HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-26 Board of Selectmen Minutes - Executive Session Board of Selectmen Meeting
Executive Session
May 26,2009
The Executive Session convened in the Town Hall Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts at 8:30 PM. Present were Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya,
Secretary James Bonazoli, Selectman Camille Anthony, Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur.
Labor Negotiations
The Town Manager reviewed the issue of the State's not funding the full amount of the
Quinn Bill reimbursement in 2009 for payments made by the Town to employees in FY
2008. .This is reimbursement for money paid out by the Town in 2008. He reviewed the
Town's contract which has the same language for both the Police Patrol Officers and the
Police Superior Officers. This language says in substance that if the State does not fund
all or any part of its share of the Quinn Bill, then the Town's only obligation is to pay its
share of the Quinn Bill. This could be interpreted that the Police Patrol Officers and
Police Superior Officers would only get 50% of the Quinn Bill even though the State has
paid 91% of its 50% obligation. The other interpretation would receive the Town's 50%
and the State reimbursed 41%. The Officers would owe back to the Town whatever the
State has not reimbursed—9% of the state half or 4.5%.
The Town Manager will be meeting with the Police Officers this week to hear their
interpretation and to listen to proposals that they may have with regard to this matter.
The Board members expressed concern that the Town cannot pay what it has not been
reimbursed, and the Town Manager noted that there may be other items that could save
an equal amount of money and be of interest in the Town's negotiating.
The Town Manager noted that for the FY 2008/17Y 2009 issue, he would like to get this
resolved before the end of June.
It also appears that the State is not going to fully fund the Quinn Bill in the 2010 Budget
and that is the next but very important issue that will also need to be resolved.
The Board had a brief discussion about the changes to the non-union Compensation Plan,
what the cost would be, and whether or not the Town can afford it. The Town Manager
noted that he felt that it was important to be consistent among all employees, and if the
Unions received their cost of living increase in FY 2010 that the non-union employees
should also receive their increase.
Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya asked us to have information about the cost of the cost of
living increase as proposed would be. It was noted that a 2% cost of living increase has
been included in the FY 2010 Budget as adopted by Town Meeting.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—Executive Session—May 26, 2009—Page 2
On motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli, the Board voted to adjourn their
Executive Session Meeting of May 26, 2009 at 9:05 p.m. on a roll call vote with all
three members voting in the affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary