HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-01-21 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of selectmen Meeting
January 21, 1992
The meeting was convened at 7:02 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting
Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were
Chairman Eugene Nigro, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen George
Hines and Russell Graham and Town Manager Peter I .
Hechenbleikner. The Chairman noted that Mr. Ensminger was unable
to attend because of a prior business commitment.
On motion by Graham, seconded by Hines, the Board voted to go
into Executive Session for purposes of discussing land acquisi-
tion, and labor negotiations updates, and to come back into open
session at approximately 7:30 p.m. All four members voted in the
affirmative and the motion was carried. At 7:48 p.m. , the Board
went back into open session. Present were Chairman Eugene Nigro,
Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen George Hines and Russell Graham,
Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner and the following interested
citizens: Brad Latham, Mike McCaffrey, Tom Stohlman, Steve
Thomases, Anne Mark, Richard Radville, and Bill Burditt.
Selectman Hines left to attend the School Committee Meeting and
planned to return at a later time.
There were no minutes to approve.
Liaison Reports
Sally Hoyt indicated that she had attended Mike Shannon's Eagle
Scout Court of Honor. She has received calls regarding the Fire
Station/Senior Center. She has received a number of calls
regarding reorganization.
Russ Graham indicated that the Capital Improvements Advisory Com-
mittee Task Force had met. He extended sympathies on the behalf
of the Board of Selectmen to Charlie Hewitt over the passing away
of his wife Barbara.
Eugene Nigro suggested that the Board of Selectmen discuss reor-
ganization outside the budget process. He has received a number
of calls regarding the Senior Center Grant.
Public Comment
Carroll McMillan submitted a petition gathered by the Reading
Taxpayers Association suggesting that the Board of Selectmen
reject any consideration for a Prop 2-1/2 override being placed
on the March ballot.
On motion by Graham, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve
the waiver of precinct registration for the upcoming election by
a vote of 3-0-0.
On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Graham, the Board voted to approve
the release of the easements on Partridge Road by a vote of 3-0-
0.
The Board discussed the 128 Sales licenses and it was agreed that
they would be asked to come before the Board of Selectmen. The
Board discussed the Saturday budget session but did not agree on
a session at this time.
Selectmen's Minutes - 1/21/92 - Page 2
Matt Cummings appeared before the Board of Selectmen on behalf of
the School Committee. He felt that the School Committee needs an
additional $400 , 000 . 00 for schools, even though the Town
Manager's proposal is to level fund the schools. He asked the
Board to restore as close to $1 million as possible.
The Board discussed the revised budget proposal. The Town
Manager had submitted a budget which would reduce the amount of
reorganization. The Board expressed concerns about eliminating
the Community Development Department head's function. They asked
for an estimate of the percentage of the library activity
directed to the schools, and why the school library could not
fulfill all of its needs - the reason is because of the size of
their collection and the hours that they are in operation.
The Board questioned the feasibility of the Public Safety con-
solidation. They asked about privatizing the ambulance. There
was concern expressed over the Park User Fees and whether or not
we would be able to continue to maintain the parks, even though
people were paying for them. Russ Graham felt that a couple of
positions - the Planner/CD Director , and the Health
Director/Human Services Director proposals would cost the Town
two valuable employees at very little return. Graham also felt
that the budget shows that we are close to meeting all of our re-
quirements without raising money through an override. They sug-
gest that we have further revenue discussions, and that we should
meet Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
On motion by Graham, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to go into
Executive Session to discuss labor relations and not to come back
into open session. Four members voting in the affirmative, the
Board adjourned to Executive Session.
Resp ctful�l.,y submitted,
a1 .
ecret y
Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Executive Session
January 21, 1992 - Part B
The Executive Session reconvened at 11: 00 p.m. Present were
Chairman Eugene Nigro, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen George
Hines and Russ Graham and Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner.
The members reviewed the Firefighters settlement proposal. The
Town Manager indicated that the firefighters had expressed con-
cern about the Board not approving the settlement agreement.
There was a sense to consider this issue at the next meeting.
The Town Manager distributed to the Board of Selectmen a break-
down of the Health Insurance costs based on a 60/40 split with
the employees. He felt that the employees would agree to the
60/40 split even though there is significant additional costs to
the employees. The Board asked for a breakdown on what the costs
would be for the employees in the Town on a 70/30 split.
On motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to adjourn
its Executive Session at 11:25 p.m. The motion passed by an af-
firmative vote of all present.
Resp ctfully submitted,
ecret4 y