1986-07-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Pon r r + IJ -E r i SELECTMEN'S GOAL SETTING MEETING Downtown Harvard Faculty Club July 2, 1986 Present: Selectmen John Eddison, Paul Marshall, William Dailey, Jacquelyn Smith, Leo McSweeney and Town Manager Robert Hutchinson Chairman Eddison called the meeting to order at 10 :20 A.M. pointing out that Selectman Dailey will be with us shortly. I. BOARD RELATIONSHIPS Board relationships with Town Agencies - Board members felt that the Selectmen should continue to give a sense of direction through their goal setting process about their concerns to Town agencies appointed and elected so that we are not in a reactive mode to policy issues. Chairman Eddison referenced relationship with elected boards and the need to foster cooperation with boards like the Planning Board and School Committee who are also independently elected. Selectman Smith pointed out that the Planning Board was preparing a long -range plan and that the work has been generally good while perhaps somewhat voluminous and overly detailed, e.g., the housing component. She raised concern-that the economic development. component of the comprehensive plan should be underway. Specific concern about issues such as the recent developments at Bedford and Worthen Roads relating to massive buildings and traffic argue for a review of zoning and economic development in order to minimize the impact of such developments. Chairman Eddison said that he and the Manager would meet with the Chairman of the Planning Board and the Planning Director to review priorities as well as schedule a meeting in the Fall for the Board of Selectmen with all board and agency chairmen to review concerns. Leo McSweeney said as a new Board member he was concerned that the Board be proactive rather than reactive, Paul Marshall pointed out that it may be appropriate in certain areas but can't be in all, e.g., the Planning Board does not have to necessarily reflect agreement with the Selectmen on what it proposes far .the Town. Board Relationships with the School Committee - Board members stressed that the spirit of cooperation should be emphasized recognizing that costs for Town /School operations must be contained if we were to maintain service levels within 2 1/2, The Manager continued to point out the disparity of sick leave buy -back as a benefit offered only to teachers that was a growing large financial burden to the Town as a whole and creating labor unrest with the union and non union employees throughout the Town who wanted a similar benefit. These specialized benefits should be reviewed for a contract change so that we can avoid this kind of confrontation. It was agreed that Jack Eddison, Paul Marshall and Bob Hutchinson would meet with Tony Clough and Geoff Pierson to address this and other issues.