HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-11-09 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
November 9, 2000
The meeting convened at 7:33 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, Town Planner Anne Krieg,
Conservation Administrator Karen Mullins, Health Administrator Jane Fiore, Elder Services
Administrator Lois Bond, Library Director Kimberly Lynn, Fire Chief Don Wood, Paula Schena
and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, William Grisit Jr., Ken Tucci, Linda
Phillips, Jackie Mandell, Attorney Mark Favalaro, David Lee.
Discussion/Action Items
Review Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant — The Town Manager noted that Article 11 is
acceptance of Sunset Rock. Hearings have been held and the concerns from the abutters were
use of the way for access to the school site. The road is completed and should have been
accepted last April.
Attorney Mark Favalaro was present to represent the Sunset Rock abutters. He noted that the
roadway is incomplete and asked what would happen now that the bond has been seized.
The Town Manager noted that all construction is done except for one wall on private property.
The trees will be planted in the Spring because grading work still needs to be done.
Attorney Mark Favalaro noted that the road is being used as an access road to the new school,
and that a school on a cul-de-sac is contrary to any other traffic pattern in Town. He also noted
that the abutters are not anti-school but the concerns are for safety.
Vice Chairman George Hines asked if the developer wants to keep the private way. The Town
Manager noted that it was up to Town Meeting. He would be the only developer in the State to
own and maintain a roadway when he has no interest in it.
Vice Chairman George Hines asked if the road was built to Town standards, and the Town
Manager noted that it was.
On motion by Cummings seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to support the
subject matter of Article 11 on the November 13, 2000, Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant.
The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
The Town Manager noted that Article 4 is amendments to the current year's budget. The
amendments that are known at this time are Technology expenses of$6,500, Legal expenses of
$10,000 for Special Counsel, Health salaries in the amount of $2,500 due to a grant cut back,
transfer of$5,324 from Elder Services expenses to salaries, transfer of$33,000 from Fire salaries
to Public Works salaries, internal transfer of $2500 for Cemetery expenses, Building
Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 9, 2000—Page_2
Maintenance $40,000 for energy costs, School Special Counsel in the amount of$53,000, group
health/life insurance $65,000, medicare/social security$50,000 and worker's comp $30,000.
Chairman Matthew Nestor asked if the $40,000 for Building Maintenance was for energy costs,
and the Town Manager noted that it was for Town buildings, mainly the new Police Station.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to support the subject
matter of Article 4 on the November 13, 2000, Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant. The motion
was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
The Town Manager noted that Article 5 will increase the fees for dog licenses. This will
increase revenues by$8,700.
On motion by Hines seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen voted to support the
subject matter of Article 5 on the November 13, 2000, Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant. The
motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
The Town Manager noted that Article 6 authorizes debt for Chapter 90.
On motion by Cummings seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to support the
subject matter of Article 5 on the November 13, 2000, Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant. The
motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Review FY 2002 Budget — The Assistant Town Manager noted that the budget includes an
increase in trash collection contract, increase in employee benefits, increase in debt service,
$800,000 in capital appropriations, increase in fuel, 2% step increase, a modest COLA and
current union contract requirements.
Chairman Matthew Nestor asked what percentage of employees receive a step increase. The
Town Manager will get that information.
Community Development - Conservation Administrator Karen Mullins was present. She noted
that her responsibilities include customer service, educational outreach, writing grants,
regulatory issues, tracking permits, enforcement of activities and work on the open space plan.
She would like to do more land management and educational work but clerical activities take
precedent. She is requesting a Conservation Assistant.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked what she does for maintenance. Karen Mullins noted that
maintenance is done mostly by Eagle Scouts or Girl Scouts, and DPW will help out if needed.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked if she would consider trying an intern for a Conservation
Assistant. Karen Mullins noted that she had an intern for two weeks but she never returned— it
was an unpaid position.
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Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 9, 2000—Page 3
Vice Chairman George Hines asked Karen Mullins what meetings she attends, and she noted that
she attends the Conservation Commission Meetings, Open Space Planning Meetings and some of
the site visits.
Town Planner Anne Krieg was present. She noted that she works with the Community Planning
and Development Commission, she writes zoning amendments, she does a lot of counter work,
phone calls regarding permits, construction management, she is a member of the Development
Review Team, she works with the Historical Commission and the Demolition Delay Bylaw, she
deals with comprehensive permits, special zoning issues, and she is a member of the Economic
Development Task Force and a member of the Parking, Traffic and Transportation Task Force.
She pursues grants to try to fund projects on the Capital Improvements Program, specifically the
old Police Station. She does a lot of work on the landfill project. She is asking for a Permits
Coordinator to be the point person to go over all necessary permits—one stop permitting.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked how the zoning work gets done since the loss of the Zoning
Officer. Anne Krieg noted that they have a complaint register on.a tally sheet. The Building
Inspector spends one day a week on it.
Chairman Matthew Nestor asked if the Board could get a copy of the list of zoning complaints.
Human Services - Health Administrator Jane Fiore was present. She noted that the mission
statement of the Health Division is to protect the health and well being of the community. She
noted that the licensing responsibility is great. All places that are licensed have to be inspected
three times a year. She noted that Reading has not had a serious food borne illness in four years.
Housing complaints have increased 24%. She does indoor air quality testing, and would like to
do more health prevention. The Health Division also does workshops, health fairs, violence
prevention conferences and blood pressure clinics. She also does a communicable disease
control report and tracking. Reading had 59 cases of whooping cough last year and it was
contained in 2 %months.
Jane Fiore noted that the Sealer of Weights and Measures' weights for the pharmacy have just
been condemned because they are 25 years old. The proofers that are used for testing gas
stations are 45 years old and have been condemned — we are borrowing Wakefield's because it
costs $2,000 to replace them.
The Health Division also does clinics for dogs and cats. Disposal of dead animals is contracted
out. She also has a lot of grant responsibilities, and her wish is for more staff.
Selectman Matthew Cummings questioned the increase in health salaries. The Town Manager
noted that the drug free school grant is less than it was last year but he will check into the
increase.
Vice Chairman George Hines asked about fees. The Town Manager will get the numbers on
revenues. All fees will be reviewed by the Selectmen in January.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 9, 2000—Page 4
Elder Services Administrator Lois Bond was present. She noted that 60 meals are served at the -
Senior Center every day and 85-90 meals are sent out every day. The Elder Services' van is
utilized by about 55 — 60 for shopping, doctor appointments, etc. The Social Worker handles
social service crisis, mediates disputes and does a lot of confidential social work. The Elder
Services Division holds programs and education on health insurance, safety programs and knock
boxes. Marie Ammer, Social Worker, sent flyers out announcing "Grandparents Raising
Grandchildren" Meetings. The Adopt-A-Family Program, fuel assistance and the Property Tax
Work Program all come under Elder Services. A monthly newsletter is sent out. The copying is
done in-house and the subscribers pay for the postage. She is requesting a Program Coordinator
at the Senior Center.
Library - Library Director Kimberly Lynn was present. She noted that the vision of the Reading
Public Library is "to be the best Library in the world." She noted that the Reading Public
Library is the busiest library in the NOBLE area. Over 7,000 children attended over 86 story
hours last year. The Library offers email classes, homework help and has a newsletter that is
sent by email. She serves on the Economic Development Task Force, and she has applied for a
mini grant. The FY 2002 budget is "bare bones." The opinion of the Board of Library Trustees
is that a"bare bones"budget is not enough to support the services. She is requesting $35,000 for
a Reference Librarian.
Vice Chairman George Hines asked why the demand for reference is increasing when everyone
is wired on the internet. Kimberly Lynn noted that people have difficulty navigating the internet
and there is a fee associated with some websites.
Fire Department - Fire Chief Don Wood was present. He noted that the mission of the Fire
Department is the protection of life and property. The Fire Department delivers about 1700
ambulance runs, CPR courses,blood pressure services, babysitting courses, fire prevention and
suppression. The Fire Department also permits homes, oil burners, LP gas, hazardous material,
gasoline and participates in the knock box program. The Town received a grant for $4500 for
use of the Fire Safety Trailer. The Fire Department also oversees the underground storage tank
removals of which 70% of the underground storage tanks, schools and Tannerville. The changes
in the budget include additional money for DOT training, an increase in fuel costs and vacation
buyback.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked if costs go up when there is a fire. Chief Don Wood indicated
that it does for fuel, repairs and overtime. The hazardous waste incident used a lot of overtime
because we are required to provide support. He noted that when the budget is prepared, it does
not include fires, overtime and illnesses or injuries.
Selectman Matthew Cummings asked why we are only budgeting $5,000 for overtime when last
year we were short $65,000 for overtime. The Town Manager will get a history of overtime for
the Fire Department.
Selectman Matthew Cummings asked about the $18,900 for clothing. Chief Don Wood noted
that is the contractual amount with carryover. The Town Manager noted that the Town is
obligated to provide a certain amount per person a year.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 9. 2000—Pe5
Selectman Matthew Cummings asked why it is carried forward, and the Town Manager noted so
that items aren't being replaced until needed and some items are more expensive.
Selectman Matthew Cummings asked how much was encumbered, and the Town Manager noted
that he will get that information.
Selectman Matthew Cummings asked if we have sufficient manpower to cover new spaces.
Chief Don Wood noted that if we bring staffing up to 11 per shift, we should be okay.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked if our equipment was sufficient to provide needed services.
Chief Don Wood noted that the spare fire truck is on the frontline now. The Town Manager
noted that we need to get on a cycle of buying a new fire truck every five years.
Department of Public Works — David Lee, DPW Business Manager, noted that the
administration provides office support including four clerks, himself and the Department Head.
Billing, payroll, public interface and phone calls are handled by the administration. The
Engineering Division does sign work for roads and water and sewer. They work closely with the
Assessors, Conservation and Community Development.
Selectman Matthew Cummings asked why the Jr. Engineer position was funded at $5800 in
FY00, $11,000 in FY01 and $27,000 is being requested in FY02. The Town Manager noted that
in FY01 the hiring was deferred at $11,000, and they are requesting the position be restored to
full time at $27,000. The Town Manager noted that engineering costs can be charged to Chapter
90 but the Town will have less money to spend on improvements.
Chairman Matthew Nestor asked for a breakdown of the two scenarios and a list of projects.
The Board of Selectmen will continue the review of the budget on November 21, 2000. The
Town Manager will also schedule a night to review capital before the end of November.
On motion by Hines seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their
meeting of November 9, 2000 at 11:02 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary