of 5-0-0.
Budget Review - Selectman George Hines noted that the Chronicle today had information on
Question 2 — the issue as to whether or not the Barrows School and the new school were linked
and whether the SBAB would consider some alternatives. Selectman Richard Schubert noted
that would be subject to the SBA being willing to reconsider either or both of the projects.
The Town Manager reviewed the FY 2004 Budget status to date. Decisions already made
include the use of the formula developed by Finance Committee Member Dick McDonald for
distribution of reductions in revenue between the Town and the School. It also included
agreement to do a Pay-As-You-Throw rubbish fee with the proceeds to go to directly offset the
costs of rubbish disposal.
The following issues were raised by the Board of Selectmen as needing further information:
Category 1 Reductions
1. The allocation to the electric fund under Accounting and Finance—how do we derive this
and what is the affect of having more or less staff.
2. Should we look at the conservation fees covering a percentage of the costs of the
Conservation Division rather than using a flat rate?
3. What is the cost of the flu program in total?
Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 24 2003 —Page 2
4. What are the costs of Police details to the Department'of Public Works ($17,477 in
proposed FY 2004 Budget)? What is a list of projects and uses that the details are put to?
5. We should review the Veterans' Flower Fund and see what amount should be charged to
the Veterans' Flower Fund (the flowers are $4000, not $5100 as indicated). The Town
Manager will talk with the committee to see what amount would be available for FY
2004.
Category 2 Reductions
1. The reductions in the Library would leave us with 50 hours per week which would be the
minimum allowed by the State, in order to be eligible for a waiver. The Library Board
voted to request $46,900 in the override which would get the Library to the minimum
amount needed to be certified but would still result in a reduction of three hours per
week. To match the hours of operation in FY 2003 would require a$869,000 budget.
2. The Fire Department will develop additional statistical data on number of calls, number
of EMT calls, etc.
3. The Police Department will identify specific Crossing Guard locations which, if an
override was not successful, would be eliminated.
4. The Police Department will review statistical data on the calls for services and crime rate.
5. For the Police Department, we will put the .50 salary position into the override.
6. In the Police Department, we will identify the amount of money required for appropriate
training.
7. Within the Police Department, the Chief will identify the major uses of overtime: court,
cover shifts, special investigations, end of shift work and training.
8. The Town will identify what we would get for the small amount of mosquito control
monies that would be available.
The Board discussed what would happen at the Financial Forum. The intent is to get discussion
input into what if any overrides or debt exclusions would be put forward. The Board of
Selectmen will meet on Thursday evening and we will post a meeting for Saturday morning in
case it is needed.
The Town Manager asked the Board to approve the Pierce Street settlement dated 2/24/03.
On motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert the Board voted to approve the settlement
of litigation on the Pierce Street matter by a vote of 4-0-0
Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 24, 2003 —Page 3
The Board discussed the Town Meeting schedule for Monday, March 3. Vice Chairman
Matthew Cummings will do the presentation. The Town Manager will put together a list of dates
and chronology for the presentation. The Ad Hoc Committee will be invited to be in attendance.
Special Counsel will be asked to attend.
On motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert, the Board voted to adjourn their meeting
of February 24, 2003 at 10:59 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
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