HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-16 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
January 16, 2010
For ease of archiving, the order that items appear in these Minutes reflects the order in
which the items appeared on the agenda for that meeting, and are not necessarily the
order in which any item was taken up by the Board.
The meeting convened at 8:30 a.m. in the Town�Hall Conference Room, 16 Lowell
Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Ben Tafoya, Secretary
Camille Anthony, Selectmen Stephen Goldy and Richard Schubert, Town Manager
Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, and
the following list of interested parties: Board of Assessors — Bob Nordstrand, Ralph
Colorusso and Fred McGrane; Department Heads—DPW Director Jeff Zager, Fire Chief
Greg Burns, Library Director Ruth Urell, Town Accountant Gail LaPointe, Police Chief
Jim Cormier, Town Engineer George Zambouras, DPW Business Administrator Jane
Kinsella, Town Meeting Member Bill Brown, Board of Library Trustees Members
Victoria Yablonsky, Karyn Storti, Dick Curtis, David Hutchinson and Jeffrey Doucette.
Discussion/Action Items
FY 2011 Budget
Board of Assessors' Budget - The Board of Assessors presented a request for additional
funding to the Board of Selectmen. This is a revaluation year, and they need professional
assistance with personal property — they don't have an in-house capability. With regard
to real property,pending cases include Addison-Wesley/Pearson filed for 2010. If it goes
to the Appellate Tax Board, it could be expensive. They'll eventually have to deal with
phone and wireless values—the Department of Revenue has relinquished the valuation as
of 2009. This could be regionalized. Selectman Richard Schubert asked what other states
are doing with phone and wireless companies regarding poles and wires. It may be a
different process in other states. Phone companies are going to fight values. Additional
funding requests are for public input hearings as a result of the revaluation.
Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that the request is for $78,000 more than the previous
budget. The Assistant Town Manager noted that the request speculates depending on
who is hired for the Appraiser's position. Reserve Fund is available for defense of values.
The Town Manager asked about moving the cycle off for one year, and the sense that the
Board of Assessors has received from the State is that the State would not be willing to
do this.
The Assistant Town Manager noted that the Town has approved funding for additional
new software. That would be done next year—not during the revaluation year.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked if we can use Reserve Funds to start the revaluation
work this year. The Town Manager noted that the telephone and wireless company work
could be regionalized. Selectman Anthony suggested bringing this up at the MMA.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 16, 2010—Page 2
On motion by McGrane seconded by.Colorusso; the Board of Assessors adjourned
At 9:00 a.m. by a vote of 3-0-0.
Fire Department Budget - The Board then reviewed the Fire Department Budget. Fire
Chief Greg Burns noted that he would have to make reductions of one Fire Fighter to get
to a 0% budget which equals $40,000. The Fire Fighters get a 1% increase on June 30,
2010 for their existing contract. The Fire Budget is 97% salary.and 3% expenses. To
come in with a 0% budget increase,the Chief will have to reassign the Fire Prevention
Officer to cover a long-term illness. That increases overtime; and the result will be
delayed plan review, and reduced code enforcement. The Chief is the only person in the
office Monday through Friday. Selectman Camille Anthony asked about the salary level,
and the Chief explained that the Fire Fighters took a 1% increase in January, and a 1% in
June for calendar Fiscal Year 2010.
Selectman Richard Schubert asked about whether or not inspections can be regionalized.
The Chief noted that there is plenty of work to keep busy on a regular basis. Reading
prides itself on the quality of code enforcement. The Fire Prevention Officer also counts
as part of the shifts strength. Annual inspections are done by the groups. The Fire
Prevention Officer's main work is on new construction and renovations as well as
reviewing Certificates of Occupancy for liquor establishments.
Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that he understands that there are two issues — one is the
budget for a Fire Fighter and one is a long-term absence.
Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that regarding regionalization, the Town Manager and
Board of Selectmen need to try to get the right communities together. The Chief can
identify what the best communities would be to get together to consider regionalized
services.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked if the ambulance service is running okay and whether
the Fire Department has what it needs to operate in a safe manner. The Chief noted that
through December, the ambulance collected $683,000. There was discussion about
billing the Hospital Trust, and the Town Manager noted that this is not an allowable use
of the trust.
Department of Public Works Budget — DPW Director Jeff Zager noted that 35% of the
budget is salaries and 67% is expenses. The budget submitted is level funded. Unions
represent 79% of the workforce. In equipment maintenance, the Department has
identified a five year average. Equipment replacement is a big help especially Fire
Department equipment in managing this budget. One option available is.to shift money to
the Enterprise Funds in the Engineering area related to storm water management.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked about regionalization, and Jeff Zager indicated that he
has met with other communities. Regionalization of vehicle maintenance is not done in
Massachusetts, and he will continue to look at this option. The Department has also
created a third lift in a small bay which helps with vehicle maintenance.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 16, 2010—Page 3
Jeff Zager noted that there is a new line in solid waste which is the Town's portion for the
landfill monitoring cost. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if we could go back to
Dickinson, and the Town Manager indicated that he did not think that would be
successful. Town Engineer George Zambouras noted that future testing will depend on
results of the current testing.
In Recreation, additional overtime has been provided which will be fiulded by the
revolving fund. In the past, this has been done through comp time. Other adjustments are
due to contractual,requirements.
In rubbish and recycling, 2011 is the last year of the current contract. They are looking at
regional alternatives for disposal and collection.
Library Budget — Library Director Ruth Urell presented the Library budget. She noted
that the Town would not be implementing the pay and classification structure in 2011.
_ The Technology Librarian position will be filled. They will continue to not have hours on
Thursday morning. The budget will not meet the requirements of funding to fully qualify
for State Aid.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked to see the NOBLE Budget. Grants, gifts and donations
constitute a percent of the annual revenue. Salaries constitute 70% of the budget. Board
of Library Trustees Member Dave Hutchinson indicated that the staff is the part of the
Library, and the Library Board would like to 'see the pay and classification program
funded. Selectman Anthony also asked what the capital iri the amount of$12,000 spent
last year was, and Ruth Urell indicated that it was for the book drops.
Enterprise Budgets Selectman Camille Anthony suggested that the dollar value of the
reserves should be corrected. Staff noted that the MWRA shows a 0% increase which
has been the direction to staff regarding the MWRA Budget. Selectman Anthony asked
about the overall condition of the water system, and George Zambouras indicated that it
is very good. Selectman Anthony also asked about the status of Memorial Park
improvements, and George Zambouras noted that they were opening bids on February 12,
2010.
Selectman Richard Schubert noted that we need to look at the budget in light of the
broader economic times. This should help us prioritize. The Library has demanded for
circulation and workshops related to the economy. In the assessment area,there are likely
to be more abatements. In the Police Department, they are likely to be busier. The
Finance Department is likely to be more involved in consulting regarding the ability to
pay.
The Board of Selectmen was asked to fill out forms that will be sent to them
electronically related to their priorities for the FY 2011 Budget.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 16 2010—Page 4
Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that it would be helpful to see calls for service for Police,
Fire and the.Library. The Town Manager noted that this is ongoing information that is
available in the Monthly Reports, and the Board indicated -that they had not seen the
Monthly Reports in the Weekly Notes. Henceforth, the Monthly Reports will be sent
directly to the Board of Selectmen .
On motion by Goldy seconded by Schubert the Board of Selectmen voted to
adjourn the meeting of January 16; 2010 at 11.16 a.m. by a vote of 4-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary