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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-07-29 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting July 29, 2003 The meeting convened at 7:35 p.m. in the Reading Municipal Light Department, Audio Visual Room, 230 Ash Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Richard Schubert, Secretary Gail Wood, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Matthew Cummings, Town Counsel Gary Brackett, School Committee Chairman Pete Dahl, School Committee Members John Russo, Rob Spadafora, Carl McFadden and John Carpenter, Superintendent of Schools Pat Schettini, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Dennis Richards, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena, and the following list of interested parties: . Jeff Struble, Brian Snell, Janice Berner, Linda Phillips, Elaine Webb, Bill Brown, Attorney Mark Gallant, Michael Bingham, Frank B. Postman, Danielle Robertson, Gail Grosbeck, David Weeks, Jessica Harley and Martha Reedy. Personnel and Appointments School Committee Member - School Committee Chairman Pete Dahl noted that the Boards needed to fill the vacancy due to Sue Cavicchi moving out of town. Selectmen Chairman George Hines noted that the process is designated by law — they place themselves temporarily.in place of the voters instead of holding a Special Election. He also noted that the process would be to give each candidate an opening statement, four questions, and then committee members may ask questions. The time limit will be five minutes for the opening statement and three minutes for the responses. Town Counsel Gary Brackett reviewed the voting procedure. He noted that a majority of the votes is required and that is 6 of the 10. He also noted that a motion will be made to place the various names into nomination. If no one gets six votes, then the second round will be the names of candidates who received at least one vote. The third round would be the names of the two candidates with the highest number of votes. Opening Statements Jeff Struble noted that he is a 19 year resident with a wife and two children. He started volunteering when recycling started in Reading. He started attending School Committee Meetings in the mid 90's. He is a structural engineer so he started attending School Building Committee Meetings. He started a one person lobbying campaign for the RMHS. He applied to the School Building Committee and was appointed. Brian Snell noted that he is an eight year resident. He is the Reading United Soccer Program Coach, and organizes the Summer Program for over 800 children. He has two daughters in Parker Middle School and one preschool daughter. He is a practicing attorney. He volunteered on the Principal Search Committee. He is familiar with the laws. Janice Berner noted that she is a nine year resident. She has an 11 year old son. She is a CPA and has an MBA in Accounting and an undergraduate in Psychology. She volunteers at the YMCA and on parents' committees. She is also a Big Sister, and likes to volunteer where she Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 29, 2003 —Page 2 can make the biggest contribution. She feels that if you build strong kids, you will build a strong community. Linda Phillips noted that she is a seven year resident and Town Meeting Member. She applied for the Finance Committee and other committees but was not appointed. She's a former employee of Polaroid where she was a team leader, trained hundreds of people, and was the travelling ambassador for Polaroid. She is the owner of Phillips' Antiques and Auctioning. She has read the entire Ed Reform, and is familiar with School Department policies and accounting procedures. She has attended most Finance Committee Meetings and School Building Committee Meetings. She is knowledgeable,persistent and hard working. Elaine Webb noted that she is a 25 year resident and has four children. She feels that the Town has the responsibility to deliver high quality education, and public education is not substandard to private institutions. She is a Town Meeting Member, has volunteered on Reading Pride, is a trustee for her church, a classroom volunteer, a tally manager, and co-leader for the Killam District. She has her BA in Industrial Engineering and Master of Science in Manufacturing. She worked for AT&T and then Lucent for 12 years where she did all aspects of production and contract negotiations. She was the manager of the largest optical unit at Lucent with a budget of $2.3 million. Question 1 — Give me an example of one issue You would like to work on as a member of the School Committee and how ought approach the issue to successfully resolve it? Brian Snell indicated that he would like to work on the selection of the Parker Middle School Principal next year. Janice Berner indicated that she is looking forward to the budget process. Linda Phillips indicated that she is interested in working with the curriculum group, and the 41h and 6`h grades are duplicating Social Studies. Elaine Webb noted that redistricting will be an issue with the new elementary school. She wants to reach out to PTO's to help make the process go smoothly. Jeff Struble indicated that he would like to help the new Superintendent get a plan to handle the three new projects. He would suggest creating an advisory board. Question 2 — Curriculum has been a hot topic over the years. What do you see as the School Committee's role in the curriculum offerings in our schools? Janice Berner noted that she would take the guidance of principals and teachers to see what works, and then use it at all of the schools. Linda Phillips noted that she gets alarmed when she sees gaps in the curriculums. She feels that the curriculum needs to be enhanced. She would like to see more public input. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 29, 2003 —Page 3 Elaine Webb noted that the Superintendent and his staff have the responsibility to recommend. She would like to assure funding for good curriculums. Jeff Struble noted that the Town can't cut back on curriculum where it will hurt the children. Brian Snell noted that we have to listen to the experts to develop a curriculum and hit each topic with significant level of details. He indicated that no two teachers teach the same subject the same way. Question 3 — Could you give us a flavor of your personal philosophy on public education and how should the public schools affect the lives of the children they serve? Current issues that come into play in this question are: vouchers, school choice and charter schools. Linda Phillips noted that she feels public education is an instrument and vehicle that children utilize to learn, and children should be encouraged in sports, music and religious endeavors. She also feels that public education is not an end all, and the Values Education Classes are not necessarily needed. Elaine Webb noted that public education is a bigger task. Private institutes can build a private niche but public schools have to meet a wide variety on limited funding. She indicated that 90% of the students stay in the Reading School System. Jeff Struble noted that he felt public education should be better than what he got. Brian Snell noted that public education is a huge responsibility. He feels that it is important to teach a sense of community and a variety of subjects. He also feels that vouchers will keep public education on their toes to be the best they can be. Janice Berner noted that it is the child's choice to go or not to go to college. We need to maintain the same level of education. Question 4 — The annual budget frequently needs to balance the needs for general municipal services and the needs of the School Department. A general guideline for division of revenue that has been used is 1/3 for municipal and 2/3 for schools. Please give us your perspective on this approach and what ideas if any, you might have for improving the budget process? Elaine Webb noted that she sat through the process. She feels there needs to be more collaboration with the School Committee, Finance Committee and the Town. She also feels everyone needs to understand why 2/3 or why they might need more than 2/3, and that Financial Forums are important. Jeff Struble noted that 1/3 and 2/3 is a good starting point but it shouldn't be written in stone — each side has different needs at different times. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 29, 2003 —Page 4 Brian Snell noted that he has budget experience through Town Meeting. He feels that we should start from zero base and determine what is needed, and noted that PTO's come to the rescue many times. Janice Berner noted that she feels priorities need to be determined and they could change from year to year. Linda Phillips noted that it hasn't always been 1/3 and 2/3. It used to be 45% and 55%. She feels that there has been a dramatic increase in the school budget but the number of students hasn't increased. She feels priorities need to be set and there are too many assumptions in the budget. She also feels that administrative merit pay, vacation buyback and Special Ed numbers need to be looked at. She noted that compared to other communities, the Reading Schools get the highest percentage of the budget. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked the candidates if they have any experience that will shorten the learning curve. Jeff Struble noted that he would review his questions with the Superintendent and School Committee Chairman. Brian Snell noted that he had four years of law school and he would look at prior Minutes and look at the laws. Linda Phillips noted that she is right up to step on the School Committee issues and she is highly motivated. Elaine Webb noted that having four children is good experience. She would look at past Minutes and talk to current and past members. She noted that the key is to have a passion for it. Carl McFadden asked each candidate for their definition of a successful school system? Brian Snell noted that it is when the children are happy to go to school every day. Janice Berner agreed with Brian. Linda Phillips noted that it is a system that encourages learning with mentoring along the way, good memories and a love for learning. Elaine Webb noted that it is a process for continuous improvements, and Killam School is successful. The children are happy and energized and there is a huge collaboration between parents and teachers. Jeff Struble noted that the proof is in the product. Rob Spadafora asked each candidate how they work in group dynamics? Board of Selectmen Meetin —July 29, 2003 —Page 5 Janice Berner noted that she has been through management training team building, and she would start by listening and then decide. Linda Phillips noted that she has been a team player in the past. She would consider widest ranges and can pool ideas and listen to others. Elaine Webb noted that the key is listening and you have to treat each other with respect. She also noted that the PTO is a team and she understands each team member's strengths. Jeff Struble noted that he does not always agree but will work for what the majority rules. Brian Snell noted that he is a team player at home, at work and in the community. He would present options and ideas and then rally behind the team. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked each candidate what the community can expect given the current budget status? Linda Phillips indicated that she sometimes thinks out of the box. She noted that the school project passed because no price tag was associated with it, and we should have funded the whole price of the school including operating expenses. Elaine Webb noted that she would look at the budget which is exceeding the growth rate and offset cost with revenue generation and work with the State representatives. Jeff Struble noted that the revenues will not keep up with the increases. The Town will tell you what they will pay. Brian Snell noted that we've been cutting off limbs over the past years and we need to work to get them back. Janice Berner noted that we need to get as much information as possible and not lose key programs. John Russo asked each candidate to name one or two deficiencies of the School Department Elaine Webb noted funding science curriculums and not enough time in the budgeting process. Brian Snell noted that education needs to be uniform throughout the Town. Janice Berner noted the budget process. Linda Phillips noted lack of oversight of money and Special Ed and excessive change orders. - , Jeff Struble's response was not recorded. Board of Selectmen Meetin�July 29, 2003 —Page 6 Pete Dahl asked each candidate if they were on the losing side of the vote, would they support the rest of the Committee? Brian Snell indicated yes --he was a team player. Janice Berner indicated yes. Linda Phillips indicated yes -- it is necessary to treat people with respect. Elaine Webb indicated yes -- that is a lesson we teach our children every day. Jeff Struble's response was not recorded. Wood moved and Cummings seconded to place the following names into nomination for one position on the School Committee with a term expiring upon the election of a successor at the next Annual Town Election: Jeffrey Struble, Brian Snell, Janice Berner, Linda Phillips and Elaine Webb. Janice Berner and Linda Phillips each received two votes and Elaine Webb received six votes. Ms. Webb was appointed. A motion by Russo seconded by Carpenter for the School Committee to adjourn at 9:30 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Continued Hearing — Motiva for 24 Hour Operation — Chairman George Hines noted that this was a continued hearing. Attorney Mark Gallant and representatives from Motiva and the Shell Station were present. Frank Postman reviewed the process to date. He noted that all systems have been upgraded. Selectman Gail Wood asked how long the injection of microbes will take to work. Mr. Postman indicated that they are looking at one year. Gail Grosbeck, Motiva's Compliance Coordinator, reviewed the current fail safes, and noted that the station is monitored every two hours in Houston. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked how things have changed since the year 2000. Ms. Grosbeck noted that they now have liquid sensors, line leak detectors and dispenser containment. They were previously doing daily inspections and are now doing weekly inspections. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked if everything underground is protected, and Mr. Grosbeck indicated that it is. Ms. Grosbeck noted that Motiva requires notification if there is a variance of 300 gallons/day, or 150 gallons/day for three consecutive days, or if it is over/short more than .5% Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 29, 2003 —Page 7 Selectman Matthew Cummings asked what volume .5% is at the station. The station owner noted that it was 500 gallons and they have secondary containment around everything now. Town Counsel Gary Brackett asked if they were under any obligation to file reports or tests with the Fire Marshall. Ms. Grosbeck indicated that they send tests to the Fire Department and Conservation Commission. A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to close the hearing on the 24 hour sales at 87 Walkers Brook Drive was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Cummings to approve an application for 24 hour sales by Motiva Enterprises, LLC d/b/a Reading Shell Station at 87 Walkers Brook Drive, upon a finding that, in accordance with Section 5.10.1 of the General Bylaws, the Board determines that: ♦ It is in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare to permit such operation; and ♦ There is no detrimental effect of such operation on the Town or the immediately abutting neighbors; and ♦ Subject to the following conditions: 1. The approval expires at midnight, December 31, 2003; 2. All signs shall conform with the Zoning By-Laws of the Town of Reading; 3. The menu of food to be covered by the Common Victualler's License shall be limited to those items specified in the license application; 4. The gasoline service station shall, in fact, be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 5. The operator will ensure that there is a supply of gasoline available at the station during all hours that the station is open; 6. The operator will provide gas cans for motorists who run out of gasoline on theroad; 7. The operator will prepare and post a list of local towing and repair shops that are open 24 hours a day for those who need it; 8. Bathroom facilities shall be open 24 hours a day. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to o adjourn the meeting of July 29, 2003 at 10:45 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, /Secretary