1996-04-30 Board of Selectmen Minutes

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i Board of Selectmen Meeting April 30, 1996 The meeting was convened at 7:35 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Sally Hoyt, Vice Chairman George Hines, Secretary Camille Anthony, (Bruce MacDonald entered the meeting at 7:40 p.m.). Also in attendance was Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Peter Simms, Marjory Wentworth, Kathy Greenfield, Virginia Adams, Soni Clarke Lee, Ruth Brophy, Paul Feely Jr., Tim Kelley, Jonathan Edwards, Don Cowan. Discussion/Action Items Meeting with Downtown Steering Committee - The Downtown Steering Committee made a presentation. Cathy Greenfield noted that the Steering Committee has assessed the situation through surveys;they have raised community awareness of the downtown; and they noted that the Board of Selectmen are the stewards of Reading's Downtown and especially its public areas. Brian Irwin from the Steering Committee and also the Chairman of CPDC noted that the Downtown Steering Committee has run through their mandate which is data gathering and support gathering. He noted that there is strong community support for making changes in Downtown. The Transportation Enhancement Grant has been applied for. There are strong possibilities for Downtown. The Committee asked what they should do now. Camille Anthony asked what the Downtown Steering Committee sees as their future role. George Hines noted that two residents in attendance - Tim Kelley and Paul Feely from the Chronicle should also participate. He noted that the success of the group is that it is a grass roots effort with some help from veteran government personnel and business people. He asked if they felt they have a charge or mandate to proceed. Brian Irwin noted that they need to have a comprehensive plan for Downtown. Development of a Master Plan is beyond the Downtown Steering Committees capabilities. They need to determine how quickly that work needs to be done. He noted that some short term decisions are being made. One,of the things that's needed immediately is drawings of physical improvements and design guidelines. Camille Anthony asked if we had interns to do this work. Brian Irwin noted that the cost of developing a full blown Master Plan would be $40,000 - $50,000 and can be done in three to four months. Harvard Design School has interns for 10 weeks in the summer at the cost of$5,000 and they may be able to work on the design guidelines. Peter Simms noted that the Downtown Steering Committee has talked with some consultants informally. He felt that MAPC may not have been as effective as possible in terms of the time that this process has taken to date. Jonathan Edwards noted that by the first of May we should know the first "cut" on the Transportation Enhancement Grant, and we should know for sure by the end of September whether we have the grant. He noted that a consultant can bring in other experience, and deal with issues of economics, marketing, and promotion. Camille Anthony noted that somebody from outside may be a help, because we don't always see what we need because we are too close to it. George Hines noted that perhaps a facilitator is needed in order to focus the group on the vision for the Downtown. He noted that this is an evolutionary process, but we would like to come together at a revolutionary pace. Peter Simms noted that communications is a big issue and a concern. Bruce MacDonald noted that perhaps