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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-09-04 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting September 4, 1990 The Board of Selectmen convened at 7: 34 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Graham, Vice Chairman Ensminger, Secretary Hines, Selectmen Sally Hoyt and Eugene Nigro, Peter I. Hechenbleikner, Town Manager, and the following list of citizens : Nathan C. White, Nick Agneta, Stanley Nissen, Fred VanMagness, Marty McWil- liams, Gerry MacDonald, Bob Munnelly, Jim Nally, Bill Burditt, Mary Williams , Richard Coco, Beth Klepeis , George Shannon, Richard Foley, Lynn Bak, Barbara Philbrick, Tim Twomey, Richard Cuffe, Richard Radville, Lois K. Bond, Karen Burke, and Dharshi Dupee. On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Hines, the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing labor nego- tiations. All five members voted individually in the affirm- ative, and the motion was carried. On motion by William Burditt, seconded by Nate White, the Finance Committee voted to go into Executive Session with the Board of Selectmen to discus'G labor negotiations. The following members voting in the affifmative, the motion was carried: Nate White - Yes; Nick Agn.eta - Yes; Fred VanMagness - Yes; Marty McWilliams - Yes; Gerry MacDonald - Yes; Bill Burditt - Yes; and Richard Coco - Yes. The Board adjourned Executive Session at 9: 35 p.m. Tim Twomey and Ron D'Addario presented the final checks from 80-10-10 to the -- Town of Reading for use in the Schools (80%) , the Library (10%) , and Elder Services (10%) . The Board of Selectmen and repre- sentatives of the School Department thanked 80-10-10 for their outstanding efforts. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Hoyt, the minutes of August 21, 1990 were approved as submitted by a vote of 5-0-0. Liaison Reports Eugene Nigro indicated that he had attended the Stone Zoo event with Continental Cable as Continental Cable is trying to raise money to keep the Stone Zoo open. He also attended the Senior Citizen's Center Hearing; he has worked with Selectmen Hines regarding Town Counsel review and advertising. George Hines indicated that he and Eugene Nigro had been working on putting together an R.F.P. for Town Counsel. Dan Ensminger asked that we follow up with the MBIA regarding train noise; that he has reviewed the R.F.P. regarding the fire station. Sally Hoyt indicated that Reading Rifle and Revolver Club has donated $1, 000 for mosquito spraying. She indicated that the grant application in the amount of $757, 000 for the fire station conversion to a senior center has been put together by staff and will be reviewed by the Board tonight. She also indicated that a _ , formula grant application for Elder Services is being submitted. Selectmen's Minutes - 9/4/90 - Page 2 The Recreation programs for the summer were a success; she at- tended the Reading Housing Authority Meeting, and James Muise is retiring as an employee of the Housing Authority. Russ Graham indicated that the Budget Subcommittee had met. He also indicated that the Finance Committee, the Board of Selectmen, and representatives of the School Committee had met earlier this evening regarding next year's budget and its impact on labor negotiations ; the recycling program has 142 Block Leaders; the survey of residents regarding recycling has taken place; the Chamber of Commerce has agreed to sponsor the Recycler of the Month Program; the League of Women Voters is having their program this year on recycling on September 27; plastics recy- cling is being considered at no expense to the Town. There was no Public Comment. Dan Ensminger suggested that a copy of the letter regarding health insurance that was sent to the employees be sent to Town Meeting and/or a Letter to the Editor. There was some discussion regarding the health insurance, and the authority of the Executive Branch of Government -- specifically the Town Manager in this case -- to enter into contracts. On motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to waive individual precinct registration for the State election to be held November 6, 1990. The Board approved the motion on a unani- mous vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Nigro, the Board moved to give un- animous approval to the grant application to convert the former Reading Fire Station to on Pleasant Street into a Senior Citizens Center, and the Board gave the project its enthusiastic and wholehearted endorsement. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Dan Ensminger had a couple of comments regarding the ap- plication and those will be included before the application goes in on Friday. He commended all staff for a job very well done. The Town Manager reported that a grant had been awarded to the Town for half the cost of the expansion of the Water Treatment Plant. Ensminger moved, and Nigro seconded a motion to set the Town Manager's salary for FY91 at $64,730, representing a 5.5% in- crease, similar to what was done for all other employees. On motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt, the motion was amended to a 4% increase at at salary of $63,804. The vote on the motion was defeated by a vote of 1-4-0. The vote on the main motion was ap- proved by a vote of 4-1-0. Ensminger indicated that the issue of whether or not management staff would get salary increases was aired at Town Meeting, and Town Meeting indicated in every in- stance that management employees would be eligible for increases. On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Ensminger, the Board approved the ` - copy of the Legislative Agenda and asked that it be sent to each candidate at all levels of government. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Selectmen's Minutes - 9/4/90 - Page 3 The Town Manager reviewed Town Meeting for this Fall. It is an- ticipated that a Special Fall Town Meeting, meeting the first night of the Subsequent Town Meeting, will be held to deal with financial matters including budget transfers. This Special Town Meeting can then be closed and the tax rate set. George Hines asked that the issue of land disposition on Colburn Road be con- sidered for 9-19-90, in case it needs to go on the Warrant. Dan Ensminger will do the background and write-up on Articles 4 and 5 for the Special Town Meeting of September 13 . The Town Manager informed the Board of Selectmen that the Board of Asses- sors plans on doing a reassessment this year so that it will reduce the potential number of abatement applications. Concerns were what the collection rate currently is and how reassessment would affect the calendar for setting a tax rate. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to go into Exec;ztive Session to discuss real estate, and to approve minutes, alnd not to come out into open session. All five members of the Board voting in the affirmative, the motion was passed, and the Board adjourned to Executive Session at 11: 00 p.m. Respectfullyrs bmitted, Secr ary