1998-01-20 Board of Selectmen Minutes

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Board of Selectmen Meeting=-January 20, 1998 —Page 2 Virginia Ryan of 87 West Street/Countryside Road spoke about trucks being stuck at the intersection and trying to get out. Bill Garrick of 239 West Street spoke. Stewart Chipman of 94 Summer Avenue spoke about two problems — speed and trucks, and asked for more intensive enforcement. On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board of Selectmen approved the designation of West Street for "Heavy Commercial Vehicles Excluded," and directed the Town Manager to develop the necessary documentation to make an application to the Massachusetts Highway Department to effectuate this designation at the earliest possible date, including concurrence with the Town of Wilmington and City of Woburn. Once such designation is approved by the Massachusetts Highway Department, final approval by the Board of Selectmen will be required to amend the Traffic Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading, specifically Appendix A-18. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Retreat Follow-Up—The Board discussed follow up on the Retreat. Items discussed were use of letterhead, speaking for Town Meeting and other bodies as a member of the Board of Selectmen and other items. The Board went through the use of the decision-making process at the Retreat to determine what decisions the Board can make with regard to these matters. The Town Manager will develop a draft policy to incorporate the Board's directions. Budget Priorities and Schedule — The Board discussed the budget priorities and schedule. The Board determined the schedule within which it would review the budget requests. The Town Manager went through the new program requests with the Board of Selectmen to familiarize themselves with the requests. Update on Library Representation on Budget Council — The Board of Selectmen discussed the Library representation on the Budget Council. Ensminger felt that if the Library Board wants to come to the meetings, they can and they may participate. He pointed out, however, that the Board of Library Trustees does not have budget responsibility and therefore should not be a full partner —they should work through the Board of Selectmen. Camille Anthony agreed. George Hines noted that the Budget Council was designed as a "get to yes" process that can be cumbersome at times. If additional Boards, Committees and Commissions are made part of the Budget Council, then where would this process end? He felt that the Library has been well represented during the process. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to support the Board of Library Trustees becoming part of the Budget Council process with the Board of Trustee's directions being advisory to the Board of Selectmen within the Budget Council. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Hines opposed.