MINUTES OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 2008
___________________________________________________________________________
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. Delaney, Mr. Harris, Mr. O ‘Leary and the Town Administrator Greg Balukonis. The Executive Session, which was scheduled at 6:00 p.m., was not held.
#1. SWEARING IN
Mr. Balukonis welcomed everyone this evening for the Swearing in Ceremony of Donald Cooke, a 30-year veteran of the Fire Department who was being promoted to the rank of Captain. Barbara Stats, the Town Clerk, swore Mr. Cooke in. There was a short recess for congratulations.
After the ceremony, Mr. O’Leary congratulated the Town Administrator for completing the cycle of appointments for the Town.
#2. RECYCLING COMMITTEE
Mr. Mauceri wanted to discuss a status report the Board of Selectmen had received a few weeks ago from the Recycling Committee.
Edward McGrath, Chairman of the Recycling Committee, addressed the meeting. He summarized the report, first noting the increases in recycling for FY08 as compared with FY07. Recycling of commingled materials increased 20.6% and paper was increased by 14.7%.
A comparison was also done with FY08 and FY05. In September of 2005, the Recycling Committee had initiated a “Lose Weight Campaign”, as a means to reverse the trend in trash and increase recycling. In 2005, the average household averaged 65 pounds of trash per week. As of today, the average amount of trash, per household has decreased to 54 pounds per week, which is a 20% decline. As of result, the Town of North Reading saved approximately $80,000 in tipping fees. Overall, from FY2005 to FY2008, recycling increased 63.4% in commingled materials and 41.2% in paper, and trash was decreased by 11.6%
The Recycling Committee continues to look for ways to expand the recycling program and provide education to the residents of North Reading. They have recently updated their recycling brochure, which was mailed out to all residents and is available on the Town’s website. They have also created a Yahoo Group called Recycle 01864. The aim of the Committee is to try to recruit interested residents to join the group, to help disseminate information and developments in the Recycling Program to their friends and neighbors. He also noted that the Committee has come up with a recycling sticker to be put on trash barrels instead of purchasing additional recycling bins. These are free and available at the DPW in Town Hall and all members of the Recycling Committee have them as well.
Mr. McGrath noted that one of the goals of the Committee is to increase the recycling of paper. Another big issue they will be working on with the DPW is the disposal of electronic waste. He stated that the School Department has been extremely cooperative and are doing a great job with recycling. In June, they recycled 9 tons of paper alone. Mr. McGrath then answered questions from the Board members. At the end of the discussion, the Board thanked Mr. McGrath.
#3. MINUTES
JUNE 3, 2008
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE JUNE 3, 2008 REGULAR MINUTES AS AMENDED.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
JULY 16, 2008
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE JULY 16, 2008 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES AS AMENDED.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
JULY 21, 2008
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE JULY 21, 2008 REGULAR MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
#4. CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Delaney and Mr. Veno gave their sheets to the Recording Secretary.
#5. PUBLIC COMMENT
None at this time.
#6. ACKNOWLEDGE DONATION
Mr. Balukonis discussed the memo he received from Chief Edward Nolan of the Police Department with regard to a donation to the North Reading Police Department’s School Resource Officers Program in the amount of $4,000 from the Chapman Foundation. The Chief recommends the Board approve and acknowledge this generous gift.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE A DONATION OF $4,000.00 FROM THE SCOTT E. CHAPMAN FOUNDATION, INC. ON BEHALF OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
There was a brief discussion with regard to the program.
#7. MISSION AND COMMUNITY VISION STATEMENTS
Mr. Mauceri noted that Mr. Balukonis presented the drafts of the Mission and Community Vision Statements to the Department Heads who have added some comments, but unfortunately they are not included in tonight’s slide presentation. They also felt some of the trends sounded more like threats. Mr. Mauceri then read the mission statement aloud.
Each item of the Mission Statement was discussed with the Board members who offered comments and various suggestions to changing the wording of the statement. Mr. Mauceri made a number of changes to the statement, including additions, deletions and rewording of items.
The Vision Statement was then presented and, again, each item was discussed. The Board members gave their suggestions and comments with regard to changing the wording of the statement. Mr. Mauceri again made a number of changes, including additions, deletions and rewording of items.
Mr. Mauceri asked the Board if another session should be held after October Town Meeting. Mr. O’Leary feels that hiring a facilitator would be very helpful. Mr. Delaney agrees that hiring a third party would be very worthwhile. Mr. Veno questioned what exactly the facilitator could accomplish that the Board members couldn’t do themselves. Mr. Mauceri feels that hiring an outside facilitator allows the Chairman to participate in the discussion. Mr. Harris notes the facilitator would establish a calendar.
The consensus of the Board is that although they are all very capable, they can sometimes get preoccupied and waiver off course. The facilitator will help keep the Board focused on the issues, guide them through the process and help pull everything together. Mr. Veno still feels it is unnecessary to spend the money on an outside facilitator. However, the other Board members feel it is money well spent and it is not a lot of money.
#8. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
- The first item discussed was the completion of the Town Hall roof, which was completed on time and under budget. The cost of each item was noted on his report. He is also reviewing an extended five-year warranty on the roof at a cost of about $1,500. He feels this would be money well spent. Mr. Mauceri asked if the remaining monies could be used to replace some of the windows.
- The Town Administrator expects to make a presentation to the Board on September 2nd, outlining the proposed FY2009 Capital Improvement Plan for the October Town Meeting. The guidelines for the CIP have been released to the department heads. He also notes that warrant articles for October Town Meeting are due no later than August 18th.
- Mr. Balukonis provided the Board with a draft of a policy on the Solicitation and Acceptance of Donations. After receiving feedback from the Board members, Mr. Balukonis states he will redraft the policy. The members feel it is an excellent draft.
- Responses from Town boards and committees, as well as letters of interest from five individuals are currently being compiled for the annual review of Town-owned land. Once all the information has been packaged up, notice to the interested residents will be sent, inviting them to come in and discuss with the Board the parcels they are interested in purchasing. Mr. O’Leary questioned a parcel of land located on Central Street. This was discussed, as well as options and uses for the Town-owned land. The municipal review is tentatively scheduled for August 18th. Mr. Delaney stated that the Financial Advisory Committee is looking into obtaining a survey of all the Town-owned land and will then give their recommendations.
- The Board members reviewed the 3rd quarter report provided by the DPW Director on activity of the Berry Center. As requested by the Board, Mr. Balukonis gave a status report noting 7 out of the 10 residential apartment buildings were complete and 196 out of 240 units were presently occupied. An additional 166 units are still under construction. Mr. Mauceri asked for information regarding how many units were one bedroom and how many were two-bedrooms.
- A client letter from Town Counsel was discussed with regard to new “Excavation and Trench Safety Regulations” that must be enforced by the Town beginning 01/01/2009. This is a state law that applies to all cities and towns. Mr. Balukonis explained the law to the Board, also noting Town Counsel’s recommendation. There were some unanswered questions from the Board that will be looked into.
- Mr. Balukonis provided the Board with a summary of additional monies needed in the FY2009 budget for gasoline, electricity and natural gas, totalling $155,075, for both the Town and schools. The Finance Committee has agreed to support the funding of a Fuel/Utility Reserve Account in the amount of $150,000 to be voted on at October Town Meeting. The monies will come out of free cash and is considered a high priority issue.
- Mr. Balukonis announced that Faye Ingraham has been appointed as the Town’s new Assessing Manager. She is MAA certified and has considerable experience. There will be some savings to the Town as well, as she will only be working 20 hours per week, which is a reduction from the 35 hours per week that was budgeted for this position. Mr. Veno was concerned that she may need additional hours to do the job.
- Meeting dates were discussed. The meetings will be held on Tuesday, September 2nd and September 15th with an additional meeting on September 29th if necessary.
Mr. Balukonis reviewed the following items for informational purposes only:
- Website has been updated.
- Applied for a grant to install a main water collection and irrigation system at Town Hall.
- CPC Planners submitted a grant renovation of Kid’s Spot.
- The last item discussed was a status update on police disciplinary hearings. Last week, a hearing was held at Town Hall to discuss possible disciplinary action involving a member of the Police Department on serious allegations of misconduct. As a result of the hearing, Mr. Balukonis is required to issue a decision within the timeframe prescribed by applicable civil service law. In a related matter, Mr. Balukonis acknowledged the resignation of another police officer, John Morrison.
#9. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Harris congratulates Donald Cooke on his promotion. He stated that the Environmental Bond Bill is moving forward and there may be monies available to fix up the Center of Town.
Mr. O’Leary echoes congratulations to Captain Cooke. He also extended his condolences to the family of Allen Caproni, the previous Town Assessing Manager. He noted concerns over the lack of progress in making improvements to the Mt. Vernon Street and Haverhill Street intersection by Bruce Wheeler. Mr. O’Leary explained that the developer is well behind in completing these improvements and constructing a sidewalk on Mt. Vernon Street. Mr. O’Leary asked the Town Administrator to check on when the developer expects to complete all required public improvements and, if necessary, the Town should withhold occupancy permits for the remaining units.
Mr. Delaney passed on his congratulations to Donald Cooke on his promotion to Captain in the Fire Department.
Mr. Veno also congratulates Captain Cooke. He also extends his condolences to Allen Caproni’s family, noting he was an outstanding gentleman and will be greatly missed.
In an effort to help open up the lines of communication with Town employees, Mr. Veno forwarded a copy of the Reading notes to the Board members and asked Mr. Balukonis if he thought emailing employees weekly with regard to Department Head meetings and Town updates would be a more personal way to provide them with information. Mr. Balukonis suggested the possibility of bi-weekly, although Department Head meetings are only held once a month. He also noted that the Department Heads would have to be responsible for providing this information to all employees. Mr. Mauceri liked the idea, especially as this would be a good way to improve communication with all employees. Mr. Veno feels it’s a better way of keeping employees informed. Mr. Delaney feels it would be worthwhile to look into.
Mr. Mauceri congratulates Captain Cooke, noting it’s been a long time coming, as he has been with the Fire Department for 30 years.
Lastly, Mr. Mauceri noted that he had been doing some number crunching and working with Mr. Balukonis on the FY2010 budget. At the last Finance Team Meeting, the Revenue Plan and Expenses were reviewed, which noted a 3% increase in the general government budget and a School Department budget of 6%. The numbers were reviewed and recalculated, showing the Town was short by approximately $2 million. In looking at the numbers one more time and, after cutting a few items, the budget shortfall is now about $1.7 million. Mr. Mauceri then reviewed issues that he felt needed to be addressed with the Board at this time.
#10. EXECUTIVE SESSION (9:29 PM)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR
THE PURPOSES OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING 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. MAUCERI: AYE MR. O’LEARY: AYE
MR. DELANEY: AYE MR. VENO: AYE
MR. HARRIS: AYE
After the motion, there was a five minute recess before entering into Executive Session.
10:10 PM – The Board returned to open session.
ADJOURN (10:10 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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