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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-01-08 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting. Executive Session January 8, 2002 The Executive Session convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Matthew Cummings, Selectmen Rick Schubert and Gail Wood, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and Paula Schena. Litigation—82 Linden Street The Town Manager noted that the property has been sold and will be used either as a one or two family so there is no issue anymore. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to approve the Agreement for Judgement for 82 Linden Street subject to ZBA approval was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. Sale of Real Estate- Landfill The Town Manager noted that he and Selectman Matthew Cummings met with Mark Dickinson and DEP regarding the issue of not having a hotel and office and would DEP still approve the plan. There was a positive response from DEP. The Town Manager noted that Home Depot, Jordan's Furniture and Chilis are all set. 128 Sales wants the hotel site and they will give Dickinson their land. This would require a change in the purchase and sales and Dickinson would have penalties to pay. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony requested the tax information on 128 Sales. The Board discussed the letter from Town Counsel regarding Cumberland Farms and the statute of limitations. The letter suggests putting former Town Counsel's malpractice insurance carrier on notice. The Town Manager will talk with Town Counsel about putting Keegan, Werlin and Pabian on notice. Approval of Minutes A motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings to approve.the Executive Session minutes of December 18, 2001, as amended, was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to adjourn the Executive Session at 8:02 p.m. was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. Respectfully submitted, Secretary Board of Selectmen Meeting January 8, 2002 The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Matthew Cummings, Selectmen Richard Schubert and Gail Wood, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Gerry MacDonald, Bill Brown, Will Finch, Kent Hattery, Daniel Thibeault, Stephen Ballou, Tony Gentile, Roger Quimby, Arthur Vars. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to litigation (82 Linden Street and others), strategy with respect to sale of real estate and approval of minutes to come back into Open Session at approximately 8:00 p.m. was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 8:05 p.m. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he attended a meeting'with DEP, the Town Manager and Dickinson on December 27, 2001 regarding the closure plan. The plan will be filed by the end of January. He noted that the hotel and office market is soft so that won't be moving quickly. The RMLD Oversight Task Force met three times. They have created the Mission Statement, and have appointed Melanson Heath as auditors. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that RMLD is of their own legal opinion that they have to conduct their own audit. The Town's audit will look at travel, entertainment, credit card use and petty cash over the last three years. Chairman George Hines indicated that it is inappropriate for the RMLD to conduct their own audit. He feels that it will not be an independent audit if they are hiring and managing the auditor, plus it is a duplication of work. Selectman Matthew Cummings indicated that regarding the payment of the audit, the RMLD agreed to pay if it is under their auspice. The Finance Committee authorized a Reserve Fund Transfer but they want the Town to work out arrangements to be reimbursed. The RMLD is stating that the payment is not allowed under the agreement. North Reading and Wilmington disagree. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that the Citizens Advisory Board can modify the agreement. John Corbett will pursue amending the agreement with the Citizens Advisory Board. The Town Manager will have Town Counsel look at the agreement. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 8, 2002 —Page2 Chairman George Hines noted that the General Manager has his own personal Counsel attending the meetings at an hourly rate that the RMLD is paying for. He also noted that the RMLD paid $500 to have a meeting videotaped when RCTV charges only $50. He feels that if the RMLD hires an auditor, the cost will be exorbitant. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony indicated that she has concerns about the RMLD's law firm because they advised against the General Manager providing information to the Inspector General. Selectman Gail Wood noted that she doesn't understand why the RMLD has deemed payment of the auditor as inappropriate when they already pay for a portion of our audit. Selectman Gail Wood noted that she attended a meeting of the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. They have finished the review of the rate study and will be recommending not to change the way the rates are charged. They will consider seasonal rates when we are hooked up to the MWRA and have changed to monthly billing. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that he attended the School Committee Meeting. They have started their budget review. Chairman George Hines noted that he attended three meetings of the RMLD Oversight Task Force. He announced that he intends to run for re-election this year. Public Comment—There was no public comment. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ The next Board of Selectmen's Forum is scheduled for Tuesday, January 15, 2002. ♦ Former Selectman Sally Hoyt has been in the hospital recovering from planned knee replacement surgery. ♦ Carol Roberts has been informed by MIIA that Reading will receive a wellness award at the MIIA Annual Meeting next weekend. ♦ Four members of the Board of Selectmen and I will be at the MMA Annual Meeting this weekend in Boston. The cost of attending is $99 per person, and the meeting is all day Friday and all day Saturday. ♦ Nomination papers are now available in the Town Clerk's Office for the Town Election. All Town Meeting seats are up for election because of the implementation of re-districting as a result of the 2000 Census. Papers must be returned by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12. ♦ We have received notice that the Main Street Reading/North Reading bridge over the Ipswich River is being considered for rehabilitation or reconstruction. This was an initiative of the Massachusetts Highway Department. ♦ The Fire and Police Chiefs, DPW Director, Health Services Administrator, representatives of the School Department, and I will be participating in an exercise to test our emergency plan on January 22, 2002. The event scheduled is a"Table Top" exercise and will be run by the Mystic Regional Local Emergency Planning Committee. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 8, 2002—Page 3 ♦ Open burning by permit will begin on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 and end on Tuesday, April 30, 2002. ♦ Dave Swyter has resigned from the Light Board, and he will be resigning with a date certain in order to have this on the ballot. ♦ The Community Highway Action Group is looking for a liaison— Selectman Rick Schubert will serve as liaison. Personnel and Appointments Conservation Commission — The Board interviewed Kent Hattery and Daniel Thibeault for one position on the Conservation Commission. Daniel Thibeault indicated that he would defer to Kent Hattery and would consider an Associate position. Cummings moved and Wood seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Conservation Commission with a term expiring June 30, 2002: Kent E. Hattery, Mr. Hattery received five votes and was appointed. Discussion/Action Items Presentation of Career Service Awards to Fire Fighters—Fire Chief Greg Burns was present. He noted that the State developed the Service Awards for Fire Fighters with more than 20 years of service. .Chief Burns presented the following Fire Fighters with their awards: Captain Stephen Ballou - 30 years, Fire Fighter Tony Gentile - 35 years, Fire Fighter Roger Quimby - 30 years, Fire Fighter Arthur Vars - 30 years and Fire Fighter Frances Driscoll- 25 years. FY 2003 Budget — The Town Manager noted that staff is projecting a 3% increase in revenues totaling $933,078. Local revenues are expected to decrease by$25,000. State aid is projected at $747,075 which is for school building assistance. A decrease of $119,224 is expected in operating transfers. There is a$1,535,929 increase in the budget. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked about the use of free cash. The Town Manager noted that he used the same number as last year. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony asked about the RMLD payments and whether those were calculated as payments in lieu of taxes or earnings distribution — electric. The Town Manager will check with the Town Accountant. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that the RMLD is stating that they give $3 million to the Town each year. The Town Manager noted that their pension fund, their cost of insurance, etc. are paid out of that money so it is not free cash. The Town Manager noted that the budget summary sheets show the FY `01 and FY `02 reductions along with potential FY `03 reductions to meet the 0% increase. The Town Manager also noted that the priority is not to reduce public safety. If the Library is level funded, they will loose their State aid. He noted that the development of the landfill is also a critical issue. He recommends an additional Building Inspector and Fire Inspector for the Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 8 2002—Page 4 project because current staff will not be able to handle the workload. He suggests funding this through the permit fees and setting up a revolving fund. A Special Town Meeting may be needed for this because the revolving fund cannot be set up until we have the money in hand. Selectman Matthew Cummings suggested hiring a service for this instead of hiring someone and then laying them off. The Town Manager noted that he is considering eliminating the Shoppers Assistance and Coordinator of Volunteers. The Town Manager indicated that he would like to see the road program implemented. The recommended cost of the program is $850,000 per year. He suggests a capital exclusion with a five year or 10 year plan. Chairman George Hines directed the Town Manager to put this on an agenda for discussion. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony indicated that she was concerned that the elimination of two officers in Public Safety would increase overtime. The Board will review budgets in detail on January 22°a and 24th. The Town Manager will let the Finance Committee, School Committee and School Building Committee know when the road program is on the agenda. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony indicated that she would like a discussion on the building maintenance budget and wants the Town Manager to let the Finance Committee and School '-- Committee know when it is on the agenda. Approval of Minutes A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to approve the minutes of their meeting of December 18, 2001 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to adjourn the meeting of January 8, 2002 at 10:20 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary },