Chairman Mauceri called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. in Room 14 at the Town Hall in the presence of members Mr. Veno, Mr. Dardeno, Mr. O’Leary, Mr. Harris and the Town Administrator Greg Balukonis.
#1. TOWN MEETING ASSIGNMENTS
Chairman Mauceri assigned warrant article presenters for the Special Town Meeting and the Annual Town Meeting.
#2. BALLOT QUESTION APPROVAL
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO PLACE THE OVERRIDE QUESTION BEFORE THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN FOR RECONSIDERATION.
MOTION BY: MR. O’LEARY
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
No action was taken on this motion.
Chairman Mauceri updated the Board on the recent Finance Planning Team meeting. He noted the School department representatives did not support an Override question on the ballot. The Finance Committee has not taken a position.
Mr. Dardeno thinks the likelihood of passing an Override in FY09 and 2010 is slight. He indicated the School Committee voted 4-1 to not seek an Override.
Mr. Veno supports an Override on the basis of trash fees. He is concerned funds will be taken from the municipal budget to supplement the schools. Mr. Veno believes an Override is appropriate given the unique situation at Town Meeting.
Mr. Harris questioned about the J. T. Berry Center grant funds and when they would be available. He is interested in knowing the prospects for funding small capital at the October Town Meeting. Mr. Harris believes it is important to restore funds to public safety after Free Cash is certified.
Mr. O’Leary was surprised to hear the School department backed-off a request for an Override to fund education. Mr. O’Leary would consider withdrawing the Override only if the Town can provide additional education funding. He suggests $200,000 be deducted from employee benefits by making adjustments to the health insurance plan. Mr. O’Leary additionally requests $67,000 be moved from the salary pool to the reserve fund. If changes were approved by unions the funds could be restored to the salary pool. Don Kelliher stated Mr. O’Leary’s proposal would stretch the definition of an unforeseen or unanticipated charge to the Reserve Fund Account. Mr. O’Leary is also interested in revisiting specific items on the Override list that totals $867,530. He
proposes the Override be $336,297 for Education and $223,820 to fund Sanitation. Mr. Veno thinks Mr. O’Leary’s proposal is unfair to Town employees. Mr. Dardeno’s feeling is the Town should be given a choice on all items removed on the Town-side of the budget. Mr. Harris does not support Mr. O’Leary’s proposal to reduce the employee benefits budget. Mr. Harris supports the Override include expenditures previously recommended by the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Mauceri supports Mr. O’Leary’s proposal by changing how the Town operated going forward. Mr. Mauceri states the Town will need to identify new revenues and systemic changes in the name of efficiency.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO DIRECT UP TO $336,297 COST SAVINGS IN CHANGES IN HEALTH INSURANCE NEGOTIATIONS SHALL BE EARMARKED FOR THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
MOTION BY: MR. O’LEARY
SECONDED BY: MR. MAUCERI
VOTED: 3-2 (MR. VENO AND MR. DARDENO - AGAINST)
Mr. O’Leary asked the Board preferences for deleting certain costs from the Override.
Mr. Mauceri proposed the amount for Recreation be shifted from expenses to DPW/Parks Salary. The Recreation Chairman explained his position on the distribution of funds within the Recreation Department.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RECONSIDER THE NEED FOR AN OVERRIDE QUESTION.
MOTION BY: MR. DARDENO
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
Mr. Dardeno spoke against a FY09 Override question on the May Ballot.
VOTED: 1-4 (MR. O’LEARY, MR. HARRIS, MR. MAUCERI, MR. VENO – AGAINST)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE THE OVERRIDE AMOUNT BE AS FOLLOWS: $262,497 SCHOOLS, $73,000 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, $223,820 TRASH FEES – FOR A TOTAL OF $560,117.
MOTION BY: MR. O’LEARY
SECONDED BY: MR. MAUCERI
VOTED: 2-3 (MR. HARRIS, MR. VENO, MR. DARDENO – AGAINST)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN PLACE THE FOLLOWING QUESTION ON THE MAY 6, 2008 TOWN ELECTION BALLOT:
“SHALL THE TOWN OF NORTH READING BE ALLOWED TO ASSESS
AN ADDITIONAL $867,530 IN REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES FOR THE PURPOSES OF FUNDING A PORTION OF THE FOLLOWING OPERATING BUDGETS: SCHOOLS ($312,497); POLICE ($50,575); FIRE ($61,940); SANITATION ($223,820); PUBLIC WORKS ($92,603); RECREATION ($45,495); ASSESSORS ($6,800); EMPLOYEE BENEFITS ($73,800), FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2008?”
MOTION BY: MR. VENO
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
#3. EXECUTIVE SESSION (8:40 P.M.)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR
THE PURPOSES OF LITIGATION STRATEGY AND FURTHER THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN WILL RETURN TO OPEN SESSION THEREAFTER FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF ADJOURNMENT.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: MR. VENO AYE
MR. DARDENO AYE
MR. HARRIS AYE
MR. O’LEARY AYE
MR. MAUCERI AYE
9:05 PM The Board returned to open session.
ADJOURN
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO ADJOURN.
MOTION BY: MR. VENO
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
__________________ _________________________________
DATE MR. MICHAEL HARRIS, CLERK
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