MINUTES OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2008
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Chairman Mauceri called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in Room 14 at the Town Hall in the presence of members Mr. Veno, Mr. Harris, Mr. O ‘Leary and the Town Administrator Greg Balukonis. Mr. Dardeno is absent.
Mr. Mauceri first commented to the audience that everyone must be seated due to Fire Department regulations and anyone without a seat must wait outside of the room. Unfortunately, they were unable to hold the meeting in the gym, as there were already things scheduled in there this evening. He also stated that the Public Comment portion of the meeting should only be about an hour at the maximum and anyone wishing to speak must keep it limited to a few minutes.
#1. AFFORDABLE HOUSING OVERLAY DISTRICT WARRANT ARTICLE
As a representative from the CPC was unable to speak at this time, this part of the meeting was deferred until later.
#2. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Mr. Balukonis discussed the spring and fall capital improvement plans. Mr. Balukonis had met with the Town Department Heads to discuss their capital needs, and at this time he wished to discuss three items that had been brought to his attention that he is suggesting to the Board.
1. Water Department: Construction of an additional test well at the addressStreetCentral Street well site at a cost of $50,000.
2. Water Department: Upgrading the addressStreetCentral Street well monitoring station, which is the building and electronic equipment which exists on the site at a cost of $180,000.
3. Fire Department: Instituting computer technology in the ambulance, which is required. This would also make online access available, allowing them to download their billing information more efficiently than it is done now, as well as being able to access patient information. The cost of this package would be $20,000 and funded through the Ambulance Fund.
Mr. Balukonis noted that none of these items would need to be funded through free cash. A vote on the capital expenses was not taken at this time.
Mr. Dardeno arrived at 7:05 p.m.
#3. OPERATING BUDGET
The Board discussed the closing of the gap for a status quo budget.
Mr. Mauceri briefly repeated some of the presentation from the prior meeting, and then noted the changes made to it since then. He noted the original amount of the budget gap was $1,138,035, but was reduced by various cuts. Mr. Balukonis reduced the Town budget by $184,249 and the Board members basically approved these cuts, leaving an adjusted shortfall of $946,580. Mr. Mauceri went over a few of the cuts that were proposed. Since then, Mr. Balukonis had proposed cuts to the revenue stream amounting to roughly $800,000, but the Board decided to eliminate the vocational numbers out of that figure, leaving $708,975. This is the new amount as of tonight.
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MINUTES OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2008
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The Board also learned that the House and Senate have agreed to fund the lottery at last year’s number. This allowed the Town to increase the revenue projection by approximately $167,882.
He reiterated that although a formal vote by the Board has not been taken, they all basically agreed with all the proposed cuts.
After explaining some additional items, Mr. Mauceri noted they had closed the status quo budget gap, with a surplus of $23,699. However, this money may be used to put back a half-time employee IT position to successfully complete the integration of the Munis Accounting System.
Before continuing on, Mr. Mauceri asked if there was a consensus of the Board, so if not, they could discuss these items before moving on. Mr. Veno noted he was not in agreement with one of the items and Mr. O’Leary had some concerns with two of the items. Mr. Dardeno also had one concern as well. There was a 4 to 1 consensus, but they will hold the vote on the status quo budget gap until later, after further discussions.
Mr. Mauceri stated that the Board could not fund the School Department budget needs. As it stands, it has been a struggle just to be able to close the budget gap. At the last meeting, he had presented $500,000 in cuts, which could be used to put into the school budget if an override failed, but the Board was not in agreement with those cuts. It was decided to have Mr. Balukonis go back over the figures in the Town budget to see if he could find additional cuts. Mr. Mauceri then discussed what ideas he had come up with and what decisions were made by the Board, including laying off Town employees and the employees’ health insurance plan.
Mr. Mauceri then asked if the Board members had any questions. Mr. Dardeno would like to hear from the School Department first as to what their priorities were if they were given additional monies, to which Mr. Mauceri responded that he needed to go over some additional cuts first before hearing from the School Department.
In conclusion, Mr. Mauceri stated that if the Board votes on everything presented tonight, they would come up with an additional $495,000. This amount comes close to the amount the School Department has requested.
At 7:30 p.m., Mr. Mauceri opened the discussion to the public. Mr. O’Leary would like to hear from the School Department first to find out what services they are looking to restore, what the costs are associated with these services, and in what order they would like them restored. He feels this would help the Board with their priorities.
A number of individuals spoke in favor of additional funding for the schools, efficiency in municipal departments, reduction in costs and staff.
Mr. David Troughton, the Superintendent of Schools, addressed the meeting, stating he would give an overview of School Department’s priorities for the FY2009 budget, and he wished to thank the Board for their support. Handouts had been passed out with his ideas and priorities in the form of a pyramid. He stated he had a commitment to placeNorth Reading to provide
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MINUTES OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2008
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quality education to all students. Some issues of concern to him were the decline in MCAS scores, the large classroom size and laying off of staff. To help answer any questions, with him tonight were Mr. Jon Bernard, the High School Principal and one of the elementary school principals, Mr. Sean Killeen. The recommended budget that the School Committee has approved is $870,000 above the status quo budget. He went on to talk about rebuilding the level of education and the services to placeNorth Reading schools.
He discussed the School Department’s priorities as follows:
1. The fundamental basic need is reading, starting at the 3rd grade level. 7.5 new teachers would be needed.
2. The need to support inclusion and special education, which means hiring additional teachers at the elementary level.
3. On the high school level, they need to cut down the classroom size by hiring additional core teachers.
After explaining each of the priorities, he recapped each item.
At 7:50 p.m., because of the overcrowding, Mr. Mauceri announced that the meeting will be moved to the gym, as it was now available. There was a 15 minute recess.
Questions from the audience were now addressed to Dr. Troughton. A number of individuals from the audience had questions with regard to various issues. Clarification of decreasing study halls, special education costs and removing the international cultures course were discussed. He clarified the courses the School Department felt were most important to students.
Mr. Mauceri introduced State Representative Brad Jones who was at the meeting to answer questions and discuss the Chapter 70 lottery increase. He also noted that the monies from the J.T. Berry project will help the School Department budget.
At 8:30 p.m., Mr. Mauceri reviewed his presentation again, discussing free cash, cuts in personnel and the Debt Stabilization Fund.
At 8:45 p.m., Mr. Mauceri went over the proposed cuts to the various Town Departments and the monies saved. He then opened the discussion to the department heads, noting audience members could ask questions during the presentations. Each department head expressed the needs and concerns of their departments. Following are the departments and department heads/other individuals who addressed the Board:
1. Recreation Department Rita Mullin
2. Library Helena Minton, StateLorraine Sheehan and Marci Bailey
3. Finance Department Joseph Tassone
4. CPC Office Warren Pearce
5. Town Clerk Barbara Stats
6. DPW and HR Mr. Balukonis spoke on behalf of Dave Hanlon
7. Police Department Chief Edward Nolan
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MINUTES OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2008
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After Chief Nolan gave his presentation, he answered a few questions from the audience.
Mr. Mauceri then noted that the proposed cuts in the varying departments are still being reviewed and these are not final as yet.
At 10:05 p.m., Mr. Mauceri announced that it was time for the Board to discuss and vote on the proposed cuts. Some of the Board members again raised their concerns with some of the items proposed. Mr. Mauceri’s first priority was to resolve the status quo budget, so a motion was made.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RECOMMEND THE AMOUNT OF $708,975 PROPOSED BY THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR BE USED TO CLOSE THE STATUS QUO BUDGET GAP.
MOTION BY: MR. DARDENO
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: (4-1)
Mr. Veno noted he could not support this motion at this time unless there was something in writing with regard to the elderly getting a break.
Mr. Mauceri then went over the figures again to close the budget gap and asked that a motion be made.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO USE THE $375,899 PROPOSED BY THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR TO CLOSE THE STATUS QUO BUDGET GAP.
MOTION BY: MR. DARDENO
SECONDED BY: MR. HARRIS
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
Mr. Mauceri and Mr. Balukonis discussed adjustments that could be made, override questions and the employee benefits budget.
Further questions and discussions followed.
A member of the Finance Committee voiced a number of concerns they had, particularity with items and monies not yet know. The Finance Committee did, however, vote 8 to 0 with regard to the additional school funding.
Mr. Mauceri brought back last week’s presentation, noting the suggestions to cut. He also stated that not knowing the health insurance outcome impacts their decisions.
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MINUTES OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2008
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Marci Bailey made suggestions with regards to increasing co-pay and emergency room costs of the employees’ health insurance. A discussion followed. Mr. Balukonis gave his opinion of the health insurance issue.
Mr. Mauceri wants to take a vote and a motion is put forth.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RECOMMEND OTHER SERVICE CUTS TO CONSIDER IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $274,000 AS FOLLOWS: RECREATION $50,000, LIBRARY 0, TREASURER’S OFFICE $25,000, CPC OFFICE $25,000, TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE $41,000, DPW $33,000, HR 0 AND POLICE DEPARTMENT $100,000.
MOTION BY: MR. O’LEARY
SECONDED BY: MR. MAUCERI
VOTE: NO VOTE WAS TAKEN
Mr. Dardeno disagrees with the motion, noting that all the recommended cuts end up affecting all the same people that they are trying to help. Mr. O’Leary wants to get the Board’s opinion, noting are they willing to make these cuts and hope for an override. He feels the Board needs to prioritize, hope for an override and let the public make the final decisions.
Mr. Mauceri has the Board members vote on each cut, one item at a time. After a lengthy discussion and various votes, the Board made a motion.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING REDUCTIONS
IN THE FY09 SELECTMEN BUDGET.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: 4-1 (MR. VENO AGAINST)
$25,000 Recreation Department
0 Library
$25,000 Treasurer’s Office
0 CPC
0 Town Clerk’s Office
$33,000 DPW
0 Human Resources
0 Police Department
Mr. Mauceri noted one last item to be discussed. From all of the items discussed to get to a status quo budget, a list was then made of items to go into the override question to cover general government. Each item was discussed.
Mr. Mauceri thanked the public for attending this evening’s meeting. He said anyone is welcome to stay for the last item of the evening, which was the Affordable Housing Overlay District Article.
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MINUTES OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2008
___________________________________________________________________________
At 11:43 p.m., there was a short break.
At 11:50 p.m., Warren Pearce discussed Article XXL – the Affordable Housing Overlay District Warrant Article, which was to have been discussed earlier in the evening.
This article is in regard to 23 parcels of land at 11 sites. This article gives the Town protection with regards to what land is used for affordable housing.
ADJOURN (12:18 PM)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO ADJOURN.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
__________________ _________________________________
DATE MR. MICHAEL HARRIS, CLERK
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