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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-08-17 Board of Selectmen Minutes t I Board of Selectmen Minutes August 17, 1993 The meeting convened at 7:35 p.m. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Eugene Nigro, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectman Bill Burditt, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, and the following list of interested parties: Salvatore Mele, Leslie York, Irene York, Nancy Eaton, Ben Nichols, Ron Wood, Deirdre Hanley, and Ross McGurn from the Chronicle. The Chairman indicated that this meeting was established for one purpose - to review goals for FY94. However, he has been re- quested to allow comments from two parties. Sally Hoyt indicated that the Town has received additional State Aid in the amount of $680,000. Additionally, President Clinton has proposed an Anti-Crime Package. He has indicated that the first duty of government is to keep our citizens safe. Ms. Hoyt suggested that we begin to add Police Officers by restoring one Police Officer this year, and one per year until we get to the maximum of 43 . The salary will be approximately $32,000 for an Officer with a Bachelors Degree. With respect to municipal workers, she indicated that we are working towards making their pay increases equitable in the distant future. . George Hines responded that we are working with the Police Department. They will be getting back to us with some specific proposals. Among those will be an evaluation of implementing a community oriented policing program. The Town of Reading is not in crisis in the public safety area. The Town Manager indicated that he felt we should develop a specific plan of what we need to add and what services the Town will be getting for that addition. Bill Burditt spoke and indicated that he was liaison to Public Safety, and he felt that we would be ready to address these issues in the not to distant future. Sal Mele expressed concern for adding additional Police Officers. Ben Nichols indicated that he was interested in zoning enforce- ment. Chairman George Hines indicated that the goals as outlined are ambitious and outlined a lot of work to be done. We need to have a means to measure performance on a periodic basis. The Town Manager indicated that after general community goals are estab- lished, departments will be asked to develop goals consistent with them. The meeting was interrupted momentarily so that John Upton, Sta- tion Manager of Channel 3 Cable TV, could present a plaque of ap- preciation to Gary Cormier for his seven years of service to Con- tinental Cable. Board of Selectmen Meeting - August 17, 1993 - page 2 The following were expressed as highest priority goals: 1. Improve relations between the Town government and the School Department. 2. Support the various volunteer policy making bodies of the Town. 3. Further improve the Capital Improvement Plan and its funding proposals. 4. Improve the coorporate efforts between the School Department and the rest of the Town Departments. 5. Complete the Pay and Classification Plan for non-union per- sonnel. 6. Expand and focus the Town's emphasis on economic develop- ment. 7. Improve the enforcement of the Zoning Bylaws. 8. Improve the focus of the Department of Public Works and all other appropriate departments on the protection of the Town's water supply. 9. Expand the focus of the community on public safety issues. 10. Work towards a five-year budget plan for all municipal serv- ices and revenues. The second priorities were as follows: 1. Develop a mechanism of feedback from the public about specific local government services and about services in general. 2. Develop a mechanism to ensure that all employees, union and non-union alike, are treated equitably in terms of pay and working conditions. 3. Complete the review and modification of Personnel Policies. 4. Develop a mechanism to properly recognize the role of Town employees in providing services to the community. 5. Continue to pursue the sale of Town-owned real estate in ac- cordance with the direction of Town Meeting consistent with the Master Plan. 6. Develop a dialogue on the issue of violence in the community and appropriate community defenses against and responses to acts of violence. 7. Discuss within the community the issue of race relations in Reading. 8. Further improve public information about their government to residents of the Town. 9. Improve the documentation of routine procedures for all departments. 10. Establish and agree upon departmental mission statements, short and long range measurable department goals. 11. Improve the identity of the community and reduce sign clut-' ter. The following issues were important but lower priority: 1. Explore the development of a community alternative dispute resolution program. i Board of Selectmen Meeting - August 17, 1993 - page 3 2 . Complete the inventory of Town owned land and evaluate all properties for current and future public use. 3 . Continue to take a lead in regional issues important to Reading. 4. Evaluate the incorporation of various Town activities into the electronic highways and use other technological advances that can further improve productivity and enhance our goal to serve our customers. 5 . Develop a program of funding the acquisition, development, operation and maintenance of recreation, cemetery and open spaces within Reading. 6. Update the Board. of Selectmen Policy Book. 7. Update and revise Traffic Rules and Regulations. 8. Complete the evaluation of the Town's conformance with the ADA regulations and develop a strategy of compliance. The Board noted that some of these goals are really part of an ongoing process of government and should be included in the or- ganizational culture. Ben Nichols indicated that the Town Clerk keeps a record of in- structional motions. We should also keep a record of Zoning Board of Appeals decisions and whether they are carried out. Ad- ditionally, we should keep a list of accessory apartments that . have been approved and make sure that the approvals have been re- corded in the Registry of Deeds. The Town Manager indicated that one other goal for FY94 is to have a terrific 350th Birthday Party. Ben Nichols reminded the Board that they will be perambulating the boundaries of the Town this Fall. The Town Manager will organize the goals and suggest milestones for review. These goals will then be circulated for final review by the Board prior to circulation among all Departments, Boards, Committees and Commissions. On motion by Burditt seconded by Nigro the Board voted to adjourn at 9:38 p.m. All four members voted in the affirmative and the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Secreta y