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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-06-30 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting June 30, 1992 The meeting was convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmens Meeting --- Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman Dan Ensminger, Vice Chairman George Hines , Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Bill Burditt and Eugene Nigro, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Peter Telis, Anthony Alba, Jim Guptill, Betty Guptill , Pat O'Brien, Peter Garchinsky, Bill Keefe, Kevin Paterson, Chief Mar- chand, Mike Cloonan, Lt. Silva, Ron Wood, Mark Dwyer, Nancy L. Eaton, Stephen A. Ballou, William F. Campbell, Philip B. Pacino, Leonard Redfern, Mary J. Andreola, Gordon Sargent, Gary Demopoulos, Gregory Burns, Peter Marchetti, William C. Brown, Jim Keigley, Jim Biller, Frank Driscoll, William J. Hughes, Jr. , Linda A. Bernat, Allan Ames, David Swyter, Michael Belmonte, Al- den Wood, John Silvaggi, Maria E. Silvaggi , George B. Perry, Daniel F. Driscoll, John Coote, Sal Mele, Thomas Freeman, Jr. , John F. McCauley, Carol Edwards, Robert A. Brown, Anne P. Mark, and Sharon K. Ofenstein. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to go into Executive Session for purposes of labor negotiations to come back into Open Session at approximately 8: 00 p.m. All five members voted in the affirmative, and the meeting was adjourned to Execu- tive Session. The Board of Selectmen came back into Open Session at 8:20 p.m. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve the Minutes of June 16, 1992 as amended by vote of 5-0-0. Liaison Report Bill Burditt indicated that he had attended the Police Reserves Dinner. had attended the retirement event for Peter Vincent from the Fire Department; and met with the Finance Director and Town Accountant. Sally Hoyt indicated that the tire and battery collection was a success with 1100 tires and 185 batteries collected. The Hearing Clinic had 44 people but there was no follow-up because of the elimination of the Public Health Nurse. Mosquito spraying will take place on 7/7/92 . She attended the School Committee Meeting at which they discussed the Assistant Superintendent position. She attended the 350th Parade Committee Meeting - the parade is set for June 4 , 1994 and will be a three and one half mile parade. With regard to legislation, it is anticipated that state aid will be level funded; that full funding of the lottery will yield an additional $65,900 to the Town of Reading; that Chapter 7.0 funds for school building reimbursement are available; and that there is no change in the early retirement program. Gene Nigro indicated that he had attended the Police Reserves Dinner and was concerned that this group is not being fully util- ized. He plans on discussing this further with Dan Ensminger. George Hines indicated that he had met with the Town Manager, Selectmens Minutes - 6/30/92 - page 2 Public Works Director and Chairman of the Board of Selectmen regarding the Public Works Director's position and the role of the Director to meet future needs. The Town Manager will put together a proposal. Dan Ensmi.nger indicated that he had attended the meeting with the Public Works Director, Town Manager and Mr. Hines. He also had attended the-->FinCom Appointment Committee Meeting and was pleased to announce that Richard Coco, Bill Murphy and James Keigley were appointed to FinCom positions expiring 6/30/95. He has met with the Birch Meadow Task Force. Public Comment The Community Service Award was signed for Alex Svirsky, a new Eagle Scout. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board approved a tem- porary Class II motor vehicle license for Route 28 Sales at 4 Minot Street for 30 days effective July 1, 1992 , effective for a maximum number of 18 vehicles to be sold, and subject to all con- ditions of the previous license. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board directed that a copy of the Class II motor vehicle license policy be given to the applicant. Discussion/Action Items The Town Manager and the Town Clerk presented the redistricting plan. It was indicated that the proposed changes were the mini- mum needed in order to meet federal and state guidelines for equalization of the population within the precincts. Some Senate districts may be changed and residents may not be aware of that. This will go into effect for the Town Election in the spring of 1993 . All registered voters will receive a notice of their precinct and voting place. All Town Meeting members will have to run for election next March. This has to be done every 10 years upon the completion of the decennial census. On motion by Hines seconded by Nigro the Board voted to approve the redistricting plan of precincts in accordance with the memo dated June 12, 1992 from Jonathan Edwards and the attached map entitled "Proposed Precincts" all in accordance with state law and Section 2-2 of the Reading Home Rule Charter. Chief Redfern discussed with the Board of Selectmen the issue of Fire Department staffing. The budget as approved by Town Meeting , showed a reduction to three lieutenants, and maintaining the num- ber of firefighters as is currently the case. The Chief argued that we should retain the number of command officers including lieutenants at the current level - four captains and four lieutenants , and make the reduction in the firefighter rank. Reduction will be made through attrition. Reducing the lieutenants position would not save any money, and in fact could cost some additional money because of the need to replace a com- mand officer out of grade. There was concern that one could lose the continuity of command by having a firefighter act out of grade as often as would have to be the case. He indicated that Reading has the lowest staffed department in metro-Boston area especially in the command staff. All work including inspections Selectmens Minutes - 6/30/92 - page 3 is done in service. Additionally, the Chief pointed out that eliminating this position would be a morale problem. Firefighters Driscoll, Marchetti, Burns, Ballou, Campbell, Dwyer and Wood spoke in support of the Chief's position. Bill Brown indicated that if the Town was not going to have a single Fire Station, which had been recommended by the Fire Station Com- mittee, then they would have to live with this command structure. The Town Manager indicated that he would recommend retaining the current command structure for FY93 with the clear understanding that there is no commitment beyond FY93 . He felt that since there is no cost savings by eliminating the lieutenant's posi- tion, and since there are some savings through attrition, that we should not make this change which might be a temporary change. The consensus of the Selectmen was to agree with the Town Manager's position. No vote was required. Personnel & Appointments The Board of Selectmen meeting with the four remaining members of the Reading Municipal Light Board interviewed Bill Brown for the vacant position on the Light Board. Phil Pacino on behalf of the RMLD Board expressed thanks and appreciation to Jim O'Leary for his service. Bill Brown discussed his background as a Town Meet- ing member for 25 years, and a resident for 60 years. He indi- cated that he was satisfied with information from the RMLD as it has been presented. He feels that the Town could get a better benefit from the RMLD. He has no expertise in the _field of electric utilities, but has a broad background in Town govern- ment. He is not now serving on any other Board, Committee or Commission although he has been on study committees. Mr. Pacino indicated that he felt that Mr. Brown would be a good member of the committee. Mr. Nigro indicated that he felt that Mr. Brown would work hard. Mr. Hines asked if Mr. Brown would intend to run for election in March and Mr. Brown indicated that he would. The Town Manager indicated that the other applicant - Charles Ar- thur had verbally withdrawn his application. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt a motion was made at a joint meeting of the Reading .Municipal Light Board and the Board of Selectmen, acting as a committee of the whole, that William C. Brown be appointed to an unexpired term on the Reading Municipal Light Board effective July 1, 1992 expiring March 23, 1993 pur- suant to the applicable provisions of state law and the Reading Home Rule Charter. All five members of the Board of Selectmen, and all four members of the Reading Municipal Light Board voted in the affirmative and Mr. Brown was appointed. Chairman Dan Ensminger read Tony Fletcher's letter of resignation as Director of Public Works. Gene Nigro expressed thanks that he will be seeing the Senior Center through completion. The Board continued its appointment process. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines the Board placed in nomination the following for terms on the Council on Aging expiring 6/30/95 - Mary Andreola, Dorothy Foxon and Rosemary DeLacey. Ms. Andreola Selectmens Minutes - 6/30/92 - page 4 received five votes and was appointed for a term to expire 6/30/95. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the names of Dorothy Foxon and Rosemary DeLacey were placed in nomination for terms on the Council on Aging expiring 6/30/94. Ms. Foxon received five votes and was appointed to that term. The Board discussed the Constable's positions. Mr. Hughes and Mr. Belmonte were interviewed. Mr. Freeman and Mr. Mele were present and had previously been interviewed. The Board discussed how many Constables the Town should have. By Charter there can be up to five. The Town currently has two Constables. Bill Hughes felt that two is enough, unless the scope of Constable work is broadened. He felt that he could get approval from the County to work the polls one day a year even though he is an elected official. Gene Nigro and George Hines expressed an in- terest in expanding the number of Constables and potentially ex- panding the role to do other work. They also felt that bringing another Constable on board at this time would be good on-the-job training. Bill Burditt indicated that he was opposed to using Constables for working at the polls. Sally Hoyt asked if she would be able to vote on the number of Constables and she was given guidance that the same guidelines that applied to her voting on appointing a Constable should apply to this issue. On motion by Hines seconded by Nigro a motion to appoint four Constables and therefore increase the total number of Constables to five failed by a vote of 2-2-1 with Hoyt abstaining. A motion by Nigro seconded by Hines to appoint three new Con- stables increasing the total number to four, was defeated by vote of 2-2-1 with Hoyt abstaining. . On motion by Nigro seconded by Hines a motion to appoint two new Constables increasing the total number to three was approved by vote of 4-0-1 with Hoyt abstaining. On motion by Hines seconded by Nigro the names of William Hughes, Salvatore Mele, Michael Belmonte, and Thomas. Freeman were placed in nomination for a position as Constable expiring 6/30/95. Mr. Hughes received four votes and was appointed to this term. On motion by Hines seconded by Nigro the names of Thomas Freeman, Salvatore Mele and Michael Belmonte were place in nomination for a term as Constable expiring 6/30/94 . Mr. Belmonte received three votes, Mr. Mele received one vote, Mr. Freeman received no votes and Mr. Belmonte was appointed. For an unexpired term on the Recreation Committee expiring 6/30/93, the name of Gordon Richards was placed in nomination on motion by Hines seconded by Nigro. The appointment was unanim- ously approved by vote of 5-0-0. For the Cemetery Board of Trustees, Alden Wood was interviewed. On motion by Hines seconded by Nigro the names of Carl Amon, Dan Selectmens Minutes - 6/30/92 - page 5 Driscoll and Alden Wood were placed in nomination for a term ex- piring 6/30/95 . Mr. Amon received four votes, Mr. Driscoll received five votes and Mr. Wood received one vote and Messrs Amon and Driscoll were appointed. Bob Brown was interviewed for a position on the Solid Waste Com- mittee. On motion by Hines seconded by Nigro the names of Carol Edwards and Bob Brown were placed in nomination for terms expir- ing 6/30/95. Each received five votes and both were appointed for terms on the Solid Waste Committee expiring 6/30/95. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt Ben Nichols was nominated for a position on the Town Forest Committee expiring 6/30/95. All five members voted for Mr. Nichols, and he was appointed to that term. There were no applicants for the Water and Sewer Advisory Com- mittee. Ron Wood was interviewed for a position on the Zoning Board of Appeals. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the names of Ardith Wieworka, John Coote and Ron Wood were placed in nomination for a regular term on the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term expiring 6/30/95. Ardith Wieworka received five votes and was elected to that position. On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the names of John Coote and Ron Wood were placed in nomination for an Associate Member on -' the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term expiring 6/30/95. John Coote received five votes and was appointed to that position. For the Community Planning and Development Commission Mr. Baillie withdrew his name at this time but would like to be considered at some future date when a vacancy occurs. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the names of Jonathan Barnes and Richard Howard were placed in nomination for terms on the CPDC to expire on 6/30/95. Each received five votes and both were appointed. For the Conservation Commission on motion by Hines seconded by Nigro the names of Jennifer Lachmayr, Joan Nickerson and Ron Wood were placed in nomination for two terms expiring 6/30/95. Ms. Lachmayr and Ms. Nickerson each received five votes and both were appointed for terms expiring 6/30/95. On the Fair Housing Committee, there was only one incumbent in- terested in being reappointed. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Nigro the name of Margaret Plansky was placed in nomination for a term on the Fair Housing Committee for a term expiring 6/30/95. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0 and Ms. Plansky was appointed. On the Historical Commission on motion by Hines seconded by Bur- ditt the names of Sharon Ofenstein, John McCauley. and Rosemarie DeLacey were placed in nomination for regular terms expiring 6/30/95. Ms. Ofenstein and Mr. McCauley received five votes each and each was appointed. Selectmens Minutes - 6/30/92 - page 6 On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the names of Frank Or- lando, Nancy Smethurst and Rosemarie DeLacy were placed in nomination for Associate Members for terms to expire 6/30/93. Each received five votes and each was appointed as an Associate. Frank Driscoll applied for Custodian of Soldiers and Sailors Graves. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines Mr. Driscoll was ap- pointed for -a term expiring 6/30/93 by vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to table items D, E, and F until later . in the evening. The motion was ap- proved by vote of 5-0-0. on motion by Nigro seconded by Hines George Perry was appointed to a term on the Land Bank Committee for a. term expiring 6/30/95 by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hines the names of Adrienne McMahon, Christopher Vaccaro, Ronald Wood, and Maria Silvaggi were placed in nomination for terms on the Reading Housing Partnership Committee for terms expiring 6/30/95. Ms. McMahon received five votes, Mr. Vaccaro received five votes, Mr. Wood received on vote, and Maria Silvaggi received five votes. Ms. McMahon, Mr. Vaccaro and Ms. Silvaggi were appointed for terms on the Reading Housing Partnership Committee for terms expiring 6/30/95. On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt item 7D was taken off the table by vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to reject the bid by the Lord's Gathering for the purchase of the Pearl Street School determining that acceptance of said bid is not in the best interest of the Town of Reading. The motion was approved by vote of 4-1-0 with Ensminger voting against. Nigro indicated that the Board found it in the best in- terest of the Town to retain the property, continue to operate it and maintain it until such time as the real estate market im- proves and the property can be sold for a more reasonable price. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to take item 7E off the table. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board voted to approve an amendment to the Town's Health Insurance agreement which will increase for FY93 the Town's contribution to the Employee Health Insurance Program to 70%, and authorized the Town Manager to sign on behalf the Town. The Town Manager explained that this was possible because reserves had been set up and are not available for other purposes but can be spent for the Employees Health In- surance. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Burditt seconded by Nigro the Board voted to take item 7F off the table by vote of 5-0-0 . The Board discussed their meeting schedule and agreed to meet on July 14 in regular session, July 21 in executive session to discuss the ice rink, August 4 in regular session and August 25 in regular session. Selectmens Minutes - 6/30/92 - page 7 Gene Nigro indicated that Mr. Samalis has contacted him about meeting with the Board of Selectmen. The Town Manager will cor respond with Mr. and Mrs. Samalis and indicate that the Board would be willing to meet with them if they would like. Mr. Hines indicated that parents need, to meet their responsibility in resolving situations of this type. Sally Hoyt indicated that she would like to attend the July 4 parade in Wakefield. On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the Board voted to adjourn at 11:30 p.m. All voted in favor and the motion was carried by vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secr ary