HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-06-06 Board of Selectmen Minutes f
Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting
June 6, 1991
The meeting was convened in the Lecture Hall, Reading Memorial
High School, 62 Oakland Road, Reading, Massachusetts. Present
were Chairman Eugene Nigro, Vice Chairman Dan Ensminger,
Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Russ Graham and George Hines and
the following list of interested parties : Mary J. Andreola,
Loretta M. Spaulding, Stan Nissen, Stephen Tucker, Frederick Van
Magness, Matt Cummings, Dorothy Anderson, Bill Brown, Marty
McWilliams, Henry J. Boissoneau, Gloria Hulse, Harold Hulse,
David Gillette, Carl Amon, Richard Dempster, Jim Keigley, Gerry
MacDonald, Charles K. Laughton, Nathan C. White, Nancy Forsberg,
Beatrice Kiernan, Phil Pacino, Lois K. Bond, Rep. Robert C.
Krekorian, W. J. Burditt, S. Thomases, Richard Radville, John B.
Pacino, Alan B. Bond, Nick Agneta, Jim Biller, Paul F. Caselle,
DDS, Joan Nickerson, Herb Converse, David Nugent, A.V. Fletcher,
L.J. Redfern, Gary Demopoulos, Richard H. Coco, John A. Coote,
Carol S.Beckwith, Ruth L. Cogan, Beth Klepeis, Tom Stohlman, Ted
Smethurst, William Murphy, Laurie Murphy, Arnold Berger, Ted
Cohen, John L. Fallon, Kate Kaminer, Joyce Miller, Adrienne
McMahon, Bud Dickey, Roger O. Sanstad, James R. Boucher, Diane
Kurkjian, Linda and Frederick Martin, Ginny Lane, Jonathan Ed-
wards, William Goodrich, Bruce MacDonald, Susan Kalmakis, Ed Mar-
chand, Norm Kozlowski, Bill McIsaac, Tim Twomey, Margaret Cowell,
Bob Nordstrand, Catherine M. Powell, Richard Howard, Steve Oston,
Harvey Dahl, Allan E . Ames, Margaret V. Pratt, Anne P. Mark,
Robert Zitzow, and Bob Munnelly.
The Chairman introduced this meeting as an all boards meeting to
review the results of the Special Election on June 3, 1991, and
to make. recommendations with regard to the FY92 Town of Reading
Budget. He announced that, although it had been promised and ex-
pected that the Reading Taxpayers Association would make a
presentation, we had been informed on June 5 at 5:05 p.m. that
the Taxpayers Association would not be making a presentation.
However, Carroll McMillan who is member of the Taxpayers Associa-
tion and representing himself will make some remarks.
Rob Krekorian, State Representative, addressed the group with
some general comments with regard to State aid. He feels that
the State aid picture will not get worse this year, and depending
on the Senate budget may improve.
Donald Anglehart from Precinct 7 and Gloria Hulse from Precinct 8
spoke in favor of re-adopting the municipal budget as proposed,
and expressed concern that the Taxpayers Association was not
present.
Carroll McMillan spoke and addressed the group. He indicated
that people who had talked with the Taxpayers Association
expressed concern about the Trash Fee, the Ladder Truck, and the
Ambulance. He also was distressed that the RTPA was not present
to make a presentation this evening.
With regard to the Trash Fee, he felt that it cannot be used to
"raise revenue" and that he feels that it is an illegal tax. He
indicated that Gloucester had a flat trash fee and now has a
Selectmen's Minutes - 6/6/91 - Page 2
sticker system. He also cited the Chelmsford trash system.
Based on a 1980-1990 analysis, he does not feel that the School
Department Budget is underfunded. He spoke about the water,
sewer and electric enterprises. He suggested an immediate hiring
freeze and indicated that salary increases identified in the
Budget were $148, 550. There were $183 , 960 of new hires, and
there were $28,814 in overtime increases. He felt that the over-
time is excessive -- $125,000 for the Police Department in FY90
and $126,000 for the Fire Department in the same year. He felt
that every department should justify its personnel needs. He
felt that the Compost Center was overfunded in overtime by
$15,000. He questions $7460 in dues in the personnel budget;
suggested an independent audit of the water and sewer systems and
the electric systems. He also suggested that we somehow notify
voters better of elections and suggested an insert in the Subur-
ban News that cost $1000. He suggested review of, the Town Bylaws
regarding Town Meeting membership. He felt that too many members
of Town Meeting are employees, Selectmen, School Committee Mem-
bers and Finance Committee Members. He also expressed concern
about how many Town Meeting Members have unlisted phone numbers.
He felt that we should make efforts to bring our Town back
together and start communications. Scott Lawrence spoke and in-
dicated that he is one of the people who voted no because he
doesn't feel that the Town is doing its job very well. He felt
that we were spending money that we don't have. Phil Pacino in-
dicated that people that he had spoken with are very unhappy with
the Trash Fee. Jim Keigley from Precinct 7, Bruce MacDonald, -
Richard Radville, Jim Biller, Bill Brown and Russ Graham spoke.
The Town Manager spoke and indicated that communication was in
fact needed. Much of what Mr. McMillan has in his list of
proposed cuts have already been made, and/or the information is
based on a misunderstanding of what the budget contains.
on motion by Graham, seconded by Hines, the Board voted to sup-
port the Budget as adopted by Town Meeting by a vote of 5-0-0.
Dan Ensminger had suggested that the Board postpone action until
a presentation is actually made by the Taxpayers Association at
the Finance Committee meeting on Monday. Hoyt felt the same way,
but FinCom Chairman Bill Burditt felt that they would need the
Selectmens' position in order for them to meet on Monday, but
that the Board of Selectmen could alter that position on Tuesday,
if it felt it appropriate. Gene Nigro felt that it is important
to bring the community together. He would not support a concur-
rent session with the FinCom on Tuesday night, and will support
the Budget as passed. The entire Board felt that they would
remain open for input if there was any new information presented
by the Taxpayers Association on Monday, June 10.
On motion by Graham, seconded by Hines, the Board voted to ad-
journ at 10:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary