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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-02-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting February 27, 1992 The meeting was called to order at 7: 35 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Eugene Nigro, Vice Chairman Dan Ensminger, Selectmen George Hines and Russ Graham, Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner, and the following list of interested parties: Gary Demopoulos, Anne Mark, Cathy Baranofsky, Jonathan Edwards, Ed Cirigliano, Helen Joyce, Jim Keigley, Nancy Shipes, Camille Anthony, Jim Biller, Ruth Cogan, Lois Bond, Jim Nugent, John Fal- lon, and Lesley Wexler. Liaison Reports George Hines had none; Dan Ensminger indicated that he had at- tended the Budget Committee meeting; Russ Graham indicated that he had attended the Berger/Morang Birthday Party, and that the YMCA has achieved its capital campaign fundraising goal of $700,000. Eugene Nigro had no report. The Town Manager reviewed the revised revenue and expenditure sheets. He handed out to the Board of Selectmen a rubbish sum- mary sheet which indicates a rubbish fee of $103 per household. The Board received a letter from Mr. Paul Antonelli and asked the Town Manager to look at the option of an every-other-week rubbish collection program. Bill Brown indicated that he thought the fee would be $63 , not $103. He wanted to know what the cost, including the fee is for this year; do we have the right to encumber the fees; do we have the right to use exclusive franchise and a single contractor. The $63 figure had been a very preliminary figure, calculated on the spur of the moment. The Town Manager reviewed the Community Development Budget with the Community Development Director. The Board asked about the status of regionalization of building inspection. Stoneham will be in the program, effective July 1. Wakefield is a question mark, and North Reading appears to be going its own way with a full time inspector. It was suggested that the Board of Selectmen meet with Selectmen from the other communities to see if we can get this program established effective July 1. The question was raised as to the revenues from building inspections versus the expenses. The Town Manager indicated that for the $140,000 expense budget for the Community Development Department, we received $190,000 in revenues. Using a common multiplier fac- tor for employee benefits and overhead, our expenses are con- siderably over our revenues. Stu LeClaire, Building Inspector, was asked if he had any comments and he indicated that he had none. Nancy Shipes presented to the Board of Selectmen a copy of the final published Master Plan. On motion by Hines, seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to support a Community Development Budget of $140,829 by a vote of 4-0-0. Selectmen's Minutes - 2/27/92 - Page 2 The Town Manager and Human Services Director reviewed the Human - Services Budget. Within the Health Division, there are questions about the Eastern Middlesex Human Services budget and whether ac- counting is properly done. Ms. Cogan indicated that it was. With regard to the EMARC budget, it serves 15 to 17 clients who are adult mentally retarded. It is a job training program. Mr. Nigro asked about problems that we have had in one of the group homes in Town, and whether or not the Human Services Department can work with the operators to make sure that there is better adult supervision. With regard to the Recreation budget, it was indicated that there is approximately $21,000 that is transferred from the Revolving Fund to the General Fund annually to cover the out-of-pocket expenses for the Town. George Hines felt that more hours were needed for the Recreation Program Supervisor. On motion by Hines, seconded by Ensminger, the Board moved to recommend a budget of $263,882 for Human Services. There was a motion by Hines to increase that amount by $2,940 to increase the hours of the Recreation Supervisor by ten percent. This motion was not seconded. The vote on the main motion was 3-1-0, with Hines opposed. The Board discussed Employee Benefits. On motion by Graham, seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to recommend a budget of $4,324,009 by a vote of 4-0-0. The Board discussed Debt Service. On motion by Graham, seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to recommend a budget for Debt Service in the amount of $1,462,844 by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Graham, the Board voted to reconsider the Public Safety Budget by a vote of 4-0-0. The Town Manager indicated that he had left out overtime for the Dis- patchers and a modification would be needed. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Graham, the Board considered a recommenda- tion of the Public Safety budget in the amount of $3,740,738. On motion by Hines, seconded by Ensminger, an amendment was offered to increase the Police Salary budget by $33,000 reflecting an in- crease in the total Public Safety budget to $3 , 773 , 738 . The amendment did not pass by a vote of 2-2-0. The main motion passed by a vote of 3-1-0 with Hines against. Selectmen Graham and Nigro indicated that they would probably support that change after they had finished going through the budget. On motion by Hines, seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to adjourn at 9:35 p.m. by a vote of 3-1-0, with Graham opposed. Resp tfully submitted, Secret " y