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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-06-15 Board of Selectmen Executive Session Minutes 9 Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Executive Session June 15, 1993 r The meeting convened at 8: 00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman Dan Ensminger, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Bill Burditt and Eugene Nigro, Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner, Finance Director Elizabeth Klepeis. Selectmen George Hines joined the quorum at approximately 8:25 p.m. The Board of Selectmen discussed the issue of equity between teachers salary increases and increases in salaries for other employees. The Board reviewed material submitted by the Town Manager, and the School Committee then joined the Board of Selectmen. Present for the School Committee were Chairman Matt Cummings, School Committee members Tim Twoomey, Roberta D'Antonna, Susan Cavicchi, Superintendent of Schools Robert Mun- nelly. On motion by Cavicchi seconded by Twoomey the School Com- mittee voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of dis- cussion of labor negotiations not to come into open session. All four members present voted in the affirmative and the School Com- mittee joined the Executive Session. The Town Manager distributed a letter from Thomas Stohlman in- dicating that he would not be able to attend the meeting tonight, but expressing support for a comprehensive review of budget issues. The Town Manager reviewed material on the financial con- dition of the Town, the cost of the teacher's contract settle- ment, comparison of salary levels between the Town and School for custodial, secretarial and clerical positions, committments made for FY94 with regard to salaries. The School Committee brought the group up-to-date on where they were with contract settle- ments: cafeteria FY93 - 0, FY94 - 1.5%, FY95 - 2 .5% - this has almost been agreed to, but after the override discussion, the cafeteria has come back with a request of 0-3-3 and will probably go to mediation. The offer to the Educational Assistants is 0-0-2%. The Union has pretty much agreed to the two zeros, but they want a wage reopener in FY95. The School Department has offered the secretaries 0-0-1.5%. They are close to settlement on 0-0 for FY93 and FY94. The School Department has offered the custodians 0-1-1.5%. The custodians are "insulted that they were not offered 2 1/2% for FY94. 11 The Principals have been offered 0-4-3% and they are in mediation not so much over the issue of money, but to eliminate the ratio system between teachers' salaries and principal salaries. Dan Ensminger asked the School Department how they cost contracts - what is the process. When they make an offer, do they know the impact. He was concerned that the .Town's financial staff has not Board of Selectmen Executive Session - June 15, 1993 - page 2 been asked to cost these contracts. The School Committee responded that they look at individual impacts - ie. knowing what teachers are leaving etc. George Hines asked with regard to the teachers' contract what givebacks were received and exchanged for the 11% increase over three years. It was indicated that there were no givebacks. School Committee has the right to start as early as September 1 if Labor Day is on the 6th or 7th. They have 185 teaching days and the students have 181 or 182 days of school. There are some minor language changes dealing with health conditions and sexual harrassment. There is no language on class size. There was some discussion on early release days and whether or not this resulted in fewer hours being taught. It was indicated that the early release day was developed years ago by taking the same number of hours but dividing it into four long days and one short day. We are well over the state minimum of 900 hours of instruction for elementary schools and 960 hours for secondary schools. Our teachers work longer days than most. The School Committee indicated that they had consciously decided to go with a higher increase for the teachers because they are the basic service providers within the School Department. All of the other unions are aware of that. They are doing this to halt teacher flight. The School Committee indicated that if the Town is going to a 4 or 4 1/2% increase in FY95 then the School Com- mittee needs to discuss that and perhaps offer that kind of an increase also. At this point the School Committee adjourned their meeting on a motion by Cavicci seconded by Twoomey and all four members voting in the affirmative. The Town Manager handed out the proposals for the purchase of Pearl Street School and there was some discussion on them. The major discussion will take place through the Evaluation Com- mittee. The Board of Selectmen asked for some clarification on what we can ask in terms of clarification of the proposals as part of the evaluation process; and how the proposals will be evaluated for being responsive or nonresponsive - is this based only on the submittal or can clarification questions be asked. The Board discussed Bear Hill property sale. The Town Manager reviewed the latest proposed agreement. The Board asked if the seven year window of opportunity for conversion to condominiums could be extended, perhaps on some kind of declining basis after seven years until 10 years. On motion by Nigro seconded by Burditt the Board voted to approve the minutes of May 25, 1993 by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Burditt seconded by Nigro the Board voted to adjourn the Executive Session at 11: 05 p.m. All five members present voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried. i Minutes of the Board of Selectmen June 15, 1993 The meeting convened at 8: 00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman Dan Ensminger, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Bill Burditt and Eugene Nigro, Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner, Finance Director Elizabeth Klepeis. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of labor nego- tiations and sale of real estate, as well as approval of minutes, not to come into open session. All four members present voted in the affirmative and the Board adjourned to Executive Session. Respectfully submitted, Secr ary