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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-10-10 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting October 10, 2000 The meeting convened at 7:37 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman George Hines, Secretary Camille Anthony, Selectmen Sally Hoyt and Matthew Cummings, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Fire Chief Don Wood, Assistant Fire Chief Jack Mooney, Police Chief Edward Marchand, Personnel Administrator Carol Roberts, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Robert Cormio, Gerry MacDonald, Nathan White, Nancy Stortz and Virginia Ryan. Personnel and Appointments Last Night 2000 Adhoc Committee — Nancy Stortz and Virginia Ryan were interviewed by the Board of Selectmen for two positions on the Last Night 2000 Adhoc Committee. On motion by Cummings seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name into nomination for one position on the Last Night 2000 Adhoc Committee with a term expiring March 31, 2001: Nancy Stortz. Ms. Stortz received four votes and was appointed. On motion by Cummings seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name into nomination for one position on the Last Night 2000 Adhoc Committee with a term expiring March 31, 2001: Virginia Ryan. Ms. Ryan received four votes and was appointed. -- Discussion/Action Items Cormio — Linnea Lane — Bob Cormio from 37 Linnea Lane was present. The Town Manager noted that Mr. Cormio purchased a piece of Town property. The RFP stated that the purchaser would have to pay all Town costs associated with the purchase of this property. Town Counsel spent 2.9 hours on this transaction which equals $304.00 Mr. Cormio is asking the Town to waive the fee. Mr. Cormio noted that he wasn't aware that he would have to pay the Town Counsel fee. He noted that the title was not clear, and he had to have the surveyors come back twice and that was an added expense. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that the Town got $2,000 more than expected and suggested waiving the fee. Cummings moved and Anthony seconded to waive the Town Counsel fees in the amount of $304.50 for the purchase of Lot 19A consisting of 3,145 square feet of property on Linnea Lane. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Report — Reading Business Park — The Assistant Town Manager updated the Board on the - Business Park. He noted that the cinema component will not happen because two major cinemas have filed Chapter 11 but Dickinson will be coming back with something else. October 18, 2000 is the end date of the Due Diligence. Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 10, 2000—Page 2 Report of Water Supply—The Assistant Town Manager noted that he is working on the MWRA piece. The first draft of the MWRA application has been sent to MWRA for review. The Town will have to file an Environmental Impact Report. Weston & Sampson is working on the storage issue. DPW has completed a draft RFP for bedrock wells. Selectman Sally Hoyt asked when we would connect to the MWRA. The Town Manager noted that it is in the Capital Plan for 2003, and also noted that construction is not a problem because we are already connected. Review of Goals —The Town Manager reviewed the FY 2001 Goals and their format. The eight goals include: Economic development; Boards, Committees and Commissions working relationships; financial strategy; traffic program; water supply policy; violence prevention; diversity and affordable housing. Selectman Camille Anthony suggested addressing the goals when Boards, Committees and Commissions come in. Selectman George Hines suggested tying agenda items to goals, and have staff make a report when progress has been made. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he thought the format was fine. He suggested having the Boards, Committees and Commissions come in for a round table discussion, and requested a copy of all agendas of Boards, Committees and Commission meetings. Selectman George Hines suggested to List/Copy the agendas under correspondence without the backup. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he would like to meet with the Boards, Committees and Commissions in a "Housing Forum" format regarding the Reading Business Park. He also suggested tying the disposition of land together with the Housing Authority. Selectman George Hines noted that the meetings with the Boards, Committees and Commissions can be regarding specific issues or for identification of issues. The Town Manager noted that there will be training in November on conflict of interest, and suggested having a tool for evaluating the Boards, Committees and Commissions. He also suggested having an evaluation form on the back of agendas for residents to evaluate and then leave in a drop box. The evaluation would be shared with the Board of Selectmen and the Board, Committee or Commission being evaluated. The Selectmen will get back to the Town Manager within one week with any changes, and then the Town Manager will send it out to the Boards, Committees and Commissions. Board of Selectmen Meeting;—October 10, 2000—Page 3 Review Process of Hiring Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief— Personnel Administrator Carol Roberts, Fire Chief Don Wood and Assistant Fire Chief Jack Mooney were present. Personnel Administrator Carol Roberts noted that the Fire Chief position will be advertised in November. The resumes will be reviewed and applications with an essay will be sent out. There will be a meeting for public input and an Assessment Center. The Assistant Fire Chief will be appointed as Fire Chief for two months. There are two different schedules for hiring of the Assistant Fire Chief depending on whether the new Fire Chief is an internal or external candidate. Hiring of the Assistant Fire Chief will include essays and interviews. The Board made no changes to the hiring process. Re-Review of Police Chief Hiring Process—Police Chief Edward Marchand was present. The Assistant Town Manager noted that having the written exam as part of the Assessment Center will speed up the process. Authority is needed from Civil Service to do an Assessment Center, and a consultant has to be hired to design the Assessment Center. Civil Service sits in on the Assessment Center. An Acting Police Chief will receive extra points. The Town Manager noted that a consultant would cost $2,000 - $2,500 per participant. The Town Manager noted that the Town can just interview; have an exam, Assessment Center and interview; have just an Assessment Center or just an exam and interview. He also noted that the concern is with time and an Acting Police Chief gets more credit. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked if we can require essay questions, and the Town Manager noted that we cannot but we can make it part of a writing assignment in the Assessment Center. If we do an exam, it has to be done first—in May, and then we would not get the results until the Fall. Selectman Sally Hoyt asked if Civil Service is involved in our decision. The Town Manager noted that they have to approve. If we don't hire the top ranked, then we have to explain why. Selectman Matthew Cummings suggested appointing an Acting Police Chief, do the exam and interview process. The Town Manager noted he preferred the Assessment Center, and he will get more information on what can be included in the interview. Police Chief Edward Marchand noted that he didn't like to see an Acting Police Chief, and he defends Civil Service. He has never had a problem with them, and the rules are there for a reason. Selectman George Hines suggested using four terms of Acting Police Chief, and the Town Manager noted that there would be a loss of continuity if we did that. Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 10, 2000—Page 4 The Board of Selectmen directed the Town Manager to put this item on the next agenda for a decision. On motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their meeting of October 10, 2000. All four members present voted in the affirmative and the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 664X- Secretary-