HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-08-10 Board of Selectmen Minutes - Executive Session i
Board of Selectmen Meeting
Executive Session
August 10, 2010
The meeting convened at 10:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading
Massachusetts. Present were Chairman James Bonazoli, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony and
Selectmen Stephen Goldy and Ben Tafoya. Also present were Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner
and Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur.
Labor Negotiations
The Town Manager presented to the Board of Selectmen a pair of consecutive two year contracts for
the Firefighter's Union extending from FY 2011 to FY 2012 and FY 2013 to FY 2014. The
Firefighters wanted a three year contract, and the Town wanted contract(s) that would all expire at the
same time including the School Department contracts. The proposed pair of contracts would have an
expiration date that would be consistent with three year contracts negotiated for other unions including
schools beginning in FY 2012.
The first contract is a 0% COLA, 0 steps for FY 2011, and a 2% COLA and steps in FY 2012. The
second contract for FY 2013 is a 2%o COLA on July 12012 and a 1.5% COLA on January 1 2013, and
for FY 2014, a 2% COLA on July 1 2013.and a 1.5% COLA on January 1, 2014. The total value of
the two contracts is 8%.
Members of the Board of Selectmen expressed support for the first of the contracts, and reservations
about the second contract because of financial concerns. The Town Manager noted that the
Firefighters are below their peer group in salaries, and this will help to address that disparity. If this
contract went to the Joint Labor Management Committee (JLMC), they would look at two issues: Are
the members of the Union being fairly compensated relative to their peers, and does the community
have an ability to pay what is needed to get them to that level. In the Town Manager's opinion; the
Town would lose on both issues since the Town has a respectable cash reserve balance.
Board members understood the situation and felt that if the contract becomes unaffordable, the Town
would have to reduce staff to address the situation when/if that becomes the case.
The Union has ratified the two contracts as submitted.
On a motion by Anthony seconded by.Goldy, the Board of Selectmen approved the contract
between the Reading Firefighter's Association -and the Town of Reading effective July 1,2010
and expiring June 30, 2012, and the Board of Selectmen authorizes the Town Manager to. sign
the contract on the Town's behalf. The motion was approved on a roll call vote with all four
members voting in the affirmative.
On a motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy, the Board of Selectmen approved the contract
between the Reading Firefighter's Association and the Town of Reading effective July 1, 2012
and expiring June 30, 2014,and the Board of Selectmen authorizes the Town Manager to sign
the contract on the Town's behalf. The motion was approved on a roll call vote with all four
members voting in the affirmative.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—Executive Session—August 10, 2010—Page 2
Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Goidy seconded by Bonazoli, the Board of Selectmen approved the Executive
Session Minutes of June 22, 2010 on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the
affirmative.
On a motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli, the Board of Selectmen adjourned the Executive
Session Meeting of August 10,2010 at 11:10 p.m. on a roll call vote with all four members voting
in the affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
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