1999-04-13 Board of Selectmen Minutes

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- Board of Selectmen Meeting April 13, 1999 The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. at the Senior Center, 49 Pleasant Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairnlan Bruce MacDonald, Vice Chairman Sally Hoyt, Secretary Matthew Nestor, Selectmen Camille Anthony and George Hines, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Attorney Steven Singer, Joseph T. Conneamey, Alice Langone, Michael Langone, Brian Morse, Steven Cacciola, Paul Forsythe. On motion by Nestor seconded by Hines, the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of litigation and approval of minutes, to come back into Open Session at approximately 8:30 p.m. On a roll call vote, all five members voted in the affirmative. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 8:40 p.m. Discussion/Action Items Decision — George Street Comprehensive Permit — Chairman Bruce MacDonald noted that this was a follow up meeting regarding the proposal of development of 17 townhouses off of George Street. Additional written information has been received and oral information will not be taken. Additional information was received from Attorney Brad Latham reiterating the concerns of the residents. Their primary concern is safety along with inadequate vehicle and emergency access, Lack of adequate useable frontage, lack of sidewalks, traffic impacts and issues of water pressure. The Town Manager noted that he had received a memo from Fire Chief Don Wood indicating that a 20 foot access is needed for emergency vehicles. He also received a memo from DPW Director Edward McIntire indicating that there is no problem with the sewer main on George Street or on Curtis Street. Additional written information was received from Attorney Cicatelli who represents L.A.B. Realty Trust. The plan was modified from 17 units to 12 units and moves the units away from the highway about 20 feet; the parking has been reduced; the refuse disposal will be put in a separate building. Regarding noise — not all of the trees will be taken out and the ledge will be left in. A letter from Dermot J. Kelly, PE was submitted stating that there is adequate access for emergency vehicles. The Town Manager noted that the easement is not an easement but is the public right of way. When George Street was constructed in 1947, it was expanded by a notch to provide access to Lot 2. Lot 3 was created into a triangle of land that is privately owned, not part of the public right of way. This leaves an access of 15.5 feet, not the 20 feet that is needed as recommended by the Fire Chief.