Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-09-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting September 7, 1993 The meeting was convened at. 7:02 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Eugene Nigro, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Dan Ensminger and Bill Burditt, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Counsel Theodore Cohen, O. Bradley Latham, Drew Dolben and the following list of interested parties: Deirdre Hanley, Nancy Smethurst, Allison DaSilva, Gary Demopoulos, Theresa Bond, Elia Marnik, Mary Andreola, Mary Mundjer, Silva Gerety, Nancy Eaton, Cathy Quimby. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of the nego- tiation of sale and real estate, to come back into open session at approximately 8:00 p.m. All five members present voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried. The Board reconvened in open session at 8:05 p.m. Approval of Minutes On motion by Hoyt seconded by Nigro the minutes of August 3, 1993 were approved as amended by a vote of 4-0-1 with Ensminger abstaining. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the Board approved the minutes of the meeting of August 17, 1993 as amended by a vote of 4-0-1 with Ensminger abstaining. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Nigro the Board approved the minutes of August 24, 1993 by a vote of 5-0-0. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments Dan Ensminger indicated that he had attended the reception for Dennis Richards, the new Assistant Superintendent. He commended the Town Manager for the creation of the Swimming Pool Task Force. Eugene Nigro indicated that he had attended the CPDC meeting where a discussion took place about marketing of the Reading Business Park. He also has attended planning meetings for the Library's 10th Anniversary Celebration, a meeting establishing a donation policy, and a meeting regarding Sign Bylaws being proposed by CPDC. He asked that a copy of the Sign Bylaws be distributed to the Selectmen. Bill Burditt attended an RMLD walk through of the new site and also saw the new electric vehicle which will be tested for meter reader use. He attended a Tax Classification Task Force meeting, and they will be meeting again this Thursday. The Task Force will be making their presentation to the Board of Assessors and a final report to the Board of Selectmen in late October - early November. Board of Selectmen Meeting - 9/7/93 - page 2 Sally Hoyt reviewed the Adopt-A-Kid Program in which 49 families need help with back to school clothing for their youngsters; the Hazardous Waste Collection Program is scheduled for October 16. She welcomed Dennis Richards as Assistant Superintendent of ' Schools. She attended the MWRA tour of Deer Island. The project is 50% completed and $500 million under budget. Additional Federal and State financial support is required. George Hines met with the School Committee Chairman and looks forward to a good cooperative year with the School Department. He also had another session with the folks from South Street and this will be discussed with the Board of Selectmen under Execu- tive Session litigation. Public Comment Sally MacDonald spoke. She indicated that she is a Reference Librarian at the Reading Public Library. Several coworkers were present. She spoke on behalf of the entire staff and noted that Elia Marnik from the Board of Trustees and Deirdre Hanley, Library Director, were also present. She wanted to put a com- plaint on record. Thursday of last week the Town Manager met with the Director and Division Heads and indicated that the Public Works union ratified a contract for 4% for FY94 and 4.5% for FY95. The Town Manager previously indicated that 2 . 5% was the maximum raise, but this 2 .5% guideline for FY94 has been su- perceded for a certain group. The Library's expectation is for equal treatment. They understand that the extra 1.5% is to buy out workers comp past practices to which the employees were not entitled by law. The bottom line for the Library employees is that DPW workers will take home more. She asked if belonging to the union was necessary in order to be fairly treated. Library employees accepted two years of 0% increases and spread them- selves thinner. Many of the employees are single heads of household. The Library staff has been praised. She asked how the Board intended to rectify this situation. George Hines indi- cated that the Board had a concern for equitable treatment and that this will be dealt with in the appropriate forum. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager indicated that the Fine and Performing Arts group in Reading will hold a "Kick-off" meeting on Saturday, Sep- tember 11. He has awarded the contract for the Regional Household Collection program to Laidlaw Inc. The Town Auction is set for October 2 at the High School. The Task Force to review the issue of Tax Classification has been established and Steven Cool is the Chairman. The Washington and Main Street construction project is out to bid with bids due 9/22/93 . Seeding and landscaping work on all other construction projects will be done in September and October in- cluding the planting of trees on Woburn, Middle, and Pleasant Streets. Line striping will be done within the next couple of weeks on Woburn and Salem Streets. There will be corrective work on Harnden and Salem Streets. Design work is being started on upper Pearl Street. i i Board of Selectmen Meeting - 9/7/93 - page 3 The Board of Selectmen have received the finalized FY94 goals. The Town Manager has suggested the establishment of a Task Force to review the short and long range needs with regard to the Town's swimming pool and also to review DPW operations and space needs. A Park Planning Subcommittee of the Recreation Committee has prepared a draft plan which will be presented to the Board of Selectmen at a later date. There has been a change in Cable TV rates. The Water Supply Protection Task Force meets this week. The Water/Sewer Advisory Committee will be meeting with regard to sewer rate revisions. Gene Nigro asked the Parking, Traffic and Transportation Task Force to look at the intersection of the ac- cess to the municipal parking lot on Woburn Street to see if we could eliminate one parking space and make access easier. Addi- tionally, the Board will receive a report on the issue raised at the previous meeting on the sale of explosives at Pleasant Market. George Hines noted that Gary Demopoulos will be leaving the Read- ing Times Chronicle to take another position. He expressed thanks on behalf of the community for his past six and one half years in working with the Town. Personnel and Appointments Approval of AFSCME - DPW Contract - On motion by Burditt seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to approve the collective bargaining agreement between the Town of Reading and AFSCME Local 1703 Department of Public Works, for the term July 1, 1992 through June 30, 1995; the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen is authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the Board of Selectmen. The Town Manager noted that this contract for three years has a 0%, 4%, and 4 .5% increase. The 4% increase for FY94 meets guidelines because there is a significant buy back of past workers compensation practices which meets or exceeds the addi- tional 1. 50. The Board thanked the Town Manager and the union for the agreement. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Recreation Committee - The Board interviewed candidates for the Recreation Committee position. William H. Buckley and John McGrath were interviewed. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the following names were placed into nomination for a term on the Recreation expiring June 30, 1994: William H. Buckley and John McGrath. Mr. McGrath received 5 votes and was appointed to the position. Mr. Buckley will consider an associate membership. Historical Commission - The Board postponed action on the His- torical Commission. Council on Aging - The Board interviewed Mary F. Mundjer and Sandra Jean Trainor for a position on the Council on Aging. On motion by Burditt seconded by Nigro the Board placed into nomina- tion the following names for a term on the Council on Aging ex- piring June 30, 1996: Mary F. Mundjer and Sandra Jean Trainor. Ms. Mundjer received three votes and Ms. Trainor received two votes and Ms. Mundjer was appointed. Board of Selectmen Meeting - 9/7/93 - page 4 Arts Council - The Board considered applicants for a position on the Arts Council. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt, Lee Selzer was appointed for a term on the Arts Council expiring June 30, 1995 by a 'vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt, Jeanne M. Freeman was ap- pointed to a position on the Arts Council for a term expiring June 30, 1995 by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board interviewed Timothy R. Twoomey. The Town Manager was directed to do research to determine whether an elected official can be on the Council. This will be postponed for action at a later date. Hazardous Waste Committee - David Beaulieu was interviewed for a position on the Hazardous Waste Committee. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Nigro, David W. Beaulieu was appointed to a term on the Hazardous Waste Committee expiring June 30, 1994 by a vote of 5-0-0. Cable TV Committee - Silva Gerety was interviewed for a position on the Cable TV Advisory Committee representing the School Department. She was recommended by the school administration. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt .the Board appointed Silva Gerety for a term on the Cable TV Advisory Committee .expiring -- June 30, 1995 by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board discussed the issue of supporting efforts to gain -local control over speed limits on local streets. The consensus of the Board was that they supported such a position and Mr. Hines will convey that support to the next DPW Subcommittee of the Mass Municipal Association. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of approval of minutes and litigation not to come into open session. Respectfully submitted, -Secrecy f