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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-01-30 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting January 30,2001 The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Matthew Nestor, Vice Chairman George Hines, Secretary Camille Anthony, Selectman Matthew Cummings, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Nathan White, Gerry MacDonald, Nancy Eaton, Kim Honetschlager, Fire Chief Jack Mooney, Town Counsel H Theodore Cohen, Paul Kelley. A motion by Hines seconded by Cummings to go into Executive Session for the purpose of labor negotiations and approval of minutes to come back into Open Session at approximately 8:00 p.m. was approved by a roll call vote by all four members, and the Board went into Executive Session. The Board came back into Open Session at 8:10 p.m. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Vice Chairman George Hines noted that he and his wife joined the YMCA. Chairman Matthew Nestor had no report. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she attended a meeting regarding containment structures on I-93. She directed the Town Manager to send a letter from the Selectmen to the School Committee requesting that school not be in session on major election days. Vice Chairman George Hines indicated that we could compromise with a late start. Public Comment—There was no public comment. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ I have submitted an application to the Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation under their Waste to Energy Grant Program for reimbursement for some of the Town of Reading's costs for retro-fitting the RESCO plant in Saugus. This is a joint application with 6 other communities. The DPW Director developed this proposal with a local attorney who is doing the application on a contingency basis. If successful, the Town of Reading will receive approximately $243,000, minus the cost of the application. The grant would be paid as follows: • FY 2001 —50% less contingency- $97,500 ---t • FY 2002—25% - $60,750 • FY 2003 —25% - $60,750 Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 30, 2001 —Page 2 ♦ MMA Consulting Group will be in Reading on February 7th to get public input into the qualities the community is looking for in a new Police Chief. They will be meeting with community leaders, by appointment, and we will have an evening public input session at 7:00 p.m. This is in preparation to MMA Consulting Group developing the Assessment Center which is the cornerstone of the selection process. ♦ We are evaluating our short and long-term options for providing Advanced Life Support service to the residents of Reading, and will have a short-term decision in place shortly so that there is no loss of coverage to the Town. We will come before the Board of Selectmen in the next couple of months with options for long-term ALS service. ♦ Reading's newest fire truck should be delivered within the next week. ♦ A presentation is scheduled for early February to the Board of Selectmen on the Water Hydraulic Study -- a review of the water storage and distribution system and what is needed to maintain and improve the system. ♦ We are getting ready to bid rubbish collection and recycling for a new multi-year contract. ♦ DPW Engineering staff is holding a public hearing tomorrow night, Wednesday, January 31, on the improvements to Summer Avenue from Woburn to West Street. The hearing will be at the Senior Center, 49 Pleasant Street, at 7:00 p.m. ♦ I have had rumors relayed to me that Home Depot is closing facilities in the Boston Area and across the country. I have checked with Dickinson Development and there are no known closings --people may have it confused with Office Depot which has announced a number of closings in the Boston Area and nationwide. Discussion/Action Items Bade Pinning—Jack Mooney—The Town Manager noted that Fire Chief Don Wood retired one week ago. The Board of Selectmen confirmed Jack Mooney's appointment last week. Jack Mooney was present and introduced his family. His wife pinned the badge on him, and the Board of Selectmen congratulated him. Review Status of Litigation — Town Counsel Ted Cohen was present to discuss Video Expo. Chairman Matthew Nestor noted that the Judge found only a small area of Town where Video Expo could operate under the Bylaw. Town Counsel noted that there are constitutional issues of free speech. Chairman Matthew Nestor asked if the bylaw could be thrown out altogether if it goes to court, and Town Counsel noted that it could. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of litigation to return at approximately 9:20 p.m. was approved by a roll call vote by all four members and the Board went into Executive Session. The Board resumed in Open Session at 9:25 p.m. Discussion — Human Relations Commission — The Town Manager noted that he copied the motion made by petition Article at Town Meeting to the Board. The Board needs to discuss whether to put on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, or to take other action. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 30, 2001 —Page 3 Paul Kelley, Chairman of DASC, was present. He noted that several amendments were made at Town Meeting to Article 9, and Gail Wood moved that the Board of Selectmen create an Advisory Board. He believes that a bylaw is the best way to go. Chairman Matthew Nestor noted that it is unusual to create a bylaw to create a commission. Paul Kelley noted that if it was a bylaw,people would know where to get information. Vice Chairman George Hines asked if he had any objection to it being created under the Board of Selectmen. Paul Kelley indicated he did not-- he wants to see it move forward. A motion by Hines seconded by Cummings to direct the Town Manager to form a policy following the recommendations of Town Meeting was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Review Draft Warrant — Annual Town Meeting — The Town Manager reviewed the outline for the Warrant, and noted that it closes on February 27, 2001. Article 5 amends the organizational chart. The Town Manager noted that Community Development and Human Services have been combined. This would also be a way to deal with the building maintenance issue. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he prefers not to deal with the organizational chart at this time. He also indicated that the building maintenance issues need to be dealt with. Vice Chairman George Hines asked if the Community Development and Human Services employees are behind this. The Assistant Town Manager noted that they are but he still needs to talk to the Boards, Committees and Commissions. The Town Manager suggested putting this issue on the Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that building maintenance should be an agenda item, and discussion should be strictly with the School Committee. Vice Chairman George Hines agreed. Article 6 is disposing of equipment. Article 7 is to amend the current Capital Improvements Plan. The Town Manager noted that there are a couple of water issues. Article 8 is to amend the current budget. Article 9 is to approve the FY 2002—FY 2011 Capital Improvements Program. The Town Manager asked if there was a sense to move ahead with the design for the Reading Memorial High School. The Town Manager noted that the CIP has money for the High School and Killam School in FY 2003. Vice Chairman George Hines noted that the High School is a significant project that deserves front and center dialogue. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 30, 2001 —Page 4 The Town Manager will write to the School Building Committee asking for a timetable and an indication of a capital override, authorized debt, or wait until Fall. Article 11A would delegate authority for setting fees to the Board of Selectmen. The Town Manager noted that there was a memo from the Town Clerk regarding increasing fees. This will be put on an agenda and noticed as a hearing. The Town Manager noted that the Police Chief does not recommend Article E regarding regulating the use of recreational vehicles. This Article will be taken off the Warrant. The Town Manager noted that Article C deals with the age of Police and Fire Fighters. Both Chiefs recommend adopting. The Board of Selectmen would not recommend this Article so it will be taken off. Article B was requested by a resident who wants special zoning for tattoo parlors. The Assistant Town Manager noted that the Board of Health will be voting on the regulations very soon. Chairman Matthew Nestor asked if we can regulate location. The Town Manager will do research. Article F is relative to aid to the elderly and disabled taxation fund. Chairman Matthew Nestor asked about administrative costs, and the Town Manager noted that a separate lock box would be needed. Vice Chairman George Hines asked if the costs could be offset by donations. The Town Manager will get the cost for the lock box and find out if the cost can be passed on. Article 13 is relative to the affordable housing revolving fund. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that this Article needs more discussion at the next meeting. Approval of Community Preservation Act Study Committee—The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen had a roundtable regarding the Community Preservation Act. The sense of that meeting was to set up a committee. The Town Manager reviewed the proposed policy. Vice Chairman George Hines noted that the study committee should look at the pros and cons of adopting the Community Preservation Act. The Town Manager noted that they also have to look at the cost of implementing the plan. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked if a staff person would be delegated to this committee. The Town Manager noted that one main staff person will be designated but a lot of staff will be involved. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he was concerned that the staff person doesn't have a vested interest. The Town Manager noted that it would be either himself, the Assistant Town Manager or the Town Planner.' A motion by Hines seconded by Anthony to direct the Town Manager to schedule a hearing establishing the Community Preservation Act policy was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 30, 2001 —Page 5 Budget—The Town Manager noted that $912,000 needs to be cut with an override. $2.1 million needs to be cut if there is no override. The Town Manager noted that COLA will be reduced by $45,000. A Clerk from Accounting will be transferred to the Finance Department. There is a savings in the Community Development salaries, an increase in conservation fees and an increase in planning fees. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that the budget should reflect the known cost of salaries and the savings should come out of the base. He also noted that he is not favor of increasing fees to balance the budget. The Assistant Town Manager noted that we are just trying to recover the cost of providing services such as plan review, regulation review. Selectman Camille Anthony felt as though those are adequate reasons, and she has no problem increasing liquor license fees. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked why we didn't just take the total costs of each department and divide it by fees. The Assistant Town Manager noted that is not possible because there is a lot that is not directly related to anything. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she wants discussion regarding reducing a Fire Fighter. She thinks we should cut the Assistant Fire Chief's position instead of a Fire Fighter because - reducing a Fire Fighter will increase overtime. She asked how the Assessor's and Collector's Offices will function if they cut .7 person. The Board decided to clear their next meeting,just for budget. Approval of Minutes A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to approve the minutes of their meeting of January 17, 2001 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings to adjourn their meeting of January 30, 2001 at 11:07 p.m. was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Respectfully submitted, ,- Secretary ` a