HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-06-30 Board of Selectmen Minutes A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
JUNE 30 , 1986
A meeting of the Board of Selectmen convened on June 30, 1986 ,
7 : 30 p .m. , in the Selectmen ' s Conference Room of the Town Hall
Executive Offices located at 6 Lowell Street , Reading , Massachusetts .
Present were Chairman Paul E. Landers , and Board Members Russell T .
Graham, Eugene R. Nigro , John H. Russell , Mary S . Ziegler. Also in
attendance was Acting Executive Secretary Anthony V. Fletcher.
The Chairman called the meeting to order and discussion followed
by Acting Executive Secretary Fletcher with regard to a letter from
the State House signed by Govenor Dukakis declaring a "Let Freedom
Ring Celebration". Mr. Fletcher asked if local churches could be
notified to ring their bells at 10 :55 p .m. on July 3rd and again on
July 4th at 2 : 00 p .m. The Selectmen agreed with the request .
Following the Celebration Day request , an announcement was
made by the Acting Executive Secretary informing the Board that Town
Counsel , Attorney H. Theodore Cohen was hospitalized due to a bicycle
accident and any Town questions or concerns should be directed to
his replacement Attorney Ronald Cochinski.
On the first order of business the Board reviewed the minutes of
the June 24th meeting . A correction was noted on page four , fourth
paragraph , to read "a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering" .
After the necessary corrections , the Board voted 5 : 0 in favor to accept
the minutes of the meeting .
The next order of business was a merit review of the Building
Inspector , Stuart LeClair . A discussion followed with Board Members
sighting both the positive and negative aspects of Mr. LeClair ' s
performance. Questions pertaining to the goals of the Building
Inspector were discussed followed by a motion from the Chairman to
grant Mr. LeClair a 5% merit increase as of June 30 , 1986 which will
also include another automatic 52% as of July 1 , 1986 . The Board
voted in favor, 5 : 0 .
The interview schedule for the Town Manager ' s position was
brought up for discussion by Chairman Landers . George Hines ,
Chairman of the review committee, had informed the Chair that one
of the final candidates for consideration has declined from
pursuing the position due to another job offer . As for the other
three candidates the interview schedule will be as follows :
Tuesday, July 15th , 7 : 00 p .m. - Randolph Forrester
Thursday, July 17th , 7 : 00 p .m. - Calvin Teague-
9 : 00 p .m. - Peter Hechenbleikner
All members of the Board of Selectmen were in agreement to
proceed as _soon as possible in order to reach a speedy conclusion
to the Town Manager ' s appointment .
Board of Selectmen
June 30 , 1986
Page 2
On the next order of business the Board met with Joseph Schlotman
of the Fred S . James Company regarding the Town' s insurance. A
lengthy discussion evolved focusing on various rates , renewal terms ,
projected costs and liability coverage. (refer to attached sheets)
Additional comments under the insurance talks included a
request by the Chairman for information on life insurance coverage
for the new Town Manager, proposed By-Law changes regarding Working
Men' s Compensation claims , and also the existing need for
knowledgeable personnel to fill the vacancies on the Insurance
Committee.
The Board proceeded with business under the Agenda Schedule
reappointing Catherine Quimby, for a term of three years , and
Ardith A. Wieworka, as an Associate Member, to the Board of Appeals .
Following the appointments , the Chairman of the Board of Appeals ,
John A. Jarema, voiced his concerns over the need for a five man
board with two alternates . A motion was made, agreed upon all in
favor, that the Selectmen, after checking with the By-Law Committee ,
would sponsor an article at Fall Town Meeting to increase the Board
of Appeals . The Chair noted that the article must have a two thirds
vote of Town Meeting and then must be placed on the Town Election
,.-- ballot .
Under the Purchase and Sales Agreement between Beech Tree
Associates and the Town of Reading , Attorney 0 . Bradley Latham
presented the Board of Selectmen with the necessary papers to be
signed. Due to the absence of the Town Counsel , a motion was made
to accept the agreement . subject to approval of Attorney H. Theodore
Cohen. The vote was in favor , 5 : 0. Mr. Rivers signed the
documents with the Board retaining copies with a promise to sign
as soon as Mr. Cohen releases his acceptance.
A request by the "Reading People for Peace" to utilize the
common area was presented to the Board by Carl Beaulieu. A motion
was made and voted in the affirmative to allow the Reading People
for Peace use of the common area, across from the front of the
Executive Office Building , on Sunday , August 3, 1986 , from 5 : 00 to
6 : 00 p .m. The Chairman noted that the only two stipulations to
this permission would be on the condition of the approval of our
Police Chief and also that the organization would assume responsi-
bility to keep the area free from litter (paper birds) .
Regarding a memo from the Fire Chief on the subject of the
Fire Department mechanic, a motion was made to allow Mike Sarno
to continue on a part time basis during the summer months at the
current rate of $ 11 . 20 per hour until time permits the hiring of
a suitable replacement. The Board voted in favor , 5 : 0.
Board of Selectmen
June 30 , 1986
Page 3
The Selectmen' s meeting concluded with various Liaison reports .
Chairman Landers cited the need for more volunteers in order to
adequately fulfill the Towns committee appointments scheduled for
next weeks meeting .
Selectmen Nigro reported that the new fire truck will be here soon
and specifications are being writtenup for the new ambulance .
Lastly , Selectmen Russell informed the Board Members that two
appraisals of the John Street land takings were available , however , he
would like to give authorization to Acting Executive Secretary Fletcher
to obtain an additional appraisal .
On a motion by the Chair , the Board of Selectmen voted in favor
5 : 0 to adjourn the meeting at 9 : 30 PM.
Respectfully submitted ,
Secretary
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