Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-09-08 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting September 8, 1992 The meeting was convened at 7:04 p.m. in the Selectmens Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were - ' Chairman Dan Ensminger, vice Chairman George Hines, Selectmen Bill Burditt and Eugene Nigro, and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hines the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of the approval of Minutes and labor negotiations and to come back into Open Session no later than 7:45 p.m. All four members present voted in the affirmative and the meeting was adjourned to Executive Session. The Selectmen reconvened in Open Session at 7:44 p.m. Present were Chairman Dan Ensminger, Vice Chairman George Hines, Selectmen Bill Burditt and Eugene Nigro, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Richard Coco, Bill Brown, Caroll McMillan, Bill Murphy, Jim Nugent, Ruth Cogan, Annette Flanagan, Gary Atkinson, Cathy Baranofsky, David Nugent, and Alan Bond. Liaison Reports Bill Burditt indicated that he had talked with the Town Account- ant and the Finance Director regarding the Early Retirement In- centive. Gene Nigro indicated that he had met with the Chairman of the Library Board of Trustees and the Library Director about capital outlay needs, issues regarding maintaining staff without salary increases, reductions in staff over the last several years, and the NOBLE grant. George Hines indicated that he had worked with staff to coor- dinate the response to the Inwood Park trucking concerns and com- mended Jonathan Edwards, Stuart LeClaire and the Police Depart- ment. He also talked with Mr. Mele regarding the Constable posi- tion and cleared up some misunderstanding. He suggests that this be scheduled as an agenda item in the future. Dan Ensminger had no liaison report. He was away most of the month of August on business and vacation. Public Comment On motion by Hines seconded by Nigro proclamations of apprecia- tion were approved for Alan McMahon, Ronald Michelini, Robert O'Brien, James Sharkey and Stephen Shea by vote of 4-0-0. Caroll Mcmillan expressed concerns on behalf of the Reading Tax- payers Association regarding the investigations of Water and Sewer, School and Reading Municipal Light Department records. Section 3 . 4 . 3 of the Bylaws requires a timely review by the Finance Committee, and he feels that the review has not been timely since the petitions were submitted on April 22. He feels that FinCom has been negligent in their responsibilities, and he has offered volunteers to help them with this process. He asked the Board to consider fining the Finance Committee up to $300 in Selectmens Minutes - 9/8/92 - page 2 accordance with Section 1. 5 of the Bylaws. Dick Coco, Chairman of the Finance Committee, indicated that he had sent a letter to the Board of Selectmen outlining what has transpired. He feels that the Finance Committee has acted in a timely fashion. They - ' have tried to get further public input as to what the concerns were with regard to these three accounts. They have reviewed in- voices, and time sheets for Water and Sewer and have developed some questions. They found nothing alarming. The Town Manager will be asked to respond to questions raised. He reminded the Selectmen that FinCom does not set policy - that is done by the policy making Boards. FinCom is currently in the process of dis- cussing how to review the School Department issues and this will be discussed at their next meeting. Bill Burditt felt that if this is going to be discussed at any length it would need to be scheduled as a regular agenda item. Dan Ensminger directed the Town Manager to get the reading from Town Counsel with regard to the fines, and suggested that the Taxpayers' Association and FinCom work out a schedule. George Hines felt that the Finance Committee Chairman's plan appears to be appropriate and reminded Mr. McMillan that FinCom is answerable to Town Meeting, not to the Board of Selectmen. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager reported the status of the Inwood Park access issues. He also reviewed liaison .items from the Department of Human Services; he reported that the alleged violation of the Open Public Meeting's law by the Senior Center Advisory Committee is being answered by Town Counsel and in his opinion there is no violation; a meeting with neighbors of Hunt Park will be held on the 16th. Gene Nigro added that staff has prepared. the waiver application for the bathroom in the Senior Center and expressed appreciation to staff. Discussion/Action Items Jim Nugent, Chairman of the Board of Health, and Cathy Baranofsky and Bill Murphy, members of the Board of Health, were present along with Director of Human Services/Health Director Ruth Cogan. They expressed interest in the possible reinstatement of the Public Health Nurse and reviewed programs that have had to be curtailed because of the vacancy in that position. The cost would be $6,800 per year or $3 , 400 for the remainder of the year. George Hines asked if some of the needs could be met through volunteer work, and the response was that the VNAs and Health Stop have been doing blood pressure screening, and that Somerset Nursing Home has been helping out with areas of the Flu Clinics. There was discussion on mosquito spraying, raccoons, and other issues. It was decided to evaluate the possibility of restoring the Public Health Nurse position this fall when we do other budget modifications. The Town Manager reviewed the Early Retirement Incentive Program and the financial analysis that was completed by staff. The Town Manager indicated that although he Selectmens Minutes - 9/8/92 - page 3 had been a proponent of an Early Retirement Incentive Program the program at this time is not financially feasible for the Town. Ongoing costs range from $50, 000 to $250, 000 per year for up to the next 16 years. Bill Brown spoke for the RMLD and indicated that the Light Department is not in favor. They are not looking at layoffs and anybody who retired would have to be replaced. The total potential exposure would be in the area of $400, 000 plus or minus per year. Bill Burditt indicated that private in- dustry sometimes offer packages for early retirement, but that the program as permitted at this time is too expensive. He'd like to support it but if we had that kind of money it could probably be better spent in other areas. George Hines indicated that he would like to have seen the Early Retirement Incentive Program, if it could benefit both sides. This program would benefit potential retirees, but there is no benefit at this time to the Town. Gene Nigro felt that the economic situation is leveling off and he was concerned about cost and loss of talent. There was a motion by Burditt seconded by Hines that the Board of Selectmen approve the Early Retirement Incentive Program as con- stituted by outside Section 48 of the FY93 budget as approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and that the Board will in- clude an article in the Warrant for Subsequent Town Meeting in November of 1992 for Town Meeting acceptance of the Early Retire- ment Incentive Program. The vote on the motion was 0-4-0 and the motion failed. The Town Manager presented the modifications to Section 2 . 03 of the Cafeteria Benefits Program. This would make the Town's Cafeteria Benefits Program conform with new IRS regulations, and allow the employees more flexibility in getting into or off of the Town's health insurance program. On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the Board approved an amendment to the Section 125 "Town of Reading Before-Tax Health Care Premium Payment Plan for Employees Paid Biweekly" by amending Section 2 . 03 to read as fol- lows in its entirety: - "2.03 Revocation and New Election - A mem- ber may revoke a benefit election after the period of coverage has commenced and make a new election with respect to the balance of the Plan Year if both the revocation and new election are on account of and consistent with a change of family status (e.g. , marriage, divorce, death of spouse or child, birth or adoption of child, or termination or commencement of the employment of the employee's spouse) , the switching from full-time to part-time status (or vice versa) of the employee or his spouse, and the taking of an unpaid leave of absence of the employee or his spouse. Election changes are also permitted where there has been a significant change in the health coverage of the employee or the employee's spouse attributable to the spouse's employment. Such a revocation and new election shall be effective as of the first payroll period -following notification to the Payroll Office. " The vote on the motion was 4-0-0. The Board discussed the improvement to South Street. The Town Manager explained that the Board needs to determine how it will make a decision on what level of improvements are presented to the Community Planning and Development Commission for approval under the Scenic Roads Act. Dan Ensminger asked about road Selectmens Minutes - 9/8/92 - page 4 widths on other streets which had recently been approved by the Town - Franklin, Pearl, Wakefield and Van Norden. Gene Nigro wanted to understand the impact on walls along South Street. Bill Burditt indicated that the Town should proceed as ex- . peditiously as possible. He did not feel that a Public Hearing by the Board of Selectmen was necessary since CPDC will have a Public Hearing. He asked for recommendation as to which tree will be coming down. He is in favor of a 20-foot wide roadway but would be willing to listen to all arguments. He suggested that it be set for an agenda item and let residents of the area know when it will be on the agenda. George Hines asked if the CPDC hearing would be adequate, and the Town Manager indicated that he felt that it would. He also expressed concern about utility pole relocation and the impact that it might have on the trees. The Board discussed the Hopkins Street/Walnut Street/Summer Avenue traffic problems. Gary Atkinson was present. He indi- cated that the stop signs are not effective; they are used as yield signs. He is also concerned about the speed of traffic and the fact that there are no sidewalks. Alan Bond and Annette Flanagan also spoke and suggested various options for this inter- section location. The staff Parking/Transportation Task Force will take a look at these issues and we will schedule this for further discussion and early action on October 6. The Board suggested to the Town Manager that we have a Board, Committee or Commission invited to each meeting to improve the communications. The Board reviewed its schedule of meetings and decided to meet November 4 instead of the third since the third is Election night. It was suggested that notices for the hearing on the 22nd regarding Birch Meadow changes be sent out through the High School, Birch Meadow School and Coolidge. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hines the Board voted to adjourn at 9:50 p.m. by vote of 4-0-0. Respec fully submitted, Secretar