HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-03-04 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
March 4, 1997
The meeting was convened at 7:38 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Bruce
MacDonald, and Selectman Sally Hoyt (Dan Ensminger and George Hines were not present),
Town Clerk Cheryl A. Johnson (taking Minutes in Peter Hechenbleikner's absence), and the
following list of interested parties: Nancy Eaton, Katy Brennan, Girl Scouts, Brownies, Daisies
and spokesperson Pat Zacado; Substance Abuse Advisory Committee Members: Chairwoman
Sandy Michaud, Gayneil Knowlton, Cathy Kosta, Angela Kosta, Alex Kosta, and Jane Fiore
Town Manager's Report
Proclamation-Fourth Annual Drug Free Week
On motion by,-.MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a
Proclamation designating March 5 through March 12, 1997 as Reading's Fourth Annual Drug
Free Week.
Bruce MacDonald presented the Proclamation by the Board of Selectmen making March 5
through March 12, 1997 an Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Free Week in the Town of Reading to
Jane Fiore.
Cathy Kosta of the Substance Abuse Advisory Committee informed the public of the Health Fair
at the Reading Memorial High School's Hawkes Field House tomorrow from 3:00 p.m. to 7:30
p.m. Other upcoming events include Strut Yourself Talent Show, Free Skate at the Burbank
Arena on Sunday March 9, and Yellow Dress which will be on March 12.
Proclamation-Honoring Girl Scout Week
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a
Proclamation designating March 9 through March 15, 1997 as Girl Scout Week.
Bruce MacDonald presented the Proclamation by the Board of Selectmen making March 9
through March 15, 1997 Girl Scout Week honoring the Girl Scouts for their dedication to Girl
Scouting in the community.
Pat Zacado informed the public that this is the 85th Anniversary of the founding of girl scouts. It
is now cookie time. Mollie Ziegler can be contacted if anyone needs to purchase cookies. The
cookie sales builds the girls' business sense. This program gives the scouts the ability to take care
of things themselves in today's world.
Girl Scouts, Brownies, and Daisies introduced themselves to the public before leaving.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-March 4, 1997- page 2
Approval of Minutes
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board approved the minutes of their meeting of
February 25, 1997 as amended by a vote of 3-0-0.
Discussion/Action Items
Bob Brown from the Solid Waste Advisory Committee has a letter recommending support for an
award from Mass Recycle for work done, education programs and recycling efforts.
Bacigalupo -benefits -bills-Marzilli Bill.
County Retirement Program -Reading should not be involved.
Camille Anthony offered congratulations to the Reading Track Team. Their State Meet was
Saturday. Tied.
Rockets played hockey at Fleet Center the other night and again tonight. Congratulations to them.
Community Day is looking for volunteers.
Reports on MMA Annual Meetin-g:
Sally Hoyt attended three workshops -- Regionalization, Municipal Law and Local Government
Partnership. The Regionalization Workshop dealt with diminished State funding and creative
solutions to local problems. Municipal law and conflict of interest made her awareness of her
position in the community and to be cautious. The Local Government Partnership Workshop
demonstrated Selectmen working with students and the School Department. Students make it
part of their curriculum in their junior and senior years to take part in local government.
Bruce MacDonald attended three workshops -- Economic Development, Property Tax Ballot
Questions and Education Reform.
Economic Development dealt with Local and State Government and implications arising out of an
economy that increasingly demands Higher Education. BrownField Sites, Worcester-- Legislation
for any owners from past debts. The Business Park in Reading could be developed in ways in
which local communities can invest in economic development. Neighboring communities might
want to invest in our landfill because it could provide jobs.
Property Tax Ballot Questions are important to inform public on economy override -- good
lessons were learned from Winchester as far as awareness and getting the message out to the
public.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-March 4., 1997- page 3
Education Reform was discussed to put a greater attention on effectiveness in education as well
as greater emphasis on basis skills, especially reading. Concerns with education reform were
testing of students in senior year (GED). Biggest concern is the somewhat stalled technology
money still not appropriated on approved programs because the Department of Education is
downsizing.
Camille attended three workshops -- Economic Development and Regionalism, Domestic
Violence and Override.
Economic Development and Regionalism dealt with who are you trying to employ?
Camille Anthony has made it one of her goals to deal with Domestic Violence. Domestic violence
sometimes starts as sexual harassment that becomes violent. The effect of sexual harassment in
the workplace is costing companies $3-5 billion a year in tardiness, absenteeism and poor
performance. Every workplace should have a program in place.
Camille Anthony asked Cheryl Johnson about sexual harassment training in Reading. Cheryl
informed Camille that the Town of Reading had such training for all employees recently, and that
we also have a program to call for assistance through the Employee Assistance Program(EAP).
Bruce MacDonald stated that he would like to speak to MMA more on economic development
and see potential opportunities for Reading.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 8:45
p.m. by a vote of 3-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary