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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-01-15 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting January 15, 2002 The meeting convened at 7:10 p.m. in the RCTV Studio, 224 Ash Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Matthew Cummings, Selectman Rick Schubert, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and Nadine Wandzilak from the Advocate. Personnel & Appointments Conservation Commission - The Town Manager informed the Board of Selectmen that the previously appointed member to the Conservation Commission has declined the appointment. His letter indicating his withdrawal was attached to the Selectmen's packet. Based on this withdrawal, a motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to appoint Dan Thibeault to the Conservation Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2002 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Selectman Gail Wood joined the Forum at 7:15 p.m. Discussion/Action Items Reading Municipal Light Department - Chairman George Hines suggested that given the RMLD's position on the audit and the General Manager's comments chastising the public of the Town of Reading, he thought perhaps we should ask the RMLD Members on the Task Force to leave the Task Force. The Selectmen had a great deal of discussion on whether or not to pursue this matter. Chairman George Hines noted that the CAB should be asked to modify the agreement so that the audit can be paid for by the RMLD. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that the CAB will not recommend that if the rate payers have to pay for two audits. Chairman George Hines also suggested asking the Board of Selectmen from Lynnfield, North Reading and Wilmington to a joint meeting to discuss the matter, and to invite the CAB also. The Board directed the Town Manager to ask Town Counsel what statute it is that requires the Light Department to do their own audit. At 7:30 p.m., the Board of Selectmen adjourned the meeting to begin the Selectmen's Forum. The Board of Selectmen came back into Open Session. Chairman George Hines noted that the cooperation of the Light Board was needed in order to get the audit done and paid for. Now that they have decided that they are not going to pay for the audit, perhaps the Light Board Members should not be on the Task Force. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that there were three issues that were important in having the Light Board membership on the Task Force: these included paying for the audit (they are not paying for it), getting working cooperation (they are cooperating), and they are a separately elected body(they are still a separately elected body). Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 15, 2002—Page 2 The consensus of the Board of Selectmen was not to remove the Reading Municipal Light Board Members from the Task Force. The Town Manager was directed to set up a meeting of the four Boards of Selectmen and the Citizen's Advisory Board to discuss this matter further. On motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their meeting of January 15, 2002 at 9:38 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary °"