HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-01-11 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
January 11, 1994
The meeting was convened at 7:36 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting
Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman
George Hines, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Dan Ensminger and
Bill Burditt, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following
list of interested parties: Nancy Eaton, Deirdre Hanley, Camille
Anthony, Tom Stohlman, Ron Wood, Ross McGurn.
There were no liaison reports.
Public Comment
Nancy Eaton of 13 Short Street wanted to know if the Board had a
policy on how long it should take to return correspondence. The
Town Manager indicated that he had received Ms. Eaton's letter on
behalf of the Reading Rifle and Revolver Club regarding potential
purchase of the property. Mr. Hines indicated that the Board
would take it up at some future date, but that the Board had al-
ready taken a public stance on the issue. The letter from Ms.
Eaton was dated December 30, 1993.
Discussion/Action Items
Waiver of Voter Registration - The Town Clerk was present and
asked the Board to waive voter registration in the precincts. On
motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board of Selectmen voted
to waive voter registration at each of the eight precincts for
the 1994 Local Election. The motion was approved by a vote of -
4-0-0. The Town Clerk noted that the motor voter bill will
eliminate all special registration sessions except one per elec
,:stion.
On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board of Selectmen
voted to close the Warrant for the Special State Primary Election
to be held at the hawkes Field House, 62 Oakland Road on Tuesday,
February 1, 1994, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for State Represen-
tative - 21st Middlesex District; and voted to close the Warrant
for the Special State Election to be held at the Hawkes Field
House, 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA, on Tuesday, March 1, 1994
from 7 : 00 a.m. to 8: 00 p.m. for State Representative 21st Mid-
dlesex District. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
The Board of Selectmen made suggestions with regard to the smooth
operation of the election at the Hawkes Field House, including
additional signing, details, parking, and one way restrictions.
Budget Review
The Board reviewed the Town Manager's draft proposed budget
priorities. The Town Manager went through priorities 1-32 total-
ing $409,243 . Board members made specific suggestions as to how
they would prioritize the programs over and above the base budget
that was also submitted that evening. Where appropriate, the
priorities were connected to Town .goals. �{
The Town Manager reminded everyone present that the Finance Com-
mittee, Board of Selectmen, and School Committee, agreed during
the Proposition 2 1/2 Override that we would not tax the maximum
levy limit if additional state aid for schools was forthcoming.
Board of Selectmen Meeting - January 11, 1994 - page 2
The Town, therefore, has reduced the use of the allowable levy
limit by approximately $500, 000 in FY94. The Chairman of the
Board of Selectmen indicated that the intent was to leave ap-
proximately $500, 000 of unused taxing capacity in FY95 in order
to allow the FY96 budget to proceed without requiring an Over-
ride.
The following specific comments were made on the priorities:
#6 - Conservation Commission recording secretary - There was a
mixed feeling as to the level of priority.
#7 - Restoring street lights - The Town will look at the capital
cost of relamping the older street lights which would reduce
operating expenses.
#13 - Engineering overtime - It was asked whether we could use
Chapter 90 funds for overtime for Town employees to do inspec-
tions and the Town Manager will look into it.
#18 - Was questioned as to whether or not this would be the DARE
officer. The Town Manager indicated that whether or not we have
a DARE program is a policy issue that still needs to be reviewed.
#21 - Restore EAP - It was asked whether or not this could be
- provided through our group health insurance provider.
#22 - This is the Assistant Town Clerk stipend. There was a con-
census that this should be moved up in priority.
#23 - Increase the hours of the Recreation Administrator - it was
indicated that this could probably be done on a "self supporting"
basis.
The Board will continue budget discussion at their next meeting
at which we will review Accounting, Community Development,
Finance, General Services, Debt Service, Employee Benefits. The
remainder will be done on the 25th.
On motion by Burditt seconded by Hines the Board voted to go into
Executive Session for the purpose of approval of minutes, sale of
real estate, litigation, and labor negotiations, not to come back
into open session. All four members voted in the affirmative and
the motion was carried.
Respectfully submitted,
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Secretary
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