Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-06-22 Board of Selectmen Minutes TOWN OF' READING BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF THE MEETING JUNE 22 , 1987 A meeting of the Board of Selectmen convened in the Selectmen' s Meetina Room. 6 Lowell Street . Reading , Massachusetts at 7 : 35 P.M. on June 22 . 1987 . In attendance were Board Members John Russell , Euaene Nigro . Russell Graham. Mary Ziealer and Town Manaaer , Peter Hechenbleiiner' . 3 . LIAISON REPORTS Mrs . Ziegler attended the Callan limited waiver hearing on June 4 . 1987 at the Public Library and also received a letter from Represen- tative .. Geoffrey Beckwith, which stated he was against the waiver . In the interest of time , Mr . Nigro had no report to make . Mr . Graham attended the oDenina of the new MWRA Pumping Station. Mr . Russell would like Mr . Tony Fletcher , Department of Public Works Director to attend the next meeting with the Lakeside Neiahborhood Association to give them an assessment . It was suggested that the Water and Sewer Commission also attend . Mr . Hechenbleikner reported that the Fire Facility Sub-committee would have their first meeting this Wednesday. 4 . APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the previous meeting were not available at this time. 5 . POLICY HEARING a. Employee recognition Mrs . Ziegler moved to approve the second reading of the Employee Recognition Policy. Mr . Nigro seconded the motion. The Employee Recognition Policy was approved by a vole of 4 0 . 6 . POLICY INTRODUCTION No new policies were introduced at this time . 7 . ACTION ITEMS 7a. Reserve Fund Transfers 1 . Conservation Commission reauested $3 . 718 . 40 Paae Readina did not receive the exnected Emr)lovment Resources Inc . monies due to a lack of eligible young people applying for the positions . This monev would be for 2 summer workers to maintain Conservation lands at the seasonal labor wages of $5 . 81 per hour for a 40 hour week. Mr . Nigro moved to approve the reserve fund transfer of $3 , 718 . 40 to be allocated to the 487 Conservation Account for two summer workers to maintain Conervation land at a seasonal labor waae of $5 . 81 Der hour . Mrs . Ziealer seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 - 0 . 2 . Town Clerk requested $2 , 320 . 18 Mrs . Ziegler moved to request the transfer from reserve funds to the Town Clerk salary account $2 , 320 . 18 . Mr . Nigro seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 - 0 . 3 . Treasurer ' s Office requested $1 , 000 . 00 Mrs . Ziealer moved to request the transfer from reserve fund of $1 . 000 . 06 to the Treasurer ' s salary accounts . Mr . Niaro seconded the motion . The motion passed 4 - 0 . 4 . Zonina Board of Anneals requested $1 , 500 . 00 Mr . Graham moved to request the transfer from reserve funds of $1 . 500 . 00 to the Zonina Board of Anneals for secretarv' s salary and newspaper advertising . Mrs . Ziealer seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 - 0 . 5 . Sealer of Weiahts and Measure requested $650 . 00 Mr . Graham moved to approve a. reserve fund transfer from the Finance Committee of $650 . 00 : $350 . 00 for a 5 aallon aasoline test measure and $300 . 00 for other expenses . Mr . Niaro seconded the motion . The motion passed 4 - 0 . 6 . Town Collector requested $571 .70 Face 2 Mrs . Ziegler moved to reauest a transfer of $571 . 70 to the Collectors Expense Account - Tax Title Services . Mr . Niaro seconded the motion The motion passed 4 - 0 . 7 . CP & DC requested $23 , 500 . 00 No Planner has been hired therefore CP&DC will need a PUD Consultant . Mrs . Ziegler moved to request a transfer of $23 . 500 . 00 from reserve fund to the Communitv Planning and Development Commission expense account for a PUD Consultant . Mr . Niaro seconded the motion. The motion oassed 4 - 0 . 7b. Approval of Memorandum of Terms - Homart Mr . Russell advised the Board that on the advice of Town Counsel the subiect matter under 7b approval of Memorandum of Terms- Homart -would be conducted in executive session later this evening . 8 .- PERSONNEL AND APPOINTMENTS - --------- --- ----- 8a. Le-aal - Town Counsel Mrs . Ziegler moved to appoint Tyler and Reynolds as Town Counsel for a period of one year , starting Julv 1 . 1987 at the rate of $85 , 000 . 00 plus incidental expenses for the year . Mr . Niaro seconded the motion. Mr . Graham requested the Town Manager to check and evaluate other options , such as in-house counsel . Mr . Nigro asked the Town Manager to arrange for the evaluation of Town Counsel for the coming year . The motion passed 4 - 0 . 8a. Labor Counsel Mr . Niaro moved to re-appoint Deutsch Williams Brooks DeRensis Holland & Drachman , P.C . for 1 year at the hourly rate of $115 . 00 for Mr . Drachman and $105 . 00 per hour for other firm attorneys acceptable to the Town, July 1 , 1987 to June 30 , 1988 . Mr . Nigro asked for the Town Manager to arranae for the evaluation of performance of Labor Counsel for the coming year . Mrs . Ziegler seconded the motion Face 3 The motion passed 4 - 0 . 8b. Town Manager Appontments Mr . Hechenbleikner informed the Board of Selectmen that Tinder the charter he had appointed Elizabeth Klepeis to the position of Treasurer/ Collector effective July 1 , 1987 . . Mrs . Klepeis will receive an additional $2 , 000 . 00 per year for assuming the respons- ibility of Collector plus the scheduled 5% increase effective July 1 , 1987 . Mr . Smith will be the Assistant Collector at no less pay then he is currently earning plus the scheduled 5% increase effective July 1 , 1987 Mr . William Connors . assistant Treasurer , will assume the duties of Data Processing Coordinator and will receive $2 , 000 . 00 for assuming the additional duties TDlus the scheduled 5"X increase effective J1ulv 1 . 1987 . Mr . Hechenbleikner has appointed Leonard '-,Redfern Emergency Management Coordinator/Civil Defense Director at an annual stioend of $1 ,, 050 . 00 . Mr . Nigro moved that the Board confirm the Town Manager ' s appointment of Leondard Redfern as Civil Defence Director effective July 1 , 1987 at the salary of $1 , 050 . 00 . Mrs . Ziealer seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 0 . The Town Manager ' s evaluation being completed . Mr . Hechenbleikner requested that the salary be set at a 5% increase from the current salarv, which would be $55 , 125 . 00 per near and that the Board of Selectmen increase his vacation days by two effective July 1 , 1987 . Mr . Graham moved that the Town Manager ' s salary be set at $55 , 125 . 00 and to increase the vacation days by two effective July 1 , 1987 . Mr . Nigro seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 - 0 . 8c . Council on Aging Interested candidates were Gail Valentinsen . Petra Conboy. Doris Fantasia and Gail Rourke . Ms . Valentinsen withdrew her name from consideration. Ms . Conboy was interviewed . Both Mrs . Fantasia and Ms . .Rourke had expressed the desire to be reappointed as associate members . Mr . Niaro felt that appointing Mrs . Fantasia to the Council on Aging might well be a conflict of interest and would not like to establish a precedent . Mrs . Fantasia is currently Town Clark. Faae 4 Mrs . Ziealer moved to appoint Gail Rourke as a full member on the Council on Aaina for a three year term to expire June 30 , 1990 . Mr . Niaro seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 - 0 . Mr . Niaro moved to reappoint Doris Fantasia as an associate member for a one vear term to expire June 30 , 1988 . Mr . Graham seconded the motion for purposes of discussion. Mr . Graham felt that with the nature of her position as Town Clerk and the demands of this position it would be inappropriate to appoint Mrs . Fantasia , irrespective of her many fine contributions to the Council . The vote beina 2 in favor . 2 aaainst the motion did not pass . Mrs . Fantasia was not reappointed . 8d. Arts Council Interested candidates were Fran Brown, Mary Ellen LaCroix, Neil Hannaford , Minetta Turner .. Mary Atkinson, and Lorraine McCarthy. Mary Ellen LaCroix requested rescheduling of her interview. Fran Brown and Neil Hannaford were interviewed . Mrs . Ziealer moved to reappoint Minetta Turner , Mary Atkinson , and Lorraine McCarthy for two year terms to expire June 30 ,, 1989 . Mr . Niaro seconded the motion . The motion passed 4 - 0 . Mrs . Ziealer moved to appoint Fran Brown to a two year term to expire June 30 , 1989 . Mr . Niaro seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 - 0 . 8e. Board of Appeals Interested candidates were Eric DelloRusso , Margaret Sheehan, James Liston, Sallv Nitzche , Mark Favalaro and Stephen Tucker , currently a member of the Board of Appeals Maraaret Sheehan, Sally Nitzche and Mark Favalaro were interviewed . James Liston withdrew. Eric DelloRusso was unable to be present . Mr . Graham moved to reappoint Stephen Tucker as a full member for a three vear term to expire June 30 , 1990 . Mrs . Ziealer seconded the motion. Faae 5 The motion passed 4 - 0 . Mr . Nigro moved to place in nomination Margaret Sheehan , Sally Nitzche and Mark Favalaro for a three ,gear term, to exuire June 30 . 1990 as an associate member . Mark Favalarvo and Margaret Sheehan received no votes . Sally Nitzche received 4 votes . Sally Nitzche was therefore appointed an associate member for a three year term to expire June 30 , 1990 . 8f . Cable T.V. Committee Interested candidates were James Liston, Richard Conbov, W. Bruce Cooper and James Guarente . Mr . Liston, Mr . Conbov and Mr . Cooper were interviewed . Mr . Guarente had expressed his desire to be reappointed . Scott Hoffman had not responded . Mr . Russell commented on the fact that they had three candidates , two of which would not want to be precluded from Finance Committee which was aoina to be handled on the 6th of July. Mrs . Ziegler moved to reappoint James Guarente to a 3 year term, to the Cable TV Committee to expire June 30 , 1990 . Mr . Graham seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 - 0 . Mr . Graham moved to table any action regarding appointing additional members until after July 6 , 1987 . Mr . Nigro seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 - 0 . 8g. Community Planning and Development Commission Interested candidates were Mary Ellen LaCroix, Tom Stohlman, James Liston , John Stempeck, Eric Dello Russo , Robert Beane , Linda J. Robbins , and Mark Favalaro . Mr . Stohlman, Mr . Liston, Mr . Stempeck , Mr . Beane, Ms . Robbins and Mr . Favalaro were interviewed . Mrs . Ziegler moved to place in nomination the following for a three year term, term to expire June 30 , 1990 , Mr . Beane , Mr . Favalaro , Ms . Robbins , Mr . Stempeck and Mr . Stohlman. Mr . Nigro seconded the motion. Mr . Beane received no votes ; Mr . Favalaro received 2 votes ; Ms . Robbins received 2 votes ; Mr . Stempeck received no votes : and Mr . Stohl1man received 4 votes . Page 6 Mr . Stohlman was appointed to a three year term expiring June 30 , 1990 . There being a tie between Mr . Favalaro and Mrs . Robbins another vote was taken which also resulted in a tie . In as much as there was a 'Lie for the second position available . Mrs . Ziegler moved to postpone action until July 6 , 1987 for the appointment of a second member . Mr . Niaro seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 - 0 . Mr . Howard, Chairman of the Community Plannina and Development Commission invited interested candidates to attend the June 29 , 1987 meeting . Interviews will be conducted at that time for members of the newly created Master Plan Advisory Committee to the Community Planning and Development Commission. 8h. Conservation Commission Interested Candidates were Joan Nickerson. David Williams , Margaret Sheehan, Allan Ulrich, Warren Cochrane and Maurice Proctor . Mr . Williams . Ms . Sheehan, Mr . Ulrich, Ms . Nickerson and Mr . Stempeck . were interviewed . Mrs . Ziealer moved to reappoint Mr . Cochrane and Mr . Proctor to three year terms expiring June 30 , 1990 . Mr . Graham seconded the motion. Mr . Cochrane received 3 votes and Mr . Proctor received 3 votes , therefore both Mr . Cochrane and Mr . Proctor were reappointed for three year terms . 8i . Board of Health Interested candidates were Margaret Sheehan, Petra ConboV and Paul Caselle. Ms . Sheehan and Ms . Conbov were interviewed . Dr . Caselle had expressed his desire to be reappointed . Mrs . Ziealer moved to reappoint Dr . Paul Caselle for a 3 year term to expire June 30 , 1990 . Mr . Graham seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 - 0 . Having, just received Jill Dugan' s resignation from the Board of Health, the Selectmen extended an invitation to those still interested in a seat on the Board of Health to attend the July 6th meeting , at which time they will be considering filling this vacancy. 8j . Hazardous Waste Committee Page 7 Interested candidates were James Liston, Petra Conbov, Margaret Sheehan, Victor Cail . Mr . Liston, Ms . Conbov, Ms . Sheehan and Mr . Cail were interviewed . Paul Exner had expressed his desire to be reappointed . Ms . Sheehan withdrew her name from consideration for the Hazardous Waste Committee . Mrs . Ziealer moved to reappoint Paul Exner as a full member for a three year period , term to expire June 30 , 1990 . Mr . Graham seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 - 0 . Mr . Graham moved to postpone appointing an additional member until the Board' s July 6 , 1987 meeting . Mr . Nigro seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 0 . Gretchen Latowsky, Chairman of the Hazardous Waste Committee , requested the Board of Selectmen redefine the role of the Hazadous Waste Committee . 8k. Recreation Committee Interested candidates were Catherine Kaminer and Neil Hannaford . Ms . Kaminer and Mr . Hannaford were interviewed . Peter Hichborn and Joseph Connellv had expressed the desire to be reappointed . Mrs . Ziegler moved to reappoint Mr . Connelly and Mr . Hichborn to a three vear term on the Recreation Committee , term to expire June 30 , 1990 . Mr . Graham seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 - 0 . Mr . Nigro moved to appoint Catherine Kaminer and Neil Hannaford for a one year term as associates to the Recreation Committee . Mr . Graham seconded the motion . The motion passed 4 - 0 . 81 . Town Forest Committee David Williams was interested in being appointed and was interviewed . Bud Dickey, Jr . had expresed his desire to be reappointed . Mrs . Ziegler moved to reappoint Bud Dickey to a 3 year term on the Town Forest Committee , term expiring June 30 , 1990 . Page 8 Mr . Graham seconded the motion. The motion nassed 4 - 0 . The Board took a five minute recess . The Board reconvened . Sm. Cemetery Board of Trustees John Silvaggi and Joyce Miller had expresed the desire to be reappointed . Mrs . Ziegler moved to reappoint to the Cemetery Board of Trustees for a three year term John Silvaggi and Joyce Miller , terms to expire June 30 , 1960 . Mr . Nigro seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 - 0 . 8n. Historical Commission Virainia Adams and Edward Smethurst had expressed the desire to be reappointed as full members . Jeanne Martin, Frank Orlando , Edward Palmer , David Robbins , Nancy Smethurst and Erline Trites had all expressed the desire to be reappointed as associate members . Mrs . Ziegler moved to reappoint for a three year term to the Historical Commission, Virginia Adams and Edward Smethurst , terms to expire June 30 , 1990 . Mr . Nigro seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 - 0 . Mrs . Ziegler moved to reappoint as associate members Jeanne Martin, Frank Orland , Edward Palmer , David Robbins , Nancv Smethurst and Erline Trites with one year terms to expire June 30 , 1988 . Mr . Nigro seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 - 0 . So. Insurance Committee The Committee is inactive at this time . Because competitive bidding might be necessary, there is a need to have an active , revitalized committee . Passe 9 David Pratt had expressed the desire to be reappointed . Mrs .Ziealer moved to reappoint David Pratt to the Insurance Committee for a three year term expiring June 30 , 1990 . Mr . Niaro seconded the motion. The motion ioassed 4 - 0 . 8p. Land Bank Committee Interested candidates were Ben Nichols and Georae Perry. Mrs . Ziealer moved to reappoint and to assign the term of three years to Ben Nichols , term to expire June 30 , 1990 , and to reappoint and to assign the term of two years to George Perry, term to expire June 30 , 1989 . There being only two candidates for the three member board . If the vacant position is filled , the term would be for one year , term to expire June 30 , 1988 . Mr . Niaro seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 - 0 . 8q. Registrar Mr . Russell stated that action would be posposted until July 6 , 1987 . 8r . Water & Sewer Advisory Committee Mark Wetzel had requested reappointment . Mrs . Ziegler moved to reappoint Mark Wetzel to the Water and Sewer advisory Committee for a three year term to expire June 30 , 1990 . Mr . Niaro seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 - 0 . 8s . Fire Education Study Committee No candidate has come forth. This committee will look into equitable education incentives for the Fire Department personnel . 8t. Commissioners of Trust Funds Mr . Graham suggested a meeting with the Commissioners of Trust Funds to re-establish regular communication between the two bodies . Page 10 No appointments are necessary at this time . 8u. Custodian of Soldiers ' and Sailors ' Graves Mr . Russell commented an the excellent work that Mr . Vic is doing in his position and cited his efforts on Memorial Day as an example of these fine efforts . Mrs . Ziegler moved to reappoint Henry Vic as the Custodian of Soldiers ' and Sailors ' Graves for a one near term, expiring June 30 , 1988 . Mr . Niaro seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 - 0 . 9 . DISCUSSION 9a. Lakeside Neighborhood Association The Lakeside Neighborhood Association requested a postponment . 9b . Public Works Facility Mr . Hechenbleikner informed the Board that progress was being made in good fashion by the contractors , however he wanted the Board to be aware of the onaoina situation with Mr . Biaaio and the Public Works Facility. Mr . Biggio has filed vet another appeal , even though he has been unsuccessful at every level These appeals have not vet created a financial burden to the Town to date but if the work is delayed by these appeals , it may yet be very costly to the Town. Mr . Hechenbleikner suggested that Town Counsel look into possible options of legal action against Mr . Biagio should the matter not be resolved soon. Mr . Hechenbleikner has discussed with Town Counsel the possibility of recouping from Mr . Biggio any costs the Town incurs due to Mr .Biggio ' s appeals . Mr . Fletcher . Director of Public Works has been in touch with the DEOE and expeccts to hear from them within one week regarding the appeal and the request for cancellation of the appeal . More information will be available at the next meetina . 10 . EXECUTIVE SESSION - LABOR AND LAND SALE NEGOTIATIONS Mrs . Ziealer moved to ao into Executive Session to discuss Labor negotiations and the Homart land sale terms . Mr . Niaro seconded the motion . The Board being polled and all in agreement , the Selectmen adjourned the public meeting to enter into Executive Session not to be reopened Page 11