HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-01-03 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
January 3, 1995
The meeting was convened at 7:43 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chainnan Dan Ensminger, Vice Chairman Bill Burditt,
Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen George Hines and Camille Anthony, Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Ruth Cogan Clay, Steve Crook, Mark
Favalaro, Joe Santo, Marie Tucker, Joseph Connelly, Kate Kaminer, Lorraine Salter, Gordy
Richards, Sue Cavicchi, Jim Keigley, and Bill Murphy.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by Anthony seconded by Burditt the minutes of December 13, 1994, were approved as
amended by a vote of 4-0-1 with Ensminger abstaining.
On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the minutes of December 20, 1994, were approved as
amended by a vote of 5-0-0.
Certificate of Appreciation - First Baptist Church - On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the
Board voted to approved the presentation of the Certificate of Appreciation for the First Baptist
Church in appreciation for their generous donation to the Human Services revolving fund which is
used to assist Reading residents in need. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0, and Mark
Favalaro was present to receive the certificate.
Certificate of Appreciation - Lions Club - On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board
voted to approve the presentation of the Certificate of Appreciation for the Reading Lions Club in
appreciation for their generous donation to the Human Services Revolving Fund which is used to
assist Reading residents in need. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0 and present to
receive the certificate were Joe Santo and Marie Tucker from the Reading Lions Club.
Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments
Camille Anthony had no report.
Sally Hoyt noted that on December 21 she attended the music program at the Public Library,
attended the wake for the former Cemetery Director Henry Vik this evening, and has registered
for the Citizen Police Academy course.
George Hines attended the wake for Henry Vik.
Bill Burditt attended the wake for Henry Vik. He attended the Library music program. I-ie will
be attending the Citizens Police Academy. He attended the High School Band and Chorus
presentation. He attended the 25 Haven Street Task Force meeting at which it was decided that
the property cannot be sold to either of the two parties who had submitted proposals, because the
proposals were less than the appraised value. The Task Force will consider recommending a
Board of Selectmen Meeting-January 3, 1995 - page 2
Town Meeting warrant article to allow the RMLD to accept less than the appraised value for the
property.
Burditt noted that at the first meeting in January it is customary for incumbents to announce their
intentions. He noted that he has been on the Board of Selectmen for three years and that many
good things have happened during that time including the development of the Senior Center, the
development of an ice Rink, the expansion and renovation of two elementary school buildings, the
approval of the Parker Middle School project, the 350th Celebration, a Prop 2 1/2 Override, and
Town employees receiving pay raises. Other issues still need to be addressed including
consummating two sales of real estate, developing the Reading Business Park, and dealing with
the controversial South Street and Mineral Street projects. Because of the past successes and
work still to be done, he will be running for re-election as a Selectmen.
Dan Ensminger noted that he had attended Henry Vik's wake. He also noted that he will run for a
third three-year term for the Board of Selectmen. He has promised himself that as long as he
continued to serve with integrity and compassion, and to have fun doing it, he would continue in
public office. He shared Bill Burditt's pride in the Town. There are a lot of challenges ahead
including balancing the budget especially while school enrollment is increasing, and addressing
Public Safety and Public Works needs. He looks forward to serving another three-year term.
Sally Hoyt noted that former Police Officer Bobby Jones has passed away. She also noted that
property owners are confused by their real estate tax bills and that some additional explanation is
required.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Town Manager's Report
The Town Manager noted that the flag on the Common flies at half staff today in honor of Henry
Vik, a long tenn Cemetery Director in Reading who died over the weekend. Henry was
completely dedicated to the Town not only as an employee but also in a variety of works
including active membership in Reading Rotary. He retired from the Town in 1990 at the age of
80 to try new ventures. The flag will fly at half staff until his burial at noon tomorrow.
Christmas trees will be able to be collected by regular trash pick up this year. Residents who want
to recycle the trees will be able to take them to the compost center on Saturday, January 7, 1995.
The Reading Police Department's Citizen Police Academy is scheduled to begin on January 4.
The program is fully booked but another program will be run later in the year.
The Town Census was mailed at the end of the year just before postal rate hikes take effect. All
residents are encouraged to return the census as soon as possible.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-January 3, 1.995 -page 3
The Town has sold $865,000 of bond anticipation notes for six months for the design work for
the Parker Middle School project, and to "roll over" the bond anticipation notes for the clean up
of the public works site. The successful bidders were Century Bank for $250,000 at 4.14%, and
Bay Bank for$615,000 at 4.74%.
The Town received quotes today for one year renewal of the health insurance program from
MIIA. All categories reflect a 4.18% decrease in premiums which will translate into a savings for
both the Town and the employees who have insurance through the Town. The Town pays 70%
of the premium and the employee pays the remaining 30%.
The Town along with a number of other cooperating communities has received a variety of bids
for rubbish disposal for the period beginning July 1, 1995. These are being evaluated and a
tentative recommendation should be made within the next several weeks. This obviously will
have a major impact on the FY96 budget.
The Town Manager distributed to the Board of Selectmen a copy of the Actuarial Report
outlining the cost of the Early Retirement Program for the School Department. The cost will be
paid by the School Department out of their budget and is approximately $56,000 per year for five
years.
The Town Manager noted that the Longwood Poultry Farm on West Street is not for sale. The
signs appearing to announce the property for sale are actually for the Inwood Office Park
property in Woburn.
Discussion/Action Items
Recreation Committee - The Recreation Committee attended to discuss issues with the Board of
Selectmen. Present were Joe Connelly, Recreation Administrator; Kate Kaminer, Chairman;
Lorraine Salter, Gordy Richards, Sue Cavicchi and Director of Human Services Ruth Cogan Clay.
Issues discussed were the proposed field policy, the result of the retreat, a review of programs to
date, the issue of the philosophy of recreations and parks being self sufficient, and the fees in the
open recreation policy. There was discussion about the issue of use of the revolving fund
specifically with regard to paying tennis court fees. It was resolved that funds from some of the
programs like the tennis lessons would go for that use. Connelly noted that we are beginning a
program of Friday nights for teens in the upper gym to determine what interest there would be in
such programs. This is in lieu of having a formal teen center. With regard to field fees, it was
noted that the policy proposed would increase the fees, but more of this money would go into
field refurbishment. The Recreation Committee hoped that once the Town "got on top" of the
backlog in field and facility improvements, that that fee might be roiled back to current levels.
Hines suggested that we should reevaluate some kind of a tiered structure for fees and advocated
that no fee be charged for Reading youth sports. Anthony noted that the park and open space
questionnaire shows a significant demand for passive recreation programs including bike paths
and walking trails. She also asked if dances could be re-instituted.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-January 3, 1995 - page 4
Hines noted that the Town needs to continue to review some form of privatization of elements of
the Recreation Program and park maintenance.
Review of Capital Improvement Program - Chairman Jim Keigley and member Bill Murphy from
the Capital Improvements Advisory Subcommittee were present. The Capital Improvement
Program was reviewed briefly with the Board. They will make any comments or
recommendations on it prior to the January 31, 1995, deadline. Ensminger noted that the RMHS
2000 interim report is due in late January. The Board requested that the Town Accountant
review the Capital Improvement Program in both the financing plan and the program itself.
Discussion on MAPC North Suburban Planning Council. The Town Manager presented the
proposed memorandum of understanding relative to the establishment of a North Suburban Water
Supply Protection Committee. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Anthony the Board voted to
approve the signing of the North Suburban Water Supply Advisory Committee Memorandum of
Understanding and authorized the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to sign the MOU in the
Town's behalf. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Town Manager further
reviewed the role of the North Suburban Planning Council and its initial intent to be a group
representative of policy makers. Hines will work with the Town Manager to pull together a
meeting of the policy makers of all the communities involved.
Budget Review - The Town Manager noted that several of the major key elements in the budget
are coming together at this time. The Board set aside a meeting on the 24th to review the budget.
It is their intent to only review the major changes and major issues in the budget, as opposed to its
traditional method of going through all of the budget in detail. All budget detail will be provided.
On motion by Burditt seconded by Anthony the Board voted to approve a proclamation for
United Cerebral Palsy week by a vote of 5-0-0.
There being no further business, on motion by Burditt seconded by Anthony the Board voted to
adjourn at 11:07 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
i
Secretary