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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-11-30 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting November 30, 2000 The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Matthew Nestor, Secretary Camille Anthony, Selectmen Sally Hoyt and Matthew Cummings, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Police Chief Edward Marchand, Building Inspector Glen Redmond, Recreation Administrator Wayne Currie, and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Linda Phillips, Jacquelyn Mandell, Sam Gordon, Fred McGrane, Will Engelbrett, Discussion/Action Items Continue review of FY 2002 Budget- The purpose of tonight's meeting is to finish reviewing the municipal budgets and to approve Minutes. Following completion of the review of the budgets, staff will prepare a summary of the status to date. Building Inspection — Building Inspector Glen Redmond presented to the Board the major functions of the Inspections Division. The Board discussed the availability need for back up inspection, and whether the backup inspection should be a salary or expense line item. They also discussed the need for restoring the Zoning Enforcement Officer/Assistant Building Inspector position. Recreation Administrator Wayne Currie presented the Recreation budget for FY 2002. It was noted that the direct expenses in the Recreation area are paid for by fees. Wayne Currie would like to have a Program Assistant available to continue to expand and operate the programs. Police Chief Edward Marchand presented the Police, Animal Control and Dispatch budgets. The Board discussed the need for violence prevention because of the number of 209A cases. The Board directed the Town Manager to talk with the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office, and see if there are some programs they operate that could be brought to Reading. Chief Marchand noted that the Police Department writes 7000 citations a year and conducts approximately 10,000 vehicle stops. In addition, they do parking enforcement. The Board talked about the funding level for the Chief's position since the current Chief is retiring in February of 2001. They also questioned the staffing requirements and levels for Crossing Guards, and reminded the Town Manager that they wanted a copy of the Vehicle Maintenance Study. They also talked about the number of vehicles in the Police Department, asked for information about the base pay of the Lieutenant's and Chief's salaries in other communities, and discussed the fees for licenses to carry and F.I.D. cards. The Board discussed with Chief Marchand the Animal Control function, and how well it is working since the hours were reduced. Chief Marchand noted that it is working all right but it would be better with more staff availability. The Board talked about the Dispatch function and _ r how it is staffed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 30, 2000—Page_2 Board of Selectmen Expenses — The Town Manager was asked to get a copy of the expenses to - date. Town Manager — The Town Manager noted that the evaluation to be done in December was partly to be used to set the Town Manager's salary for the next fiscal year. He will look at the formula that was used to develop the budget number. Town Clerk and Elections - The Board reviewed the Town Clerk and Elections accounts. General Services - The Board reviewed the General Services account, and asked why the salary increases in the Office Manager's and Principal Clerk's position. Selectman Camille Anthony asked about having the Building Maintenance Supervisor appear before the Board of Selectmen. The Town Manager noted that the Superintendent felt that since this was not a direct responsibility of the Board of Selectmen that it would be inappropriate. The Board felt strongly that they would like to have a presentation on building maintenance by the Building Maintenance Supervisor. They also asked for a copy of the agreement on building maintenance between the Town and the School Department. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked when we were going to have the discussion on whether building maintenance should fall under the School Department or the Town. The Town Manager noted that this has to be a discussion between the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee. Chairman Matthew Nestor reminded the Board that they had previously had this discussion although it didn't come to an agreement. Approval of Minutes On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of October 17, 2000, as amended, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Cummings seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of October 21, 2000, as amended, by a vote of 3-0-1, with Anthony abstaining. On motion by Cummings seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of October 24, 2000, as amended,by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of November 9, 2000, as amended, by a vote of 3-0-1, with Hoyt abstaining. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of November 14, 2000, as amended, by a vote of 3-0-1, with Nestor abstaining. Board of Selectmen Meeting=November 30, 2000—Page 3 Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the Board Members had received an e-mail from Town Planner Anne Krieg asking for input on the Beacon Street comprehensive permit. The Board directed the Town Manager to write a letter to the Board of Appeals indicating that they just got the plan yesterday, and asking them to continue the hearing so that the Board would have an opportunity to comment. The Board reserves the right to get public input prior to making their comments. Selectman Camille Anthony reminded the Board that the Zoning Board of Appeals is suppose to be working on regulations for comprehensive permits so that they don't have to rely on the State regulations. On motion by Cummings seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their meeting of November 30, 2000 at 10:20 p.m. on a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully-submitted, ,, Secretary ' �� �