Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-05-21 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting May 21, 2002 The meeting convened at 7:35 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, Personnel Administrator Carol Roberts, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Police Chief Bob Silva, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Jack Ghazi, Bobbi Botticelli. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Gail Wood noted that the Solid Waste Advisory Committee is suggesting that Town Meeting discuss fees for trash. The Board of Health notified her that the State will not be giving free flu vaccines this year so the flu shots will be going up in price. The Water and Sewer Advisory Committee discussed last year's report card and indicated that this year's report card will have excellent marks. Selectman Richard Schubert offered congratulations to the Coolidge Science Olympiad team who came in 121h place. He noted that the School Building Committee is meeting this evening, and he suggested that the Board of Selectmen designate a liaison to the School Building Committee. A motion by Anthony seconded by Wood to designate Richard Schubert as the Selectmen's liaison to the School Building Committee was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony asked if the Board of Selectmen was interested in establishing a long range planning commission to look at the five year plan. She noted that we should start on the FY 2004 Budget now and look at different ways of structuring the budget next year. This will be put on a future agenda, and the Finance Committee and the School Committee will be invited to attend. She also noted that she attended the Volunteer Recognition Reception. She noted that Beverly and Lynn are selling water from the Ipswich River to other communities and Reading is the one that gets the bad rap. She also noted that the containment grant is due. Public Comment—There was no public comment. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ The RMLD Oversight Task Force met on May 16th and the consensus was to continue the Task Force. ♦ The last free curbside "Bulk Waste" pickup was last week. A number of residents did not realize that we would not pick up TV's and computer monitors. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts considers these items as hazardous waste, and we have a separate program to pick them up curbside or residents can take them to the DPW Garage. There is a fee for either option. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 21, 2002 —Page 2 ♦ The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program on Saturday was a huge success. We had a couple of complaints that we closed it too soon but we accepted waste until 1:00 p.m. We have tried to address the individual complaints. We served 878 residents in four hours, 628 from Reading and 250 from Stoneham. Residents are to be complimented on their commitment to responsibly disposing of hazardous materials. ♦ We are receiving a lot of complaints about the hours of the Compost Center -- mostly that the hours are reduced. We are working to have the Center open Mondays in June, July and August in addition to the posted hours, depending on our ability to get Senior Tax workers. ♦ The sidewalk on Franklin Street at Haverhill has been completed, and was a model project of cooperation between the Town and the abutters. ♦ The island has been installed at Franklin and Grove Streets, and is the 90th island to be adopted under the Adopt-an-Island Program. ♦ The House-to-House Sewer I/I Inspection Program is going well -- the Board of Selectmen has a report from the Town Engineer on the progress to date. To residents who have not allowed access, let me remind you that the inspectors are not looking for or reporting building code violations, tax assessment issues (where building may have been done without a permit) etc. We are looking only for issues related to the sewer system, and how we may be able to assist homeowners in dealing with sump pump or other issues correctly. That being said, homeowners need to be aware that if they have done building without a permit, it is a violation of State law and, more importantly, you may not be able to refinance your house or sell it without proof of the issuance of a building permit. ♦ The Massachusetts House Budget to date looks positive for the Town. If approved as proposed, the budget as adopted by Reading will be adequately funded in terms of State aid. ♦ The State has passed into law an Early Retirement Incentive Bill for local government. We will be evaluating the law as it was passed, and will have discussion with employees and a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen as soon as we can. ♦ The Town has received formal notice of a second hearing on June 4, 2002 at the Stoneham High School on the possible improvement of the intersection of I-95 (Route 128) and I-93. The room will be opened at 5:00 p.m. for people to look at the options, and the formal presentation will start at 7:00 p.m. Discussion/Action Items Review RMLD Study Options — Chairman George Hines noted that the majority of the RMLD Oversight Task Force voted to keep the Task Force in place as a tool for communication. Selectman Gail Wood noted that she had a problem with the Task Force staying because it was set up as an emergency measure -- it was not set up as a communication device. Chairman George Hines noted that his initial thought was to take the Melanson Heath report as final and if the Selectmen preferred, we could send a letter disbanding the Task Force. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that we need to have the recommended changes put in place by a certain date. -- Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 21, 2002—Page 3 Selectman Richard Schubert noted that it makes sense to have the Task Force continue until the issues are resolved. He also noted that a working relationship has been established and it is a valuable opportunity for communication. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that the Task Force cannot effectuate a change -- they can only communicate. He feels that the Task Force should be resolved and give a final report with expectations for the RMLD. Chairman George Hines noted that the Task Force's business should be concluded in one or two more meetings. The Town Manager noted that in the Selectmen's packet is a draft policy to establish an"Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on the Governance of the RMLD." He also noted the purpose of the Committee would be to review and understand the structure, review and understand the laws and regulations, review the existing models of governance and develop one or more options for future governance. The Town Manager reviewed the two options for the structure of the committee. The consensus of the Board was to go with Option B. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to waive the policy and post the positions current with the hearing was approved by a vote of 4-0-1, with Cummings opposed. The Town Manager was instructed to post the positions and schedule a hearing on the adoption of the policy. Presentation — Pay/Classification Study for Non-Union Employ — Personnel Administrator Carol Roberts reviewed the process of the study. The recommended changes are to remove the Clerk/Receptionist, Substitute Van Drive, Public Safety Mechanic and Shopping Assistance Coordinator from the plan because the positions no longer exist. She is also recommending changing the job titles of six positions. She noted that the results of the survey indicate that 14 positions need a grade change and this affects 28 employees. If a position needs to go up two grades, it would be done over two years. If a position goes up one grade and back one step leaves them on step one, then the employee will move %2 step in six months and another %2 step after six more months. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked if the structural increases are due to recruitment problems. The Town Manager indicated that the purpose is to make sure the Town is paying what they should be paying. The Town Manager noted that the cost of the recommendations for FY `03 would be $23,721 and $6,382 for FY `04. The cost is not included in the Budget. He also noted that due to budget constraints, the decision was made to address the proposed changes in grades at a later date. Hearing — Amendiniz Personnel Policies — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Personnel Administrator Carol Roberts noted that a committee of nine employees was formed to review the Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 21, 2002—Page 4 Personnel Policies. The committee reviewed the policies line by line, the changes then went back to the departments, and then Labor Counsel reviews the changes. She also noted that there were very minor changes to the policies. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to close the hearing on amending the Personnel Policies was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to approve the amended Personnel Policies as presented on May 21, 2002 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing — Amending Compensation Plan for FY 2003 — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the Compensation Plan is the same structure as last year. The overall plan increases by 2%. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony indicated that there is nobody in Grade 1 or Grade 2 and suggested eliminating them. A motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings to close the hearing on amending the Compensation Plan for FY 2003 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert that the Schedule A-1 of the Classification Plan shift Grade 1 to Grade 3 as of FY 2005 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to approve the Compensation Plan for FY 2003 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Presentation — Advanced Life Support — by Fire Chief- Fire Chief Greg Burns noted that the purpose of the proposal is to change the hiring practice, increase the level of care and prevent an interruption in the current quality of care in Reading. Chief Burns described the difference between basic life support and advanced life support. He also noted that the Reading Fire Department is currently licensed by the State to provide basic life support services. He noted that the average response time is three minutes and six seconds and if the patient requires advanced life support, then a paramedic unit from Action Ambulance is requested to respond and that adds an additional seven minutes. Chief Burns reviewed the history of advanced life support, and is proposing to increase the level of service offered by the Fire Department to ALS. He noted that the Town received $52,000 in 2000 from the ALS provider. He also noted that we are the first responders and if we upgrade to advanced life support, we won't get more calls -- we'll just give better care. He noted that he applied for a grant and it would require a match of 10% from the community which equals $18,000. The Town Manager noted that due to the change in Medicare billing in 2006, the ALS will get $39,992 less. ............. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 21, 2002 —Page 5 Vice Chairman Camille Anthony asked if the BLS rates are being reduced, and Chief Burns indicated the BLS is increasing 16%. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if we didn't change, if the difference in money could be negotiated with another provider. Chief Burns indicated that we could but he doubts it would happen because it is a geographical and resource issue. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if this will impact salaries, and Chief Burns indicated that it would but would be offset by revenues. Chief Burns is recommending that the four vacancies from retiring personnel in 2003 be filled with paramedics to save training money, and then train existing personnel who desire to increase their skills. Selectman Gail Wood indicated that the financials need to be clearer -- she would like to see the increase in pay, overtime, medication and the cost and benefits. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony indicated that she would like to see the cash flow breakdown on the impact of salaries. She also requested what we are billing Medicare and what we are getting back. Selectman Matthew Cummings indicated that he would like to see the projections on the capital - costs with ongoing replacement. Continued Hearing — 1337 Main Street Gasoline Storage License — Revocation — The Town Manager noted that this hearing was continued from two weeks ago to give the property owner a chance to do everything. He also noted that the taxes and fees were paid, some landscaping had been done, there are still some materials on site and the Building Inspector has not been out there yet. The Town Manager noted that there has been tremendous progress and he recommends continuing for two more weeks. Jack Ghazi noted that a lot of work has been done and he wants the Board of Selectmen to put an end to this. The Town Manager noted that the outstanding issues are: landscaping, the water meter will be set tomorrow, there is still trash on the site, tires, broken fence post, etc. Mr. Ghazi noted that the landscaping will be ongoing. Bobbi Botticelli, co-owner of the Colonial Manor, was present. She asked what Mr. Ghazi's intentions were of keeping up the property. She noted that she has to pay someone to cut his weeds. Chairman George Hines asked if Mr. Ghazi will be operating the bays. Mr. Ghazi noted that __......... they will only be selling gas for the first few months, and the landscaping will be maintained constantly. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May21, 2002—Page 6 A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to continue the hearing until 10:00 p.m. on June 4, 2002 or its next scheduled meeting was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Cummings opposed. Follow Up on D.A.R.E. — Police Chief Bob Silva indicated that to continue the D.A.R.E. Program, he will modify the DARE Officer's schedule to teach for two days, prepare for one day and a uniform schedule two days per week. The DARE Officer will work a uniform schedule full time during the Summer. He noted that this schedule was okay with the current DARE Officer and the Superintendent of Schools. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he asked for information but he didn't get it. Chief Silva noted that when DARE was originally started, there were 41 Officers and now there are only 38. He needs to reduce the DARE Program to run the Department. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that Town Meeting didn't have a chance to discuss this. He feels that reducing this opens up the whole budget. He wants the cost to run the program vis- a-vis the overtime paid out including the Safety Officer and Community Service Officer. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the Police Chief can't run the Department cost effectively. She has no problem endorsing his plan. Selectman Gail Wood agreed with Vice Chairman Camille Anthony. The Board directed the Police Chief to get the information that Selectman Matthew Cummings is asking for and this will be put on the next agenda. Set Town Manager's Salary for FY 2003 —The Town Manager noted that the Board needs to set his salary for FY `03. The amount budgeted for FY `03 if $101,960 which represents a 2% increase. A motion by Anthony seconded by Wood to set the Town Manager's salary at $101,960 for FY 2003 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to adjourn their meeting of May 21, 2002 at 11:00 p.m. was.approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Resp ctfully subin,, e , A Secretary