HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-10-13 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
October 13, 1998
The meeting was convened at 7:32 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman Sally Hoyt, ,Secretary Matthew Nestor,
Selectmen George Hines and Camille Anthony(Chairman Bruce MacDonald arrived late), Town
Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean,Paula Schena.
Discussion/Action Items
Certificate of Appreciation — 128 Sales — The recipient was unable to be present so this will be
rescheduled.
Appointment — Board of Registrars - The Board interviewed Anne Taylor for a position on the
Board of Registrars.
On motion by Anthony seconded Hines, the Board placed the name of Anne Taylor into
nomination for a position on the Board of Registrars with a term expiring June 30, 2001. The
motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Review Options — Planner/Community Development Director - The Town Manager indicated
that he had met with CPDC on Thursday and they agree with the following goals: to hire a first
rate planner, provide appropriate level of planning services, improve the way we do business at
the lowest possible cost.
The Town Manager reviewed the two options for filling the position. Option A would be to hire
a Plariner/Community Development Director and to retain the current structure of the
Community Development function.
Option B would be to hire a Planner— with the salary open ended for recruiting purposes —who
will do planning only; appoint the Assistant Town Manager as the Department Head with an
increase to Grade 16 to match the responsibilities; keep the Departments of Human Services and
Community Development separate for six months and if the structure works, then move to
consolidate the Departments; if after an evaluation period the structure is working, then make it
permanent.
George Hines indicated that he had trepidation to Option B. The reason for hiring an Assistant
Town,Manager was because the Town Manager was spread too thin. Wouldn't this option
counter that. The Town Manager answered that in the short run, it could be thin but in the long
run., only about 10% of time will be administrative. A Planner who works under Russ would be
beneficial; i.e., the landfill. Russell Dean pointed out that the departments have overlap and the
permit streamlining could be improved.
Sally Hoyt noted that the previous Planner did grant writing and was good at it. The Town
nManager noted that the new Planer would assist in grant writing in all departments.
Board of Selectmen Meetiniz—October 13, 1998—Page 2
Matthew Nestor had concerns about the Assistant Town Manager's position being regraded.
This would be a 6%-7% increase for a new employee, and he had concerns regarding the morale
of other employees. .
Bruce MacDonald asked the Town Manager if his workload had lightened since the Assistant
Town Manager has been hired. It was noted that the Town Manager has been delegating to the
Assistant Town Manager and Department Heads.
Camille Anthony noted that both Community Development and Human Services has a shortage
of clerical help. The Town Manager indicated that the need has been identified in both
departments, and it will be a high priority in next year's budget.
George Hines noted that the Town should remain flexible to see what we could get in a Planner.
We should keep both options open.
Sally Hoyt had concerns over the open ended salary and indicated that the economic picture in
Massachusetts is not bright.
Matthew Nestor indicated that if Russell is moved to a Grade 16, then he can't be moved back to
a Grade 15. Nestor also indicated that the Town might find someone who is both a good Planner
and Department Head.
George Hines noted that it should be a trial basis for everyone and could include a scaled backed
salary.
Town Town Manager indicated that a member of the Board of Selectmen and CPDC would be
involved in the hiring process.
Camille Anthony noted that regarding grading, it's not who's in the position but what is involved
in the job.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen moved to support Option B
as presented by the Town Manager with the recommendation that it be based on whoever is
hired. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Nestor opposed.
Discuss Goals- FY 2000 — The Town Manager reviewed the list of goals that were compiled
from the individual Selectmen.
George Hines indicated that the Board of Selectmen need to develop priorities, then the
departments can build their budget on that.
Bruce MacDonald noted that the Business Park is not in the budget but is a high priority
workload for the staff. The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen's goals are not inconsistent
with the department budgets.
Board of Selectmen Meetinjz—October 13, 1998—Page 3
The following is a list of the 10 highest priority goals for the Board of Selectmen: landfill
sale/closure; water supply decision; downtown revitalization/scenic gateway; economic
development initiative; improve traffic management; maintain integrity of CIP; sidewalk
construction; West Street vehicle improvements management; building maintenance; implement
Police Staffing Study.
Bruce MacDonald suggested that staff develop objectives for each of the goals.
FY 2000 Budget — Preliminary Review — The Town Manager did a preliminary review of the
new program requests for the departments. The new program requests for the FY 2000 budget
total $542,698. The Town Manager indicated that some of these new program requests are
carried over from last year.
On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to adjourn their meeting of October
13, 1998 at 10:00 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
cretary