1999-03-09 Board of Selectmen Minutes

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f Board of Selectmen Meeting March 9, 1999 The meeting convened at 7:05 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Bruce MacDonald, Vice Chairman Sally Hoyt, Matthew Nestor (arrived late), Selectmen Camille Anthony and George Hines, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Len Rucker, Phil Pacino, Bill Burditt, Bill Hughes, Marty Schmidt. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of sale of real estate to come back into Open Session at 8:30 p.m. On a roll call vote, all four members voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried. The Board resumed Open Session at 8:35 p.m. Discussion/Action Items Review Town Meetin- Warrant — Including RMLD — General Manager of the RMLD Len Rucker, RMLD Board Members Phil Pacino, Bill Burditt and Bill Hughes were present to discuss Article 10. Len Rucker noted that this Article is to authorize debt for the new substation in North Reading. The system is outgrowing the current substation on Causeway Road in Reading. The total cost will be $10.5 million. The RMLD has $5 million in cash and will be bonding $5.5 million. The RMLD will pay the cost of bonding. The new substation will add to the RMLD's net plant value thus increasing the flow of payments to the Town. Camille Anthony noted that she, Sally Hoyt, the Town Manager, Bill Burditt and Allan Ames met to determine the CPI. It was decided that the all Boston area of 2.6 will be used. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to recommend the subject matter of Article 10. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Marty Schmidt, a neighbor to Eric's Greenhouse, was present to discuss Article 19. He noted that this is a petition article to bring the Town regulations in parallel with the State regulations. State law permits municipalities to impose a five acre minimum for agricultural business. He noted that this is good for the community. Presently anyone could open a pig farm anywhere and once that happens, it's too late. Mr. Schmidt noted that the intent is not to put Eric's out of business but to restrict him from expanding. The regulation would not have an impact on Eric's old lot but would have an impact on the new lot. Sally Hoyt noted that there is a need in the community for Eric's business and that people enjoy shopping there. She doesn't want to create a hardship for Eric's. Marty Schmidt noted that the neighbors agree that Eric's provides a business but the integrity of the residential area is also important.