HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-02-02 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
February 2, 1999
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Camille Anthony
and George Hines (Matthew Nestor arrived late), Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner,
Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean and the following list of interested parties: Bob Keating,
Maria Silvaggi, Lois Bond, Fire Chief Don Wood, Ted McIntire.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the
purpose of Approval of Minutes and strategy with respect to litigation to come back into Open
Session at approximately 7:30 p.m. On a roll call vote, all three members voted in the
affirmative and the motion was carried.
Open Session of the meeting began at 7:35 p.m.
Discussion/Action Items
Budet and CIP — The Town Manager noted that there was a need to focus on the new program
requests. He noted that the Governor has submitted his budget with very little offset.
George Hines noted that these were not new program requests, they are old items. Hines noted
that the Town should add all the items, and then make cuts as we go like the School Department
does.
The Town Manager noted that the School Department has a different perspective. They identify
all of their needs and then cut. He prepares a base budget and then adds to it.
Sally Hoyt commended the Town Manager for level funding.
The Town Manager reviewed the following top nine Selectmen priorities: Community
Development Additional Clerical, Library Additional Materials, Police Additional Clerk, Police
State Accreditation, Police First Aid Supplies, Dispatch P.C. Access for Com., Fire Protective
Clothing, Parks and Forestry Expanded Turf, and Public Safety Baton and Fire Ann Training,
Bob Keating, Director of Parks and Forestry, noted that long-term seasonal staff was very
difficult to get. An increase in the starting wage is needed to attract and keep long-term staff. A
working foreman is also needed.
Maria Silvaggi, Board of Library Trustees, noted that trust funds are being used to bring their
material up to the minimum. The Library is also requesting funding for a three month overlap in
the hiring of a Division Head in the Circulation Division.
Lois Bond indicated that she was asking for an increase in clerical hours, and she also noted that
she was concerned that there is no staff person at the Senior Center.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 2, 1999—Page 2
Fire Chief Don Wood noted that he would welcome a staffing study regarding the three
additional Firefighters.
Public Works Director, Ted McIntire, ranked the working foreman in Parks and Forestry, and the
Engineering overtime as priorities in his new program requests.
The Selectmen all agreed that these were legitimate requests. George Hines suggested that the
Selectmen go back and review their ratings, and asked that the other two Selectmen submit their
ratings by Friday.
The Town Manager noted that there are three additional items in the Capital Improvements
Program this year: (1) the roof at the Senior Center needs to be replaced,(2) the HVAC at the
Library needs to be completed and (3) the new fire pumper truck that was scheduled for 2001
needs to be moved to 2000 but it will be $30,000 cheaper.
Preview Annual Town Meeting Warrant — The Town Manager reviewed the draft Warrant
outline. He noted that Article 17 regarding licenses will be taken out. The RMLD wants to add
an Article to the Warrant to fund a substation.
It was noted that the next Selectmen's meeting will be February 16th. The.Selectmen's Forum
will be February 23rd, and Budget Council will be February 24th.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to adjourn their meeting of February
2, 1999 at 9.30 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Respec ully submitted,
e retary