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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-12-10 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting December 10, 1984 Present were Chainnan Maureen O'Brien, Paul Dustin, Paul Landers, John Russell, Mary Ziegler, Jolm Agnew, Executive Secretary, Bob Parenti, Philip Reed, William Spimiey, Doug Roberts, Fire Chief, Stephen Lewko, Daniel Cahoon, Kevin Kelly, .Richard Puopolo, Robert Zanni, Gary Buonarosa, Gregory Burns, Michael Holmes, Peter Marchetti. Discussion/Action Items Atlantic Richfield Company Proposal - Maureen O'Brien invited the representatives from the Atlantic Richfield Company to come forward. She read into the record the abutters who were notified of the hearing. Bob Parenti, the Real Estate Manager and Philip Reed, Engineer for Atlantic Richfield presented their plan for their station at Main and Hopkins Street to remove metal, replace with fiberglass storage tanks and add additional storage. They would remove five 4,000- gallon tai-Acs and put in three 12,000-gallon tanks. Increased capacity will decrease delivery trips and can result in financial savings and less traffic. Paul Dustin spoke in opposition as an abutter in the neighborhood and a Selectman due to safety and traffic concerns. He supported the change to fiberglass tanks. He asked what traffic studies they had conducted, and how the impact on the neighborhood could be reduced. The spokesperson stated he was unaware of the situation. Maureen O'Brien noted cueing problems into the street. The Selectmen discussed the timetable for traffic lights, the problems with the curb cuts, the discount rates, traffic volume and safety concerns. William Spinney, abutter to the property, inquired what the daily gallonage at the station is. He stated there are one or two delivery trucks a night from midnight to 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning. He requested day delivery and mitigation of the gasoline smell. John Russell stated he would like to see a comparison of other stations-in Reading. Doug Roberts of 91 Hopkins Street inquired about the decisions on traffic lights. Paul Dustin reviewed the history of the proj ect. Paul Dustin moved that the Board of Selectmen table the request by Atlantic Richfield Company pending another meeting with Atlantic Richfield at a time to be determined by them. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Liquor Licenses - There were no outstanding issues for any location. Mary Ziegler moved that the Board of Selectmen grant a Club Liquor License to the Knights of Columbus at 11 Sanborn Street. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 10, 1984—Page 2 Paul Dustin moved that the Board of Selectmen grant Club Liquor Licenses for 1985 to Reading Veteran's Association, Inc. 37 Ash Street, Reading Overseas Veteran's, Inc., 575 Main Street and the Meadow Brook Golf Club Corp., 292 Grove Street, each license being acted upon separately. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Paul Dustin moved that the Board of Selectmen grant Restaurant Liquor Licenses for 1985 to Harrows Poultry Products, Inc., 126 Main Street and Reading Diner, Inc., 530 Main Street, each being acted upon separately. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Paul Dustin moved that the Board of Selectmen grant Package Store Liquor Licenses to Reading Square Liquors, Inc., 607 Main Street, Reading Liquors, Inc., 345 Main Street and Hel-Char, 1349 Main Street, each license being acted upon separately. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. One-Day Alcoholic Liquor License - Paul Dustin moved that the Board of Selectmen grant a one-day all-alcoholic beverage license to Austin Prep for December 28, 1984. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote, subject to the Police Department's approval for adequate protection. Unemployment Payments - John Russell moved that the Board of Selectmen approve payment of $5,937 for unemployment benefits for the month ending October 31, composed of$140 for the Town and $5,797 for the schools. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Fire Department - The Chief presented nine candidates for four openings. There is one individual out on disability, and retirement may be submitted within a few months but certainly within the year. The Department has already paid $7,064 in overtime to replace this person. A new firefighter over that same four months would have cost $6,040 or $1,000 less. The Chief stated each hiring took ten months to accomplish from requisition to filling the vacancy. The vacant positions, which the Board would vote on tonight, were submitted in March for three appointments. He recommended three provisional appointments and four alternates be selected. The candidates have not officially received Civil Service certification but these candidates have taken and passed the physical, strength and agility exams. There is no mandatory firefighter training but the Fire Academy does conduct recruit classes twice a year for seven weeks each. Those are booked for the next year. Local departments have courses but none conducting training in January. The Chief stated the department would need to conduct their own training. John Russell moved that the Board appoint four provisionals leading to pennalient positions as Firefighters. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 10, 1984—Page 3 Stephen Lewko, Daniel Cahoon, Kevin Kelly, Richard Puopolo, Robert Zanni, Gary Buonarosa, Gregory Burns, Michael Holmes and Peter Marchetti were interviewed. The list was established in April of 1984 and will expire April 1, 1986. The Chief recommended the top four on the list, and four alternates from the remaining five in case one or more were not certified. The first appointment must be made from candidates 1-3, second appointment from candidates 1-5, third appointment from candidates 1-7, and a fourth appointment from candidates 1-9. He suggested appointment effective January 5tn, the start of a pay period and they would report on Monday, January 7t They would work Monday through Friday days until they were ready to join a regular crew. John Russell nominated Stephen W. Lewko, Daniel W. Cahoon, Kevin F. Kelly, Richard A. Puopolo, Robert M. Zanni, Gary J. Buonarosa, Gregory J. Burns, Michael K. Holmes, and Peter Allen Marchetti for provisional appointment to the Reading Fire Department. Each Selectman has four votes. The first four candidates that receive a majority vote will be the provisional appointments. The Selectmen voted: Stephen W. Lewko, 5-0; Daniel W. Cahoon, 5-0; Kevin F. Kelly, 5-0; Richard A. Puopolo, 5-0. These four were appointed as the four provisional candidates. Paul Dustin inquired if there was any ranking for the other candidates other than alphabetical. The Chief felt there was no way to differentiate between the candidates that received 97. Civil Service stated ignore grades but to follow the listing. Paul Dustin recommended trying to see if the next candidate on the list could come in for an interview tonight and, if not, to postpone making a decision tonight on the alternates. The Chief stated the appointments had to be made by Friday. Maureen O'Brien stated there would be a Thursday Executive Meeting, they could interview the other candidate prior to that, and the Board could vote on the alternates on Thursday. The applicants entered the room and Maureen O'Brien announced the four successful candidates and stated they would interview another candidate on Thursday, and vote on the alternate appointments on Thursday. Chairman's Report - Maureen O'Brien announced the Board needed an Executive Session on Thursday night. She checked with Counsel about release of Executive Session minutes. As long as the author of the submitted document agrees, it can be released. He has done so and the Board can now release information from the Executive Session. The Veteran's District contract has come in and there are some questions. Tonight's budget discussions will take place assuming that will take place. As far as the Town Accountant Search Committee, she contacted proposed representatives. John Agnew stated there were at least a dozen resumes. Paul Landers asked for six sets of the resumes for the committee. Maureen O'Brien stated she changed the agenda dates for budgets, and the Police will come in on December 27th and Civil Defense will come in next week. Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 10, 1984—Page 4 Affirmative Action.- Maureen O'Brien announced there is an affirmative action suit that has been filed against the Town. She stated it was unfortunate that their action was taken as a slight against any one of the candidates. Paul Dustin stated he talked to the Police Chief. He asked if the Board would reconsider the previous action and create two additional Patrolmen positions at the present time. He read the Chief's letter with additional retirements in March and stressed a savings of $45,000 in overtime if an additional two patrolmen are appointed. He could send them all.to school in January and have them on the street by March. There would be no loss of seniority. Mary Ziegler asked if the Board needed to interview more than six if six were appointed. Town Counsel has asked the Board not to make any more appointments until he appears in Court on the 21" of December. The suit would place the appointment of the four officers on hold. John Agnew stated he would call Civil Service and extend the list. Maureen O'Brien stated all 14 were interviewed by the Chief and were screened as to who came before the Board. Paul Dustin made a plea for reconsideration and additional appointments. Fire Budget - Maureen O'Brien asked the Chief if he needed 2 %2% in the fire alarm budget. She has seen the request for the past six years and she wondered how much of this was necessary. The Chief stated the system was complex, continued to get more complex, outlined the known building projects, and noted the whistle has not sounded recently. The cost to repair is $850. He noted that as hourly rates go up, the number of hours available goes down. John Agnew asked if the Town needed street boxes. The Chief said the nuisance boxes where they get the many false alarms (across from the high school and corner of Wakefield and Pearl Street) could be removed. He stated the cost of the boxes was minimal once it was installed, described a minimal fire truck and what was included on the quote he had submitted. He stated he needed a new truck now because he was concerned about Engine 2, purchased in 1979, which was constructed by three different manufacturers, was poorly built and designed, and is costly to maintain. He described the other fire equipment. He would like to let the reserve have their own truck and make greater use of the reserve. He stated given a loss of men or a new truck, he could make do with the old engine for another year. John Russell looked at fees for lease-purchase versus bonding and it was cheaper to bond. The Selectmen agreed to submit the truck request as part of the budget. The Chief estimated the ambulance could only last another t-,vo years. John Russell moved that the Board of Selectmen approve the Fire Department expense budget of $44,194, nonenergy and $8,713 energy. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. John Russell moved that the Board of Selectmen approve the salary budget considering it level funded at $1,343,158. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 10, 1984—Page 5 John Russell moved that the Board of Selectmen approve the budget for the fire alarm. The motion was seconded. Mary Ziegler moved that the Board of Selectmen approve the special article. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. John Russell moved that the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the fire alanm budget: $8,904 salary, $3,770 for expenses, total of $12,674. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Joluz Russell moved that the Board of Selectmen approve $140,000 as a capital expenditure for Fiscal '86 for a fire truck. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. The Board discussed clothing allowances. Jolu-i Russell moved that the Board of Selectmen approve a budget of $5,950 for clothing. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. The Board discussed contract terms that were not in this year's contract as issues to raise again. Veteran's Budget- Maureen O'Brien stated the veteran's budget was just received. - - Police - Paul Dustin moved that the Board of Selectmen approve a Clerk for the Chief due to extended sick time. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Christmas/New Year's Eve Hours — The Board discussed employees taking all day off only if they used a vacation or leave, half day or early leaving. Previously, the Board had just voted to keep Town Hall open for business, and employees who left early made up the time. Maureen O'Brien read the official policy letter and the Board reviewed the language. Mr. Drachman said the Board could take an even or a heavy approach. The Board objected to the Department Heads letter that was distributed, and felt employees were now overriding the jurisdiction of the Selectmen. These summary minutes were prepared by Nancy L. Eaton from two 90-minute tapes dated 12/10/84,provided by the Town of Reading, on January 2, 2000.