HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-01-26 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting
January 26, 1993
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's
Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chair-
man Dan Ensminger, Vice Chairman George Hines, Secretary Sally
Hoyt, Selectman Eugpne Nigro. Selectman Bill Burditt was attend-
ing an Audit Committee Meeting and joined the meeting at 7 : 55
p.m. Also present were Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Town
Counsel Ted Cohen, Library Director Deidre Hanley, Library Board
Chairman Elia Marnik, School Committee members Timothy Twomey and
Sue Cavicchi, Richard Radville and Ron Wood.
Deidre Hanley explained to the Board of Selectmen that the
Library figures previously presented with regard to the Library
Budget were for two different years. For FY93' Reading ranks 6
out of 10 communities in Library expenditures per capita.
H. Theodore Cohen, Town Counsel, was present to discuss legal
services budget. He presented a review of the history of the
Legal Services Budget since 1979 . The budget has been level
funded on a retainer basis for the last four years. The Town
Manager recommended increasing the budget to $100, 000, which was
more in concert with the proposal submitted when the service was
bid two years ago. George Hines noted that Town Counsel appears
to . have accomplished some progress in reducing the hours, and
would be inclined to favor a 2 1/2% increase rather than 5% level
with all other salary. Dan Ensminger asked what the hour projec-
tions for FY94 were and Town Counsel indicated that he could not
predict it. Gene Nigro reminded the Board of Selectmen about the
process of selection and that we elected to go with a retainer.
He indicated that he would support the increase and will keep an
eye on the level of service. Dan Ensminger felt that he would
support the increase out of a sense of fairness. Sally Hoyt in-
dicated that she would also. George Hines indicated that this
was sort of like a salary issue and while we are considering in-
creases of some salaries this year, the Town Counsel should be
evaluated along with other salary issues.
Bill Burditt joined the quorum at 7:55 p.m. He indicated that he
had attended the last unofficial Audit Committee Meeting and
there were only a couple of minor points. He presented a review
of the revenues and expenditures as projected, and noted that of
the $537, 000 increase in revenues, $257 , 000 would go for in-
creases in employee benefits, $200, 000 in debt service and state
and county assessments, leaving $148, 000. That yields an actual
increase of .63%, and based on current distributions, $92 , 000 and
$56,000 to the Town. The department requests were $2 . 1 million
dollars more than what is available, with $800, 000 of that for
schools, $700, 000 for rubbish, and $400, 000 for Public Works
capital. The schools currently get approximately 66% of the
Town's discretionary dollars. The Board talked about the School
Reform Bill and what that would mean to the Town of Reading. The
Town Manager recommended developing the budget assuming that
there would not be a School Reform Bill, and then being able to
react to that School Reform Bill within the school budget if
Board of Selectmen Meeting - January 26, 1993 - page 2
needed. Dan Ensminger recommended a process of prioritizing
through strategic planning involving the school and town func-
tions. Basically, the process would include outlining what was
mandatory services, what was mandatory but could be done with a
reduced level of service, and what was mandatory but could be
done on a fee basis. He outlined possible funding categories and
talked about possibilities of school choice, additional RMLD pay-
ments, an override, and reimbursement from the state for recy-
cling. He also talked about savings through downsizing, restruc-
turing, etc. Bill Burditt expressed concern about the budget
schedule. He feels that Town Meeting is expected to review the
budget too early while things are still in a state of flux. He
preferred to move the Town Meeting consideration of the budget
process back to early-to mid-May.
The Board decided that they wanted to spend most of their next
meeting reviewing budgets and would suggest postponing the Con-
stable hearing to February 16.
The Board reviewed the Public Works budget. They discussed the
Assistant Director's position and the need for additional level
of support. They asked for what the Director's view of the
department was and he responded that building maintenance was a
major issue. With respect to operations, the major changes are
at the top of the department. Beyond that he doesn't recommend
any changes, but is committed to an ongoing review of issues of
contracting, prioritizing, and developing better ways to do
things. The issue of a per-bag or flat fee for rubbish will be
discussed with the Solid Waste Advisory Committee next week.
Richard Radville spoke and suggested that the process outlined is
too complex. We should take a simple approach. If priorities
are Education and Public Safety, fully fund all requests for
those and do whatever you can with what's left.
On motion by Burditt seconded by Hines the Board voted to adjourn
at 10: 50 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0.
Resiectively Submitted
,Secret y