Town Manager Gets Three-Year Contract

Reading, MA — Tuesday’s Select Board covered a wide range of topics, including the signing of a new contract with the Town Manager, finalizing a traffic regulation change, hearing a proposal for a new rubbish/recycling program, and ending with a vote to enter into negotiations for a purchase of property.

Following the January 25th performance review of Town Manager Fidel Maltez, the Select Board voted unanimously to formalize a new three-year contract. Board Chair Dockser noted that there was a desire to bring his salary into line with equivalent towns. He acknowledged that last year Maltez was hired at a rate a little below average, given his level of managerial experience. All Select Board Members offered positive feedback on his first year in office. Because of the high praise from all members, the board felt it was important to increase his compensation to ensure that he would remain here for the foreseeable future. 

Safety Officer Michael Scouten recommended that the Select Board vote to remove the stop signs at the corner of Hopkins Street and Main Street and, at the same time, allow left turns from Hopkins onto Main. He said, with the installation of the new traffic lights at the corner, there is no longer a need for the restrictions. The board accepted the recommendations unanimously.

The most significant portion of the evening was spent discussing potential purchase of rubbish and recycling carts to be distributed to homeowners. The plan calls for each household to receive one 64-gallon cart each for rubbish and recycling. The carts are designed to be picked up robotically. The April Town Meeting would be asked to approve $900,000 for the purchase. 

Assistant DPW Director Christopher Cole presented the advantages and addressed anticipated questions. He said, “Carts would help mitigate rodents, rainfall issues, litter on windy days, and give better aesthetics to the town.” Cole further said that purchasing them now would lessen the financial impact on the town when the new collection contract is bid in 2026 and would prepare for future mandated automation.  Town Manager Maltez said that he has spoken to five hauling companies. All said that they would not take new customers without an automated system.

SB-Cart-Presentation2

During public comment, residents voiced concern over the weight and storage of the carts, as they are bigger, heavier, and more awkwardly shaped than what many people have today.  Select Board Members shared the concerns of residents – especially seniors and disabled citizens. Member Karen Herrick asked if there could be an accommodation for those who have invested in costly barrels. Jackie McCarthy asked if there is a sense of how much savings could be realized, to which Maltez responded that he felt that contracts with manual operations generally cost about $50,000 more than automated pick-up. Chris Haley called for a survey of residents on how they feel about overflow, and Mark Dockser said we need to take a long view to find ways of reducing the amount of trash. The Select Board still needs to take a position on the proposal, but an article is included in the Town Meeting warrant for April.

In other business, Town Clerk Laura Gemme updated the board on the upcoming election. State law mandates mail-in voting unless the town opts out. Early in-person voting is another matter. The town must opt-in. To date, the Board of Registrars has chosen to allow weekday early in-person voting, subject to Select Board approval. Gemme offered one Saturday option (March 25), but it comes at a staffing cost. The board will review and decide at the next meeting.

The board also is slated to close the April Town Meeting warrant on February 21. In anticipation, the town manager reviewed the 23 warrant articles.

Finally, the Select Board made a decision on accepting a response to an RFP for purchase of property. Two parcels were under consideration: one at 17 Harnden Street (the former Walgreens building) and the other at 25 Haven Street (the former Rite Aid building). Town Counsel informed the board that they could choose only one or neither. At 9:45, the board went into executive session to discuss the matter and came back into open session at 10:40 for further discussion and to take a vote. It was decided unanimously to choose the Harnden Street location and appointed board chair, Mark Dockser, to enter into negotiations with the owner. Chris Haley commented that he had financial concerns but trusts that Dockser will address them in negotiations.

The meeting adjourned at 10:44 pm.