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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-09-10 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting September 10, 1991 The meeting convened at 7 : 03 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting room, 16 Lowell St. Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Eugene Nigro, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Russell Graham and George Hines, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, and the following list of interested parties, Bill Brown, Fred Van Magness, Matthew Cummings, Tim Twomey, Gerry MacDonald, Steven Hutcheson, Stanley M. Nissen, Jim Keighley, Liz Greene, Maria Silvaggi, Marty McWilliams, Pete Dahl, Barbara Philbrick, Mary Williams, Robert Munnelly, Bill Burditt. On motion by Graham and seconded by Hoyt the minutes of August 27, 1991 were approved as amended by vote of 3-0-1 with Nigro abstaining. Liason Report George Hines reported the progress of the Ice Rink Feasibility Task Force Committee. They have determined that the Ice Rink is feasible. A final site will need to be selected. They suggested a site selection committee which may be constituted differently than the Feasibility Committee. Russ Graham indicated he felt it was one of the better reports that he had seen, and asked for copies of exhibits. Hines indicated that a final report with ex- hibits would be forthcoming by the middle of next week. Hines also indicated that there still are some issues with regard to the Crestview Exxon construction, and staff is working towards a resolution. He also indicated that he and Tim Twomey had at- tended Congressman Markey's Town Meeting. Sally Hoyt indicated that she had talked with the Governor's of- fice about budget issues. Russ Graham indicated that he had attended a meeting in Andover with Peter Nessen, Secretary of Administration Finance. He talked about a distribution formula and problems with the law. Eugene Nigro had no report. Public Comment Bill Brown indicated frustration with people parking on sidewalks and tree lawns. He indicated that on Haven Street there was even an unregistered and uninsured vehicle. He asked that these be ticketed. The Board of Selectmen welcomed members of the Finance Committee and the School Committee to a joint meeting. Barbara Philbrick spoke for the School Committee. She indicated the process of the initial budget and cuts that had to be made. She felt that the School Department is not able to make further cuts without seriously damaging programs. The School Committee favors teacher's deferral so that these cuts can be phased in within the next two years. The School Committee would like to preserve what we have in the School Department for as long as possible and to Selectmens Minutes - 9/10/91 - page 2 make other plans. She indicated that they would suggest setting up a Stabilization Fund to use whatever monies from the teacher's deferral that were not needed for this year's budget. The Town Manager indicated that there were three approaches to deal with the School budget for this year: 1. Accept the teacher's deferral. 2. Make the $291, 000 in cuts that need to be made. 3. Use the balances in the revolving funds to partly offset the cuts that need to be made this year. Stan Nissen indicated that the teacher's deferral and estab- lishing a Stabilization Fund doesn't affect the cash flow, and that he would be against using revolving funds. Bill Burditt, Chairman of the Finance Committee, outlined forecasts for next year and indicated that he had told the School Committee on July 1 that they would need to make additional cuts. Beth Klepeis, Finance Director, indicated concerns about cash flow, year end deficits, and future liabilities. Russ Graham indicated that the issue of teacher's deferral should be debated at Town Meeting. He was intrigued by Dr. Munnelly's proposal of using most of the balances in the various revolving funds. He would be concerned about the use of free cash. He pointed out that none of this is a long term solution. Tim Twomey indicated that we should use the teacher's deferral by placing unused balances in the Stabilization Fund to generate ad- ditional cash. Beth Klepeis indicated that they would still have to borrow and that there would be no additional cash generated by this means. George Hines indicated that the best financial advice says that we shouldn't use the teacher's deferral . He quoted a Mas- sachusetts Municipal Association article outlining the same. Eugene Nigro felt that the use of the revolving funds is within the School Committee's purview - the use of free cash is not. Fred Van Magness indicated that the School Committee can use various revolving funds and probably eliminate the need for cuts. He wanted to make sure that the use of the School lunch revolving fund balances was not in effect a tax. It was pointed out that Health Insurance and Pension funds for cafeteria workers can be charged to the revolving fund. He still felt that cost reduc- tions as previously pointed out in the School Department's budget could be implemented. Barbara Philbrick indicated that the School Committee knew of the - revolving funds but because they don't get periodic reports like they used to when they had a Business Manager, they didn't know the exact balances. Selectmens Minutes - 9/10/91 - page 3 Bill Burditt indicated that the School Committee had the summer to make the changes and they should have done it. Sally Hoyt shares the School' s concerns, but agrees with the Finance Committee and the Finance Director. Pete Dahl would like to see an updated School budget before they judge the use of the free cash. Gerry MacDonald indicated that we should use the revolving funds for the School Department to help themselves. Closing of the Special Town Meeting On motion by Graham seconded by Hines, the Board voted to close the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting to be held on September 26 , 1991 at 7 : 30 p.m. by vote of 4-0-0 . They asked if the Department of Public Works can use the old fire truck rather than trading it in or selling it pursuant to Article 11. The Board agreed to meet on the 16th at 7: 30 p.m. The Board of Selectmen opened the public hearing on the Park and Recreation Rules and Regulations. Marty McWilliams felt that they should consider 8:00 as a closing time for all the parks. He expressed appreciation to the Board of Selectmen for having taken this action at Washington Park previously. George Hines feels that the Recreation Committee needs to develop policies for reservation of parks. He also understands that the Recreation Committee feels under a mandate to generate as much income as possible from user fees, and therefore "rent out" the parks as much as possible. There was a motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt to further amend the policies to add a statement that the Board of Selectmen may from time to time establish other specific clos- ing times. The amendment was approved by a vote of 4-0-0, the main motion as amended was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. There was a motion by Graham seconded by Hines to close Washington Park at 8:00 p.m. The Board rejected the motion by a vote of 0-4-0 because the sunset closing provisions as just adopted are more restrictive than 8:00 p.m. until next summer, and the Board wants to hear from the Washington Park residents. The Board discussed the possibility of joining in litigation with the MWRA against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Board felt that since the Town of Reading wasn't directly affected, we should not spend Town resources on this item. However, the Town Manager was directed to send a letter supporting the principle involved. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Graham the Board authorized the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to sign the Small Cities Grant application to convert the former Central Fire Station into a Senior Citizen center, and to go on record as unanimously sup- porting the FY 91 grant application. The motion was passed by a vote of 4-0-0. Selectmens Minutes - 9/10/91 - page 4 On motion by Graham seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the sending of a letter to H.U.D. supporting the Reading Housing Authority's application for Section 8 housing assistance and op- posing the delegation of all Section 8 housing for Reading to EOCD. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The Board also directed Town Manager to send copies of that letter to our State Representative and Senators. On motion by Graham seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of approval of minutes, discus- sion of litigation, discussion of sale of real estate, and review of labor relations negotiations and not to come in to open ses- sion. All four members present voted in the affirmative, and the Board adjourned to Executive Session at 10:12 p.m. Respectfully submitted, secreta y