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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-07-30 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting July 30, 1984 i Present were Chairman Maureen O'Brien, Paul Landers, John Russell, Mary Ziegler, John Agnew, Executive Secretary, Moderator John Faria, Treasurer Beth Klepeis, Town Accountant Ray McDonald, Collector C. Dewey Smith, Russell Graham, Robert Nordstrand. Personnel& Appointments Reading Arts Council - John Russell moved that Jeanette C. Doughty and Adrienne Caselle be appointed to the Reading Arts Council for a period of three years. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Mary Ziegler moved that (Robert Foley or Larry Drew) be appointed for a three-year term to the Board of Registrars. The motion was seconded and approved-by a unanimous vote. Discussion/Action Items Contract - Firefi hters - It was moved, seconded and unanimously voted to approve and sign the Firefighter's labor negotiation contract for a period of one year. John Russell moved that the meeting of the Board of Selectmen be adjourned until after I the meeting with the Moderator, Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee. The motion was seconded by Mary Ziegler and approved by a unanimous vote. The Finance Committee Appointment Committee was called to order by Town Moderator John Faria. There are five openings, three incumbents seeking reappointment: Henry Kaplan, William Hughes and Eric Shane; and five new candidates: Ellen Curran, Vincent D'Antona, Roberta Botticelli, Donald Green and Donald Allen. Russell Graham, Chairman of the Finance Committee, reviewed.the extent of work and time involved in service on this committee. He stated all three candidates for reappointment were recommended. Maureen O'Brien moved to nominate for reappointment: Henry H. Kaplan, William J. Hughes and Eric M. Shane and to appoint Ellen C. Curran, Vincent J. D'Antona, Roberta Botticelli and Donald C. Allen as candidates for appointment to the Finance Committee for four three-year terms. The motion was seconded. Ellen Curran removed her name from consideration and she was encouraged to apply for another volunteer position. It was moved and seconded to leave one position open. until Ellen Curran can be interviewed. The motion was carried. Maureen O'Brien polled the Board of Selectmen as to which candidates she should vote for. She called the names of Vincent J. D'Antona, Roberta Botticelli, Donald C. Allen iand the Selectmen voted by raising their hands. For reappointment, called the names of Henry Kaplan, William J. Hughes and Eric Shane. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 30, 1984—Page 2 The Moderator John Faria called the question. Henry Kaplan, William Hughes, Eric Shane each received "ayes" and Donald Allen received two "ayes". Henry Kaplan, William Hughes, Eric Shane and Donald Allen were appointed. All candidates not appointed are available for appointment at the next session. Maureen O'Brien moved and it was seconded to adjourn the Finance Committee Appointment Committee meeting by a unanimous vote. Maureen O'Brien reopened the Board of Selectmen meeting. Correspondence - Maureen O'Brien read a letter expressing concern that not one of the members of the Board of Selectmen attended a Veteran's ceremony. Setting the Tax Rate - Robert Nordstrand from the Board of Assessors, Treasurer Beth Klepeis, Town Accountant Ray McDonald and Collector C. Dewey Smith were present. Dewey Smith presented the Collector's Report through May, and stated totals through June will be available by August 1". Deadlines for filing with the State were discussed as well as the financial complications since Proposition 2Y2. Production deadlines were reviewed. Before the end of the year, a Reserve Fund Transfer of approximately $2,000 will be needed to pay for the overtime in producing the figures needed and Fincom should be informed. Proposition 2 !/2- Changes in the law now allow past as well as future debt to be included and renew the cap by increasing the tax assessment by a specified amount. There can be several ballot questions: (1) To approve an override to increase the tax rate by 5%, a majority vote is required; (2) If the amount in the question is larger and there is no limit, a two-thirds vote is required; (3)A separate section that allows the Town to exempt debt and interest, past or future. The question can itemize what items are excluded such as Library, Fire Station, Town Hall, DPW Garage. That question requires a majority vote to pass. Outstanding debt only applies to new payments after November, 1980. Town Meeting passed an instructional motion to place these questions on the ballot. Assessed rates and projected income were discussed as well as State aid and employee wage increases and insurance rates. Russell Graham from the Finance Committee and School Committee Members participated in the discussion. Maureen O'Brien felt if the DPW facility were excluded, the funds could be available and spoke against an override. The questions do not have to be on the State Election ballot but may be on a special or local ballot. The question does not have to go to the State but must be decided in time to have the ballots printed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 30 1984—Page 3 John Russell moved that at least a question under Paragraph K of Chapter 59, Section 21C be put on the November State Ballot: Shall the Town of Reading be allowed to exempt from the provisions of Proposition 2%a the amount required to pay for the bond issues in order to relocate the DPW facilities, and to reconstruct and renovate the Town Hall-Library Complex. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. John Russell moved that the Board of Selectmen place on the November ballot a question under Paragraph G that the Town of Reading be allowed to assess X amount which is 2 %Z percent of the FY '85 levy in real and personal property taxes for fiscal year beginning July 1, 1985; and that a second question be placed on the ballot under Paragraph G that the Town of Reading be allowed to assess X amount which is 7 %2 percent of the '85 levy in real and personal property taxes for fiscal year beginning July 1, 1985. The motion was seconded and unanimously defeated. There is still an option for placing an override question on the Spring ballot, and the budget will be more concrete at that time. Traffic/Roadway Issues - Summer Avenue/Main Street Signal. The Town has a report from an outside consultant. Requests should be made to the State as an Urban Systems Project similar to the way South Street was handled. 75%would be federally funded and 25% funded by the State. The right-of-way must be provided by the municipality. Municipal projects that are on the shelf ready to go get selected first. The State Representative outlined the procedure to be followed. South Street took three or four years for installation. John Russell moved that the Town of Reading request a letter be sent to the Mass. DPW, Charles Mistrada, District Highway Engineer, copy to L. Lange, requesting that the traffic lights at Summer Avenue and Main Street as described in the BSC engineering study be proceeded with as an Urban Systems Project, or under any other appropriate program to facilitate their rapid deployment. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Pearl Street School Rentals - Mary Ziegler moved that the Board of Selectmen approve the request of the School Committee to rent the Pearl Street School and to retain the rents so received from the tenants listed in the letter dated July 26, 1984, LaPierre School of Dance, Red Sneakers and others. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Correspondence — A letter was received from Commercial Risk Services. Maureen O'Brien requested to speak with the Fire Chief about the subject. The Town still has Class 4 confirmation rates. The report discussed the water flow needed for fire protection. This item will be placed on the next agenda. There are also retirements and appointment of employees that will be needed. Discussion about the Fire Department Mechanic is necessary. Insurance and future agenda items were discussed. A request for parking on one side only on Oak Street was referred to the Safety Officer. A letter was received from Administration&Finance on a right-to-know course. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 30, 1984—Page 4 Discussed an Article on the November Warrant for a Charter Commission to review and recommend a form of government. Some Selectmen have received a lot of public input while others have heard no comments., Proposed language was discussed. John Russell moved to go into Executive Session for labor negotiations. The motion was seconded by Paul Landers and approved by a unanimous vote. The Meeting adjourned to Executive Session. The above minutes were prepared by Nancy L. Eaton on December 24, 1999, from two 90-minute tapes dated 7/30/84 of Board of Selectmen meeting, provided by the Town of Reading,