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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-01-28 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting January 28, 1992 The meeting convened at 7:40 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Eugene Nigro, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen George Hines, Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner, and the following list of interested parties: Lorraine Salter, Gaynell Knowlton, Patricia Donnelly, Jane Fiore, Amy Wettergreen, Richard Radville, Lois Bond, Nathan White, Steve Thomases, Anne Mark, Barbara Philbrick, David Nugent, Bill Murphy, Cathy Baranofsky, Nancy Shipes, Richard Howard, William Goodrich, Thomas Stohlman, Jonathan Barnes, Jonathan Edwards, Jim Keigley, Bill Burditt, Tim Twomey, Fred Conover, Steven Sullivan, George Shannon, John Fal- lon, Bob Munnelly, Lesley Wexler, Michael Marnik, and Elia Mar- nik. Mr. Nigro indicated that Mr. Ensminger would not be present because of a prior business commitment. There were no minutes to approve at this meeting. Liaison Reports George Hines indicated that he had attended the Budget Committee Meeting. Discussions took place relative to revenue projections, which resulted in an increase in State Aid, and a decrease in the use of free cash. This change does not free up substantial new money. Regarding spending, the discussion was level funding of the Schools and conversation about School Department modest cuts plus cuts on the municipal side. There is not yet agreement on this issue. George Hines indicated that there would be a serious reduction of municipal services plus a trash fee or getting out of the trash business. Hines also indicated that the Ice Rink Report will be ready in early February. They have agreed for- mally to designate the Nike Base on Haverhill Street as the primary area, and the Board needs to give the Town Manager direc- tion with regard to a traffic study. Concerns about conducting a traffic study by staff include instructional motion from Town Meeting, and a potential conflict. Eugene Nigro expressed concerns about a shortfall in revenues be- cause of a lower collection on excise tax and interest rates. Sally Hoyt indicated that she had attended a memorial service for Barbara Hewitt at the Congregational Church. She has received calls from citizens and employees regarding budget reorganiza- tion. She appreciates the calls and is listening. Public Comment Gail Wood indicated that she would agree with the concept of in- stituting a bimonthly water and sewer fee, but only when it be- comes cost effective. Jim Nugent objected to the dismantling of the Department of Human Services. They will have issues of lead paint and tanning booths to deal with this spring. He also felt that the Health Education Coordinator should be kept on the Town side of government. They have brought in . $75,000.00 in grants. The Health and Human Services Director has also brought in Haz- ardous Waste Collection Program, Curbside Recycling, and had sub- mitted a budget with no layoffs. Richard Radville indicated that Selectmen's Minutes - 1/28/92 - Page 2 he was in support of the Town Manager's budget proposals, espe- cially with regards to prioritizing schools and getting out of the trash business. Steve Thomases indicated that the Ice Rink Committee needs to make a report to the Board of Selectmen. He is concerned about the designation of the Nike Base as a primary site and Birch Meadow as a backup site. He finds the process frustrating since the interested parties have not had a forum for making a case to eliminate Birch Meadow from consideration. When the Ice Rink Committee makes a report to the Board of Selectmen he will want ten to fifteen minutes to make comments. Jane Fiore spoke on the Drug and Alcohol Task Force, and the value of the community input that the Task Force has made. Bob Silva spoke on the importance of the Drug and Alcohol Task Force to the Town and to the Police Department. Anne Mark indicated that the Solid Waste Advisory Committee would like to see the Director of Human Services position retained. Members of the Community Planning and Development Commission ap- peared before the Board of Selectmen to talk about economic development issues. They talked about the Master Plan and how economic development would increase revenues to the Town to the extent of $250, 000 per year short term and over $9 million per year eventually. They are proposing two warrant articles for the Annual Town Meeting in the Spring relating to the Planned Unit Development. They are also exploring the Main Street Program as to its applicability to Reading. CPDC talked about initiatives to reach out to the region, and to evaluate internal processes to be in a good position for economic development activities. They are looking for assistance from the Board of Selectmen regarding. promotion, leads on potential economic development in the com- munity, and supplying trained staff, including the Planner and Engineer. The Selectmens' role would be to support implementa- tion, and to do whatever they can through licenses and permits and through marketing. CPDC is having a hearing on February 10 on the two proposed warrant articles. The Board of Selectmen congratulated CPDC on their work, and suggested meeting one time per quarter with CPDC. The Recreation Committee met with the Board of Selectmen to ex- press concerns as to what the Committee's role was. Discussions related to privatization of the pool, Washington Park issues, the Spinning Wheel/budget issue, and supervisors hours were brought up. The concern on the part of the Recreation Committee is that they are giving a lot of time and their ideas are not being heard. The Board of Selectmen agreed to meet with the Recreation Committee periodically, and suggest that the Chairman correspond with the liaison to the Recreation Committee, Sally Hoyt. The FY93 Budget was discussed. The Town Manager laid out several areas as needing to formalize the sense of the Board of Selectmen. The Board agreed that we should use the revenue projections as outlined. It was suggested that we should formal- ize the process of evaluating revenue projections, including development of milestones. Russ Graham arrived at approximately 10:28 p.m. , having been absent for business reasons. Selectmen's Minutes - 1/28/92 - Page 3 The Board discussed level funding the School Budget. On motion by Graham, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to level fund the School Budget at $14,395,427. 00, by a vote of 3-1-0, with Hines against. Hines expressed concern about the effect of level fund- ing this budget on the Town side, with the Town needing to absorb $246, 000 worth of reductions. The Board did not make a decision on rubbish collection and disposal. The Board agreed .to meet on Tuesday, February 4, Saturday, February 8, and Tuesday, February 11. The Board will also meet on the 18th for closing of the War- rant. Russ Graham asked that we revisit the issue of free cash. The Ice Rink Site Selection Committee will be on the agenda for 2/11/92 for approximately thirty minutes. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee needs direction with regard to recycling. On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Graham, the Board voted to go into Executive Session for purposes of discussion of labor nego- tiations, and not to come back into open session. All four mem- bers present voting in the affirmative, the Board adjourned at 11:05 p.m. Resp ctfully submitted, ecret Y