HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-12-05 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
December 5, 2000
The meeting convened at 7:39 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, Selectmen Matthew Cummings and Sally Hoyt, Town
Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Superintendent of
Schools Dr. Harry Harutunian, Finance Committee Chairman Carol Grimm, School Committee
Chairman Susan Cavicchi, Fire Chief Don Wood, Finance Director Beth Klepeis, Paula Schena
and the following list of interested parties: Karen Opstein, Harry Curtis, Shawn Donahue, Phil
Vaccaro, Bill Brown, Linda Phillips, Paul Feely, Nancy Eaton, Paula Koppel, Nancy Ortiz,
Cathy Martin, Mark Dockser, Ken Tucci, Carl McFadden, Nelson Burbank.
Public Comment — Carl McFadden, President of the Friends of Reading Athletics, noted that the
RMHS track is 20 years old and needs to be replaced. It is literally falling apart. The cost of
resurfacing is $60,000 and they would like to pay for half.
Chairman Matthew Nestor acknowledged the presence of Nelson Burbank and Phil Vacarro.
Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the track is a community facility and is also used by
adults.
Vice Chairman George Hines noted that he attended the site visit in October, and he was amazed
at the condition of the track. He asked where it is in the Capital Improvements Program.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Harry Harutunian noted that it is built into the RMHS project
not an individual item in the C.I.P.
Review Budget — School Superintendent Dr. Harutunian and School Committee Chairman Sue
Cavicchi were present. Sue Cavicchi noted that the $1,805,000 has remained the same but they
are also adding $160,000 for sick leave buy back and $355,000 for fuel. The School Committee
voted 6-0-0 for a$2.3 million increase.
Dr. Harutunian noted that the$1,805,000 includes $950,000 for salaries, $600,000 for Special Ed
and $255,000 for curriculum initiatives.
Selectman Matthew Cummings asked if the $950,000 was additional money over what was
appropriated in April. Dr. Harutunian noted that this is the amount that is needed for FY2002
negotiations.
Selectman Matthew Cummings asked about the additional $160,000 for sick leave buy back. Dr.
Harutunian noted that 18 additional teachers are retiring.
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Board of Selectmen Meetiniz December 5, 2000—Page 2
Dr. Harutunian noted that there has been no increase in the fuel budget in the past three years,
and it is impossible to get numbers for one year from now. He can budget for what he knows we
will need and then ask for a reserve fund transfer.
Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that when we go for an override, we will be locked into a
number and we don't know how much money will be in the reserve fund.
Chairman Matthew Nestor asked what will happen if there is excess money at year's end, and
Dr. Harutunian noted it would go back to the Town.
Vice Chairman George Hines asked if the Special Ed number included salaries, and Dr.
Harutunian noted that it does not. He also noted that sometimes it is cheaper to hire a teacher
then to send the students out of town.
Dr. Harutunian reviewed the School Committee's schedule for reviewing the budget.
Finance Committee Chairman Carol Grimm noted that it was her understanding that the
Selectmen would agree upon an amount in December, and then in January work on what to do if
it doesn't pass.
Chairman Matthew Nestor asked about the Capital Improvements Program, and the Town
Manager noted that the Capital Improvements Program is anticipated at $800,000 per year for 10
years.
Selectman Sally Hoyt asked if a debt exclusion is for one time or a number of years, and the
Town Manager noted it is for the life of the project.
The Board will consider budget alternatives on December 12th, and make a formal motion on
December 19, 2000.
The Town Manager noted that the budget has been updated to reflect the changes to date.
$25,000 has been added to snow and ice, $25,000 in cemetery bequests, and $219,000 has been
added to the operating costs of the Pavement Management Program.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked why the operating cost is so high in FY2002 for patch and
crack seal, and the Town Manager noted that the money needs to be spent now to prevent further
deterioration. The amount will drop considerably in the following years.
Selectman Matthew Cummings asked why the $259,000 was in the operating budget instead of
capital. The Town Manager noted that we will just be doing more of what we normally do, and
it has a relatively short life; i.e., we are not rebuilding the road. Some of the funding will come
from the operating budget, some from capital and some from Chapter 90.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked if the issues in the Vehicle Maintenance Study have been
addressed. The Town Manager noted that some issues have been addressed, and this will be
coming back to the Board of Selectmen. He doesn't anticipate a budgetary affect.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 5, 2000—Page 3
Fire Chief Donald Wood was present. He noted that the uniform account is contractual, and the
$18,900 covers 42 personnel.
Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that $13,714 was encumbered in Fiscal Year 2000, The
Town Manager noted that $4600 has been spent to date. Chief Wood noted that the rest will
probably be expended within the next two to three months.
Selectman Matthew Cummings asked when was the last time we didn't encumber money in that
account, and Chief Wood noted that money is encumbered every year.
Selectman Matthew Cummings asked if we are over appropriating, and Chief Wood noted that
the contract requires that$450 per person be appropriated every year.
Chairman Matthew Nestor asked about the overtime account in the Fire Department. The Town
Manager noted that the Finance Committee urges increasing the Fire Department overtime
account.
Chief Wood noted that he has three Fire Fighters out on long-term injuries.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked about a fire staffing study, and the Town Manager noted that
Chief Wood made a recommendation two years ago. His goal is to have four groups of eleven.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked if it is cheaper to hire five Fire Fighters than to budget
overtime. Chief Wood noted that it is cheaper to hire three Fire Fighters but there will always be
overtime.
Selectman Sally Hoyt asked for the cost of an additional Fire Fighter, and the Town Manager
noted that one Fire Fighter costs about $50,000.
Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that Chief Wood stated he is full staffed but there are three
out on injuries. Chief Wood noted that there are no vacancies but there are three out on injury.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked how this will impact the 2001 budget, and Chief Wood noted
that a transfer will be needed, and that three out at the same time is very unusual.
Selectman Sally Hoyt suggested adding one Fire Fighter.
Vice Chairman George Hines noted that one additional Fire Fighter doesn't achieve a significant
savings. He suggested having a study done but not in a year that we are requesting an override.
Selectman Matthew Cummings suggested getting a new average and appropriate that amount in
FY 2002.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 5, 2000-Page 4
Cummings moved and Hoyt seconded to add what the 2001 overtime is to $226,000 and use that
to average the last five years for a new number.
Chairman Matthew Nestor suggested throwing out the high and low years. Chief Wood noted
that he would have a more accurate number next week so the Selectmen decided to wait.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to add $10,000 to the
Fire Department budget for a Staff Deployment Study. The motion was approved by a vote of
4-1-0, with Hines opposed.
Finance Committee Chairman Carol Grimm noted that the target number for snow and ice and
fire overtime is unpredictable. She also noted that if we add three Fire Fighters, we don't get a
$150,000 reduction.
Finance Director Beth Klepeis was present. She noted that the pay increase in the Assistant
Appraiser position was due to the reclass and the FY2001 budget was not fully funded. The
Personnel Administrator pay increase was due to the pay and classification.
Chairman Matthew Nestor noted that he received a petition asking the Board of Selectmen for a
quick decision on an override.
The Town Manager noted that in the General Services budget, the Clerk's and Office Manager's
salaries were under budgeted. The Town Manager's salary has been modified.
Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean noted that the Health Division took in $17,000 in
revenues. The Board of Health will review all fees this Winter/Spring. The Assistant Town
Manager will look at the 8% increase in Health salaries.
The Town Manager noted that he and Vice Chairman George Hines met with the Board of
Cemetery Trustees, and they approved $25,000 again this year.
Selectman Matthew Cummings asked for a discussion on the actual water and sewer allocation at
the December 12th meeting.
Selectman Camille Anthony requested that Rick Barrett come in to talk with the Selectmen about
the status of the buildings on January 19, 2000.
Review Draft CIP—This will be rescheduled.
Approval of Health Insurance Agreement—On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board
of Selectmen voted to approve the Health Insurance Agreement effective March 1, 2001 to
February 28, 2002. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 5, 2000—Page 5
Report—Reading Business Park—The Assistant Town Manager noted that Dickinson is meeting
with the Conservation Commission tomorrow night.
Report — Water Supply — The Assistant Town Manager noted that the water distribution study
was received today and the bedrock wells is ongoing.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their
meeting of December 5, 2000 at 10:20 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary