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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-11-05 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting November 5, 1984 Present were Chairman Maureen O'Brien (arrived late), Paul Dustin, John Russell, Mary Ziegler, John Agnew, Executive Secretary, David Carroll, Shirley Buzderewicz, Susan Theophanis, George Sweezey, Barbara Hewitt, Dick Dempster, Lieutenant Kevin Patterson, Dick Snow. Personnel& Appointments Fair Housing Committee - The Board interviewed candidates David Carroll, from MassBank for Savings, Shirley Buzderewicz from BayBank Middlesex, Susan Theophanis, Kaine & Wentworth, George Sweezey, Sweezey Real Estate, Barbara Hewitt and a member from the Reading Housing Authority Dick Dempster. The Committee will oversee the Fair Housing policy for the Town of Reading. Paul Dustin read the proposed action plan for the committee. Maureen O'Brien joined the meeting. She suggested the Committee's recormnendations should be ready for Spring Town Meeting. Prospective members felt Town Boards should be represented on the committee. Maureen O'Brien stated if the committee met and felt strongly that should be done, they could recommend that to the Board but she felt Town Boards should be used as resources. Susan Theophanis asked to have her name held. John Russell moved that the Board of Selectmen appoint Shirley Buzderewicz, David Carroll, George Sweezey, Barbara Hewitt and Richard Dempster to the Fair Housing Committee. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Maureen O'Brien asked for a Chairman pro tem to get the committee started. John Russell nominated David Carroll as Chairman pro tem. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Discussion/Action Items Police Department - Paul Dustin presented the Lieutenant's Badge to Kevin Patterson and it was pinned on by his wife. Right-To-Know - The State is not allowing reimbursement for consultants but instead is proposing training. Parade Permit - Mary Ziegler moved to approve the request for a parade permit from the American Legion Post 62 for their Annual Christmas party on December 15"'. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 5, 1984—Page 2 Memorandum of Understanding—Mary Ziegler moved that the Board of Selectmen sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the Mystic Valley Elder Care for their Meals Program. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Miscellaneous - Mary Ziegler moved that the Board of Selectmen use the $817.92 referenced in the October 291h letter from the Attorney General as available funds in the Council on Aging budget in their pot luck program. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote, with John Russell abstaining. John Russell reported that the Chairman pro tem of the Fair Housing Committee is a resident of Wilmington. The Town Clerk and the Board felt that was not an issue. Purchase of Depot - Mr. David Snow also had a proposal for use of the Depot. Paul Dustin inquired whether Mi. Snow knew of the other meeting. John Agnew reported that Mr. Snow was out of town and couldn't return in time. Mr. Snow stated he and his wife are interested in the property for commercial or retail purposes. He stated that while the building needed substantial work, he intended to complete needed work in the spirit of historic preservation. They would be looking for elimination of waiting and ticket sales area. The DPW is working with the META to get paving in the parking lot at the Depot. Maureen O'Brien stated the deed restriction requiring the waiting room would probably not be waived. Mr. Snow stated there would be a difference in price if the waiting room and station master area could not be waived. The Board discussed Board of Appeals, zoning and building issues with the applicant. His project hinges on income tax credits and all renovations would need to be completed within a year. Paul Dustin asked for input from Town Counsel whether scaled bids are required. John Russell suggested the Board go forward in negotiations with both parties separately as both proposals were still very unclear. The Selectmen outlined what they felt the procedure should be for negotiations. Mr. Hurley was present and felt the rules of the game kept changing. Maureen O'Brien asked for final prices with all conditions, and one representative from the Historical Commission would be present in the Executive Session. The tentative meeting date was set for November 20th in Executive Session. Report of the Executive Secretary—The State is planning in-house training on the Right- to-Know requirements. John Agnew stated he had received listings from the Building Maintenance and Fire Departments. The Light Department stated they are in complete compliance and will forward their documentation. The Police and DPW will be complete by next week, and the School Department is working on their lists. The Police Union will hold a Labor Relations seminar on November 30"'. John Agnew has requested a decision from the State as to handicapped access funding since there are both State and Federal laws. He stated he is looking into the Middlesex County health plan. He will circulate the information to the Insurance Committee and the James Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 5, 1984—Page 3 Company. The plan is based on a flat rate cost. James stated he could not give accurate rates eight months in advance. Maureen O'Brien felt we needed some figures when the Board met with the Finance Committee. They reviewed the Warrant for the Fall Town Meeting in November. Public Works building and construction is not on that agenda but there is money for drainage and sewer. There are articles for the renovation of Town Hall. There is a Special Town Meeting for January. Maureen O'Brien has been asked to meet with Jeff Barker, Russ Graham and Jeff Butler for coordination purposes. Chairman's Report - The Dog Officer is only available as an emergency in the evenings and need coverage for overtime. The public should call the Police Department for service. The last audit session went smoothly but there are issues that are not yet resolved. The auditors will staff in December to have the audit for the end of the year at an additional cost of $10,000. The Finance Committee will have to approve the expenditure. Maureen O'Brien spoke about future anticipated audit costs of$25,000 if everything is perfect and more for extended review. She reviewed anticipated meeting dates and agenda items. Liaison Reports- John Russell noted the Fire Chief would be on vacation the week of the 11"'. Deputy Chief Cail will be in charge. The Chief also wrote concerned about Civil Service policy as a result of the handicapped law. Discussed the need to hire before the physical exam. Discussed State agility requirements for firefighters. John Russell stated the Salvation Army has invited attendees at their centennial celebration at a cost of $35.00 each. Mary Ziegler received an invitation to attend the annual dinner of the elderly of Reading on November 18th and she will attend. Discussed whether elderly van would be traded in and which funds, including donations,needed to be appropriated at Town Meeting. Cable TV Committee - The Committee would like to change the number of meetings in the year. Mary Ziegler moved that the Board of Selectmen accept the proposed amendments as stated in their October 16t" letter. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. There are two Vacancies. There are also vacancies on the Personnel Board and Planning Board. Oil Bids - Oil prices will be increasing 87% and bids show price adjustments of 100%. Mr. Darby will evaluate and convert all bids to equal unit price and then the Board will vote. Maureen O'Brien stated the Police Department has requested Executive Session negotiations. These sessions should begin within a month of the date of the letter, no later than December ls'. ~ Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 5, 1984—Page 4 Negotiating teams were announced: Paul Dustin, Police and DPW; Jack Russell, Fire and Engineers; Paul Landers, DPW and Town Hall; Molly Ziegler, Police and Town Hall; Maureen O'Brien, Fire and Engineers. Maureen O'Brien suggested Mr. Drachman be present at Town Hall negotiations. She has also received correspondence from the Labor Relations Board. The Board discussed the Horth situation. They also discussed State welfare oversight and indigent versus disabled. Only other neighbor is Revay Wells and the railroad tracks. Paul Dustin noted at our meeting on October 1st that we had a motion that we recommend a continuance for six months. Passed 3-2 but the Treasurer did not follow through. Paul Dustin was upset that one individual made a decision and that in one year, the Town becomes responsible for meeting the building code and rebuilding the house. These summary minutes were prepared by Nancy L. Eaton from two 90-minute tapes dated 11/5/84, provided by the Town of Reading, on December 31, 1999.