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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-04-04 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting April 4, 1995 The meeting convened at 7:34 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Dan Ensminger, Vice Chairman Sally Hoyt, Selectmen George Hines and Bruce MacDonald, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Ellen Mounteer, Gerry MacDonald, Nathan White, Paul Feely, Lorraine Horn, Laura Wilson, Robert Spadafora, Tim Twomey, Susan Cavicchi, Tom Stohlman, Dennis Richards, Virginia Schamp, Tom Schamp, Carol Grimm. Camille Anthony joined the meeting at 10:45 p.m. Approval of Minutes On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines the Board voted to approve the minutes of the Board of Selectmen meeting of March 20, 1995, as amended by a vote of 3-0-1 with MacDonald abstaining. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve the minutes of the Board of Selectmen's meeting of March 22, 1995, as amended by a vote of 4-0-0. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments George Hines noted that he had attended the joint RMLD and FinCom meeting and one of the concerns expressed was that there be more extensive marketing. He also attended the Spelling Bee and the Selectmen team won the Spelling Bee. Sally Hoyt noted that she attended the public hearing on several Middlesex County sponsored bills at the State House. She noted that she has attended 25 meetings on behalf of the Middlesex County Advisory Board. She met with Ruth Clay regarding several bilis affecting health issues, and testified on her own behalf at a legislative hearing. The Legislator has granted authority to the Board of Health and only legislation could act to make changes. The concern was the Board of Health decisions should remain with the local government (there were issues as to whether or not the Board of Selectmen should have final authority on issues like smoking). She attended an MMA regional meeting in Chelmsford and received the FY96 State Budget. She attended the RMLD joint meeting. She expressed congratulations to the Spelling Bee winners. She attended Saturday's "walk about" with members of the CPDC, Sign Review Board, etc. She attended the Girl Scouts International Festival on Sunday. Bruce MacDonald attended the Spelling Bee and noted that the Board members had indicated and intend to donate the Book Certificates that they received for winning to the Public Library. He reviewed proposed legislation that he would suggest the Board of Selectmen sponsor in revised format, dealing with the issue of Prop 2 1/2 and the growth in school enrollment. He would like to see the state come up with some of the costs of increasing budget related to increased ~- enrollment if the local government would come up with some of that. He would like to see the issue of South Street placed on the agenda for April and would like to look at it again. It was Board of Selectmen Meeting- April 4, 1995 -page 2 suggested that he get a briefing on this issue from Town Counsel. He would like to stay involved in downtown issues since he attended the "walk about" on Saturday. Dan Ensminger reviewed correspondence from a Hopkins Street resident regarding Calareso's and whether or not it was creating a problem. He indicated that he would want to revisit this issue when the property is open. He felt that the island is poorly lit and it needs more reflectors. He attended the RMLD/FinCom/Board of Selectmen meeting, and the 25 Haven Street Task Force met last week. Their request of motion will be to use 80% of the 1994 appraised value as the minimum sales price. The Task Force will be recommending advertising in the Boston Globe and in other appropriate publications. He also attended the Spelling Bee. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager reported that he felt the election process was a success and the Town is looking to continuously improve the process. The corporation of the School Department, Public Works, Police, Town Clerk and the outstanding work of the pole workers was evident. The new press box is under construction at the RMHS football field. This is not a Town funded project. The compost center is open April 1 for the season. The Town will not be collecting brush at curbside this spring. The annual Bulk Waste Collection is scheduled for the week of May 1. Local"Government Week is scheduled the week of May 1 and Camille Anthony will work with the Town Manager regarding suitable observances. Fifty-five properties are now on the list of advertising for 1994 tax titles, and the advertising date is April 9. The Town Manager reviewed the Austin Prep bomb scare and the report from the Fire Chief. ' He noted that Trudy Wells has retired as Administrative Secretary in the Department of General Services. Dr. Munnelly's retirement party is April 30, 1995, and tickets are available at Town Hall. He reviewed the Ipswich River Watershed Association Clean to the Coast Program, the response from Wilmington regarding no salt areas on I-93, and the street sweeping process. He noted that street improvements on Grove and Franklin will be done in May. April 1 was the deadline for dog licensing, and now there will.be fines. The Town received a $35 grant for the soft second loan program and it will be advertised. The Mineral Street 25% design hearing is scheduled for May 4 at the Lecture Hall. CMC informally requested to use the Bear Hill Water Tower for cellular communications and a presentation will be scheduled for a future date. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, Bruce MacDonald was appointed as the Board of Selectmen's representative on the Ad Hoc Police Station Building Committee by a vote of 4-0-0. Several residents of Dividence Road were present to discuss the issue of driveway widths on Dividence Road. Mr. Ceccacci of 27 Dividence Road noted that there are two dwelling units that have three.curb cuts. The Town Manager noted that this is being reduced. The discussion from residents was that if we maintain the standard throughout the neighborhood, then they feel that they can live with it. Mr. Schamp came in later in the evening and the discussion continued. The consensus of the Board was to maintain the standards. Bruce MacDonald noted that he liked voting in the elementary schools rather than the central voting place at the High School. He felt Board of Selectmen Meeting- April 4, 1995 -page 3 the central voting place removed voting from the neighborhoods. George Hines noted that he felt the same initially, but feels that the current central voting place is very successful. Discussion/Action Items Meeting with the School Committee re: Operating and Capital Budget - The Board of Selectmen met with members of the School Committee regarding the operating capital budget. The Town Manager reviewed the status of the FY95 budget as adopted, the FY96 budget request, and the FY96 FinCom recommendation. He noted that the budget request was for $1,884,000 more than adopted in FY95, or 11.3%. This includes capital. The FinCom recommendation was a total increase of$1,447,000 or 8.7% increase. The Town Manager noted that the total increase in revenues available for the entire town is $1,660,000. With the FinCom recommendation, $213,000 will be available for nonschool functions or 1.2%. Under the School Department's request, the nonschool operations of government would have to decrease $224,000 or 1.3%. Available resources in free cash is $922,000 which is needed to balance future years budget, offset revenue over estimates or expenditure underestimates, balance current years budgets, deal with unforeseen emergencies, and operate as a planning tool for long term budget planning. Possible demands on reserves include receiving less state aid than previously anticipated, funding for the landfill closure because Resco pass through cost reimbursement from the state may not be forthcoming, balancing the FY95 budget(school needs are not yet known). Tim Twomey, the Chairman of the School Committee, spoke. He reviewed the status of the base, structural, and new program requests. The Town Manager noted that the budget process seems to have broken down. Dan Ensminger asked about particular modifications to the FY96 school budget and whether they could achieve savings or additional revenues. These include additional revenue from ice hockey gate receipts, eliminating the black top and paving, eliminating the need to move the Joshua Eaton portables to another site, elimination of the new staff for special education, and exercising flexibility as to how new custodial operations were handled. He suggested that legislatively we could deal with priorities, although it was noted that the portables would need to be moved before the beginning of school in September. Bruce MacDonald noted that he felt the School Committee had done all the work necessary to determine its minimum budgets and that the Town should try to accommodate these needs. George Hines felt that some modifications should be made, perhaps by reducing slightly in building maintenance extraordinary expenses. Nate White from the Finance Committee reviewed some statistics on average tax bills, the equalized assessed evaluation per public school pupil (it's the lowest of the 12 comparable communities) and enrollment increases of 1.1% versus expenditure increases of 11.3%, and the need to prevent the reduction of services for the other 18,000 residents who are not in the public schools. Sally Hoyt noted that the Governor is proposing modifications which will reduce special - education costs. Board of Selectmen Meeting- April 4, 1995 - page 4 There was discussion by the Board in terms of various motions which would recommend to Town Meeting the addition of either$108,000 to the school budget from free cash, or$75,000 from free cash. Ultimately, on motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines to recommend the sum of $108,000 be taken from free cash was defeated by a vote of 1-3-0 with MacDonald in favor. MacDonald noted that he had a problem acting like the Finance Committee or like the School Committee. He noted that the schools have a strong draw on the community and impact real estate values. He feels that the Board of Selectmen are the community wide leaders. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to support to take the $75,000 for the school budget from free cash by a vote of 3-1-0 with Ensminger opposed. The School Committee then discussed capital issues. Dennis Richards, designated interim Superintendent, noted that the Town will work cooperatively with the School Department regarding the Barrows School remodeling, and there was no action to support additional funding for capital programs. Dan Ensminger noted that we should focus on buying smart with respect to computers and educational software. Sally Hoyt noted that she hopes that the School Committee will find a way to contribute to the Coolidge Middle School Science Olympiad team. Public Hearing on Acceptance of Symonds Way - The public hearing on the acceptance of Symonds way was opened. Sally Hoyt read the notice of the public hearing. There was no public comment, and on motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines the Board voted to close the public hearing on the acceptance of Symonds Way by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to recommend to Town Meeting approval of Article 1 i the Acceptance of Symonds Way as a public street by a vote of 4-0-0. Appointment of Town Accountant - On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines the Board voted to appoint Richard P. Foley to the position of Town Accountant for a term expiring March 31, 1996, by a vote of 4-0-0. Memorial Day Speakers - The Board divided up the Memorial Day speaking schedule and the Town Manager will convey this to the Veteran's organizations. North Suburban Planning Council Meeting - The Town Manager reviewed the North Suburban Planning Council proposed meeting on June 7, 1995, at Winchester Town Hall from 7:15 - 9:30 p.m. All Selectmen will be encouraged to attend. Review Warrant/Bud etg_/CIP - The Board of Selectmen reviewed the Warrant. Camille Anthony joined the quorum at 10:45 p.m. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to support Article 12 by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting- April 4, 1995 - page 5 On motion by Hoyt seconded by Anthony the Board voted not to support- Article 15 - consolidating the Presidential Primary and Town Elections - by a vote of 2-3-0 with Hoyt and Anthony in favor. Concerns were expressed about mixing local issues with national issues. On motion by Hines seconded by MacDonald the Board voted to support the subject matter of Article 16 by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hoyt seconded by MacDonald the Board voted to adjourn the regular meeting and go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of the sale of real estate and approval of minutes not to come back into open session. On a role call vote, Ensminger, MacDonald, Hoyt and Anthony voted in favor, Hines abstained and the meeting was adjourned at 11:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Secretary