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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-08-21 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting August 21, 1990 The meeting convened at 6: 47 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Russ Graham, Vice Chairman Dan Ensminger, Secretary George Hines, Selectmen Eugene Nigro and Sally Hoyt, Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner, and the following list of interested parties: Peter Greene, Ronald Michelini, Willard F. Nichols, Dulena Michelini, Shirley L. Nichols, William F. Donaldson, Michael S. McGrath, Paul Tinsley, Holly Spousta, Bernice Lobdell, Winston Lobdell, Edward P. Brady, Agnes M. Lindgren, Pasquale M. Iapicca, Paul D. Murphy, Richard L. Nelson, Bo Garrison, Regina Snyder, Richard Benshimol, Helen R. Knight, Harriet Beattie, and Stan Quinlan. The Board started out with the Town Manager's evaluation. Each of the Board members went through a review of their ratings for the Town Manager. Following that process, the Town Manager made his comments, thanking the Board for their past support and com- mending the Board of Selectmen on the openness and honesty of the process. The Town Manager gave credit to the staff of the' Town and Department Heads for their part in making Town government in Reading a success. At 8: 00 p.m. , the Board broke the evaluation process to close the warrant for a Special Town Meeting to be held at 7:30 p.m. at Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, on September 13 , 1990. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Hoyt, the warrant was closed by a vote of 5-0-0. The Secretary of the Board started to read the warrant, and it was moved by Ensminger, seconded by Hoyt to suspend the reading. The Town Manager summarized the five- article warrant for the Board. At 8: 35 p.m. , the Board completed the Town Manager's evaluation. Liaison Reports Eugene Nigro indicated that the Fire c,tation dedication will be at the end of September or in early O:tober. The Fire Station seems to be a very successful project, and the Fire Chief has outlined several major equipment needs. George Hines indicated that he has established a process whereby the Community Development Director briefs him after each CPDC meeting. Outstanding issues are enforcement on the Perkins site plan completion, and staffing problems created by the reduced budget. Russ Graham indicated that one of the selectmen from Stoneham who is running for State Senate called him to make sure the Board of Selectmen was invited to a forum at the Reading Memorial High School Lecture Hall at 7 : 30 p.m. this Thursday for all Senate candidates. Chairman Graham also indicated that the Solid Waste Committee has 119 Block Leaders covering 85% of the Town to start the recycling program. Chelmsford had only one-third of the block leaders at this time. The recycling boxes will be dis- tributed the weeks of September 7th through September 21st. A flyer will be mailed on September 22, 1990. Selectmen's Minutes - 8/21/90 - Page 2 Dan Ensminger had no report--he has been on vacation. Sally Hoyt indicated that Bill Brown had contacted her with con- cern about the conversion of the old fire se house and the expethe entailed. She also reviewed the status of mosquito control, information booth that Elder Services will have on the "sandwich generation" at the School Department's wellness fair; and the status of the block grant application as well as the completion of the summer camp. The Town Manager reviewed with the Board of Selectmen the process of getting the health insurance program in place by October 1st, following the cancellation of the indemnity plan by Blue Cross Blue Shield. The Town Manager reviewed the different options, and recommended the John Hancock/Harvard Community Health Program for Town employees and retirees. Ed Brady indicated that he felt that some of the numbers presented by the Town Manager were inac- curate, and questioned whether a PPO was legal under Chapter 32B. He read a letter from Peter Greene, President of the Reading Teachers Association. Helen Knight expressed concerns about the Bay State/ICC Program, and the fact that it came in late and was constantly changing. Phil Pacino from the Reading Municipal w whether RMLD employees were included, Light Board wanted to kno and if so, what the cost to the RMLD would be. Pat Iapicca expressed support for the Bay State/ICC Program and suggested that the Board listen to a presentation by all three potential carriers. Paul Tinsley of ICC requested that he be able to sub- mit comments in writing. Richard Benshimol, who is a retired that the Bay State proposal is an teacher, indicated that he felt eleventh hour proposal, and it was incomplete. Chairman Graham polled the Board to determine whether there was any recommenda- tion from the Board of Selectmen contrary to the Town Manager's decision. Eugene Nigro, Dan Ensminger, Sally Hoyt and Russell Graham expressed support for going with the Hancock/Harvard Com- munity Health Program. George Hines was concerned that he didn't have enough information at this time, but was concerned, as was the rest of the Board, about an apparent schism developing be- tween the retirees and the active employees. Elizabeth Klepeis spoke at the Board's request, and expressed concern about going to a self-insurance program, but indicated that she felt that it was the best option at this point. The Town Manager indicated that he had issued one-day liquor licenses for the Reading Lion's Club, and a Common Victualler's License for Carolan's Variety and Pizza Hop. The Town Manager updated the Board of Selectmen on the water bill for Mr. Jones. The Board agreed that the amount of the bill rendered was appropriate. The Board will get back to the Town Manager immediately with their legislative agenda priorities. The request for change of curbing at South Street and Main Street will be referred to the Community Planning and Development Com- mission, as they are dealing with a site plan currently affecting Selectmen's Minutes 8/21/90 - Page 3 that same property. Discussion on the Aquifer Protection Task Force will be postponed. There are no applicants for the RMLD Advisory Board position. The Town Manager indicated that he had appointed Lesley Wexler as Recreation Program Supervisor, based on the recommendation of the Recreation Committee and the Department Head. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purposes of labor negotiation, litigation, and real estate negotiations, and not to come into open session. All five members of the Board voting in the af- firmative, the Board adjourned to Executive Session at 11:03 p.m. Resectfully 17u bmitted, /P Secr ary