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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-12-17 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting December 17, 1984 Present were Chairman Maureen O'Brien, Paul Dustin, John Russell, Mary Ziegler, John Agnew, Executive Secretary. Discussion/Action Items Building Department Budget - Paul Dustin reported he had looked at energy expense and he noted it was up 2'/z%. He noted there was a 1.6% increase against FinCom's guideline of 1.6%. He stated the Building 1lispector's budget was heavily labor intensive. Salaries and wages this year are the same as last year. Discussed secretarial overtime in the conservation and building budgets. Discussed inspectors versus percentage of fees. Maureen O'Brien requested Charley Stamatis review the budget figures as to what his salary was, secretarial expense and the number of hours for the inspectors and the related cost. He noted that 75% of expenses comes out of the fees. Maureen O'Brien asked Mr. Stamatis to review fee structure to see if any need is to be increased and submit it by December 27"'. Discussed getting a replacement in two months before he retired to bring the new inspector up to speed on activities. Regular inspections, such as schools, have not been done for three years. Discussed the cost of additional person and expenses which will need to be included in the proposed budget. Veteran's Agent Budget—The Board discussed the contract terms and the need to include in the budget Blue Cross/Blue Shield and retirement expenses and discussed contract language. John Russell recommended that the hours be reviewed and determined each year depending on each Town's workload. The Board raised several questions on language and requested Town Counsel to review. Changes were recommended on Page 12 and to look at language on Pages 17 and 18. The Board agreed to postpone action until their meeting on December 27th. The Board then reviewed the salary budget. Maureen O'Brien stated the Veteran's Agent was not eligible for longevity allowance. She noted the district would pay salary increases after July 1st. The Town has supplied a typewriter so that can be deleted from proposed expenses. Maureen O'Brien requested changes be retyped and submitted. John Russell moved that the Board of Selectmen approve the Veteran's Agent.budget for $14,504.88 for salary, 1,720 for nonenergy and 45,000 for veteran's aid for a total of $61,224.88. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. The Board discussed providing a district report versus separate Town reports. Civil Defense Budget - The Board discussed reimbursements from the Federal Govenunent that may come from a different fiscal year since theirs starts in October, and discussed reserving sufficient funds to move the operation from the Community Center when it is sold. Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 17 1984—Page 2 Paul Dustin moved that the Board of Selectmen approve the Civil Defense budget. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Report of the Executive Secretga - John Agnew discussed proposed grant for low flow water heads in Town buildings. John Russell moved that the Board of Selectmen approve the application of the Conservation Commission for 310 CMR 34.00 water conservation grants program. The motion was seconded. John Agnew stated he thought it was $3,000. Maureen O'Brien stated the Town's efforts at Affirmative Action should be included in the grant. The State has not responded to what has been submitted. Mover and seconder agreed to include that in the original motion, and was approved by a unanimous vote. John Agnew stated another appraisal had been submitted on the Community Center. There are still roof problems. The Town had been leery about accepting the low bidder and he recommended the bond be taken. The roof was done in 1982. Data Processing budget has just been received. The Town Manager of Wilmington wants to follow up on the Light Department Meeting. County Program—Maureen O'Brien reported the County Board established an alcoholic treatment program, 14-day in-patient program for drunk drivers which is a half million dollar program until June. Blue Cross does not cover these costs. Maureen O'Brien felt the cost of the program was excessive. The State will reimburse costs but they have not to date. Next year, the cost will be over a million dollars. The program will be mandatory on the second offense. Experience is no repeat offenders for two years. Other communities recommended the program but preferred that county employees not be hired during the trial period but be contract employees. John Russell moved that the Board of Selectmen approve a request to run buses for the Army down Route 93 for one week, one round trip per day. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Paul Dustin moved that the Board of Selectmen appoint John W. Agnew, Jr., as Acting Town Accountant until a successor has been appointed. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. John Russell moved that the Board of Selectmen approve the request of the Reading Clergy to have a Christmas on the Common on December 23, 1984. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. John Russell moved that the Chairman be authorized to sign the proposed letter from the Fire Chief to be sent to the appointees. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 17, 1984—Page 3 John Agnew submitted the Civil Service list for the Chairman to sign. Motion was made to adjourn the Board of Selectmen Meeting of December 17, 1984. The motion was seconded and all members present voted in the affirmative. These summary minutes were prepared by Nancy L. Eaton from one 90-minute tape dated 12/17/84,provided by the Town of Reading, on January 4, 2000. I