HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-02-01 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
February 1, 2000
The meeting convened at 6:35 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor, Secretary George Hines,
Selectmen Camille Anthony and Matthew Cummings, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner,
Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Finance Committee Chairman Carol Grimm, School
Committee Chairman Peter Dahl, Fire Chief Don Wood, Paula Schena and the following list of
interested parties: Robert LeLacheur, Gerry MacDonald, Tim Twomey, Nathan White, Mary
Williams,Nancy Eaton.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Camille Anthony noted that she attended the site
plan review meeting for Dividence Road. Harry Harutunian wants to know if the Selectmen
want any further review and input than what will go before CPDC. She attended the MMA
Annual Trade Show and met Selectmen from other communities, and noted it would be nice to
meet with Selectmen from other towns. She also noted that the Town Manager made two
presentations at the Trade Show and he was a big hit.
Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation
Certificate of Appreciation — Judith O'Hare - On motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings,
the Board of Selectmen approved a Certificate of Appreciation for Judith O'Hare, honoree of the
Second Annual Cultural Recognition Award. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Certificate of Appreciation—Reverend Thomas Conway- On motion by Cummings seconded by
Anthony, the Board of Selectmen approved a Certificate of Appreciation for Reverend Thomas
Conway in celebration of his 40`h Anniversary in the Priesthood, Pastor of St. Anthanasius
Church, and realizing his goal and dream of building and dedication of the new St. Anthanasius
Parish Activities Center. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Certificate of Appreciation — Natalie Nordstand - On motion by Anthony seconded by
Cummings, the Board of Selectmen approved a Certificate of Appreciation forNatalie
Nordstrand for her outstanding achievements in art and dedicated service to the community. The
motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Discussion/Action Items
Discussion/Action Override —The Town Manager reviewed proposals A, B and C. They are all
two years worth of override for approximately$2.5 million.
Option A: Carol Grimm's Proposal—Includes reducing the School Department budget increase
to 8% above the FY 2000 budget; pass a $2.5 million override; and allow increases of FY 2002
budget for schools 6%, Town 3% and employee benefits 4%.
Option B: George Hines' Proposal — Includes a $2.5 million override; fully fund facilities; fund
the budget as requested; save plus or minus $500,000 in free cash from FY 2001 to FY 2002.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 1, 2000—Page 2
Option C: Matthew Cummings' Proposal — Includes reducing budgets by $400,000 for FY
2001; pass a $2.5 million override; constrain growth in budgets for FY 2002 to 3.5% for Town
and 5% for schools.
The Town Manager reviewed the advantages and disadvantages:
Option A — Lasts two years; reduction in services in 2001 slight and more in 2002; asking for
money and cutting services; FY 2002 budget is locked in place; allows surplus to be carried into
FY `03.
Option B —Will not last two years; will increase services by fully funding facilities maintenance;
doesn't fully address FY `02 shortfall; maintains FY `01 proposed budgets; creates a large
impact on the use of free cash in FY `03.
Option C — Will last two years; will create significant reduction in services for FY `01 and FY
`02; leaves surplus in FY `03. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that there are reductions
because his proposal only asks for$2.5 million.
The Town Manager reviewed actions that can be taken by the Town:
♦ Sell/lease the landfill
♦ Addison-Wesley redevelopment of site
♦ Development of Downtown—"CVS"parking lot
♦ Advocate SPED funding reform/cost sharing
♦ Evaluate sale of the RMLD
♦ Implement Pay-As-You-Throw for rubbish disposal
Selectman Camille Anthony asked what the difference would be if the school budget had a 6%
increase, and the Town Manager noted it was $260,000. Selectman Camille Anthony also noted
that she had a problem budgeting employee benefits at 4%.
Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor noted that he had concerns about budgeting employee benefits at
4% as well, and also noted that 4% is not foreseeable with rising health care. The Peat Marwick
Study needs to be fully implemented. He has concerns about asking for an override and not
fixing the budget. The Town side of the budget needs 4%, and he is not sure that 5% prevents
layoffs in the School Department. He suggested increasing benefits to 8% or 10%; fully fund the
Peat Marwick Study and build in an increase to allow the Town and schools to maintain services.
Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor asked what the difference would be for a 3.5% and 8% increase
for two years. The Town Manager noted that with the schools at 8% in FY `02 and the Town at
3.5%, it would be an additional $670,000.
Selectman Camille Anthony noted that $3.2 million was too high. She also noted that building
maintenance should be a separate line item.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 1, 2000—Page_3
Selectman George Hines noted that $3.2 million is too high. The Town Manager noted that
building maintenance could be phased in over two years — for $50,000 the first year and
$150,000 the second year. The schools could be restrained at 8% and capital can be cut.
Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that it was difficult to ask for$2.5 million and cut services
but if we don't cut, then we will have to cut $1.9 million. He wants Option C. He noted that
$2.5 million is $700,000-$800,000 short of what will be needed next year.
School Committee Chairman Peter Dahl noted that Options A, B and C are identical in dollar
amount. Town Meeting will make decisions on what it will be spent on.
Selectman George Hines noted that residents are telling us we need to improve building
maintenance. The Town paid to have a study done and the residents want it implemented.
On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a
Proposition 2 %2 override in the amount of$2,500,000 for the purposes of municipal, school and
capital expenses. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-1-0, with Cummings opposed.
Selectman George Hines left the meeting.
Close Warrant—Annual Town Meeting—The Town Manager reviewed the Warrant Articles for
the Annual Town Meeting.
Selectman Camille Anthony had concerns regarding Article 11 which is for the Saugus River
drainage design. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that this project is now $1.6 million and
it was previously$700,000. The Town Manager noted that$700,000 is for the Saugus River and
the remainder is for the Aberjona River. This project has been put off and he needs the authority
to do the design work. The situation is not getting better.
Selectman Matthew Cummings asked if the Article could be clearer and state that it is for the
design, not for construction. He also asked if the Town would be selling debt for$75,000 for the
design, and the Town Manager indicated that we would. The Town Manager also noted that the
design work for the Police Station was bonded. Selectman Matthew Cummings indicated that he
has a problem with selling debt, and asked if something would be taken out of the capital plan in
its place.
Selectman Matthew Cummings moved and Selectman Camille Anthony seconded, to strike
Article 11 from the Warrant. Town Meeting Member Nancy Eaton suggested that this Article be
put on the Warrant, and let Town Meeting decide on whether it should be done. Selectman
Matthew Cummings withdrew the motion.
On motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to change the
wording of Article 11 from constructing to designing. The motion was approved by a vote of
3-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 1, 2000—Page 4
On motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen voted to close the
Warrant consisting of 20 Articles for the Annual Town Meeting to be held on April 24, 2000.
The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen voted to close the
Warrant for the Presidential Primary Election to be held on March 7, 2000 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00
p.m. at the Hawkes Field House. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
On motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to close the
Warrant for the Local Election to be held on March 7, 2000 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the
Hawkes Field House. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Review — Audit Management Letter - The Town Manager reviewed the responses to the audit
letter. He noted that the Town Accountant is working on new accounting standards. Y2K
passed without any problems. Regarding facility rentals, the School Committee will discuss the
charges; lease agreements are being done and rental rates will be reviewed annually. In the
building maintenance department, cash collection will be segregated from recording activities.
Town Counsel will review the statement of terms and conditions.
Public Hearing - Ambulance Rates - Selectman Camille Anthony read the hearing notice. The
Town Manager noted that the Town modifies ambulance rates every year to year and one half.
The Town tags itself to Medicare rates. Selectman Camille Anthony asked for an analysis of the
cost of one ambulance trip.
Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that the Town is losing money if the rates are not reviewed
every year. Fire Chief Donald Wood noted that we need to know the cost before setting the rate.
He also noted that Medicare sometimes increases twice during the year.
Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor suggested tying the rate to the Medicare rate and reviewing the
costs annually. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked for the costs including the depreciation on
equipment.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked the Fire Chief about the optical imaging fundraising. Chief
Wood noted that a local bank is conducting a fundraiser for the purchase of optical imaging
equipment for search and rescue, and about 20% of the cost has been raised.
On motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to close the
public hearing on ambulance rates. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
On motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve
ambulance rates that will be no less than the Medicare allowed rates for ambulance services with
an annual review of costs. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 1, 2000—Page 5
Fire Service Awards — Fire Chief Donald Wood noted that the Department of Fire Services has
created an award to recognize and honor Massachusetts firefighters for length of service. He has
nominated 14 firefighters who have achieved 20 years or more of service to the community. Fire
Chief Donald Wood presented the firefighters with their pins, and the Board of Selectmen
congratulated them.
Discuss Regional Meetings—This will be rescheduled.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the
minutes of their meeting of November 23, 1999, as amended. The motion was approved by a
vote of 3-0-0.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the
minutes of their meeting of December 7, 1999. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
The minutes of December 14, 1999 were tabled.
On motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the
minutes of their meeting of December 21, 1999. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the
minutes of their meeting of January 4, 2000. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
The minutes of January 12, 2000 were tabled.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the
minutes of their meeting of January 18, 2000, as amended. The motion was approved by a vote
of 3-0-0.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjburn their
meeting of February 1, 2000 at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted.,
Secretary`