HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-08-18 Board of Selectmen Minutes - Executive Session Board of Selectmen Meeting
Executive Session
August 18, 2009
The meeting convened in the Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts.
Present were Chairman Ben Tafoya, Selectmen Richard Schubert and Stephen Goldy, Town
Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Human Resource Administrator Carol Roberts, Police Chief
James Cormier and Labor Counsel Nathan Kaitz.
Quinn Bill
The Town Manager noted that Chief Cormier is here as Chief of the Department. For purpose of
full disclosure,he is also a recipient of Quinn Bill payments.
The Town Manager reviewed the material that the Selectmen received on background of the
Quinn Bill. The question was asked as to what the difference is between the Town's share of the
Quinn Bill and the so called old language if the Quinn Bill was rescinded. In 2008 the Town's
share of the Quinn Bill was $210,000 and the Town's payment under the so called old language
could be $120,000.
There were more questions about how many Police Officers have been hired without a degree
and then received a degree when they were employees of the Town.
With regard to strategy, the Town Manager and Labor Counsel recommended that a Warrant
Article be placed on the Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant to rescind the Quinn Bill. Labor
Counsel will draft letters to both the Police Patrolmen Union and the Superior Officers Union
indicating the Board's intent to do that. The hope is that this would have the same affect as
similar action in Newton in bringing the Patrol Officer's Union back to the bargaining table with
regard to at least the 2008 Quinn Bill reimbursement under payment in 2009 from the state.
Chairman Tafoya asked the Town Manager to update James Bonazoli and Camille Anthony on
the discussion.
On motion by Schubert seconded by Goldy the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn the
Executive Session at 7:50 p.m. on a roll call vote with all three members votinIz in the
affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary