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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-02-03 Board of Selectmen Minutes _ Board of Selectmen Meeting i February 3,2004 The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street; Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Richard Schubert, Secretary Gail Wood, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Matthew Cummings, Police Chief Bob Silva,Acting Town Manager Beth Klepeis, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Paul Feely, Lois MacElhiney, Barbara Boucher, Charlotte Harlan, Gordon Rodgerson. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments— Selectman Gail Wood noted that she attended the Lt. Governor's roundtable discussion along with the Town Manager, two School Committee Members and two Finance Committee Members. Chairman George Hines noted that his son Chip has been deaconated into the Catholic Church and will be ordained on May 22nd. He thanked everyone for their support. He also noted that the Charter Review Committee is holding a local access call-in show on Thursday night. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that the Board received the annual customer service report from Comcast and this gives the Town an opportunity to file complaints. The Town, Schools and RCTV should respond to this. He also noted that there is a 40b in Wakefield next to Summit Terrace and the neighbors have put together a letter. The Town should have the opportunity to have input, and he asked that the Town Manager find out the process and get more information on the project. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that there is an issue of whether or not a Selectmen needs to be sworn in for Ad Hoc Committees. Chairman George Hines indicated that if they are serving by virtue of office, then don't need to be sworn in again, and this should be articulated in the Selectmen's Policies. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that this should be addressed in the Charter to cover all Boards, Committees and Commissions. Selectman Gail Wood noted that the RCTV has a straw document that they are submitting to the School Committee, Board of Selectmen, Reading Technology and Telecommunications Advisory Committee and RCTV for their comments. This needs to be put on a Selectmen's Agenda before March 4, 2004. Town Manager's Report The Acting Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ Acting Town Manager Beth Klepeis noted that she received an interesting phone call regarding the recent bond sale and its effect on the 2005 tax rate. She will.create.a chart and put it on the website. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 3, 2004—Page 2 Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Certificate of Recognition — William I Thomas, Boy Scout Troop 702 — A motion by Wood seconded by Cummings to approve the Certificate of Recognition for William J. Thomas was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Personnel and Appointments Solid Waste Advisory Committee—The Board interviewed Lois MacElhiney for one position on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Wood moved and Schubert seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2005: Lois R.MacElhingy. Ms.MacElhinev received five votes and was appointed. Discussion/Action Items Presentation—Reading Food Pantry—Food Pantry Volunteer Coordinators Barbara Boucher and Charlotte Harlan were present. . Ms. Boucher noted that the Elders Services Administrator Pamela Brown interviews clients and writes letter to the Food Pantry indicating the need for assistance. Ms. Boucher thanked the Town of Reading for being so supportive. Ms. Harlan noted that the Food Pantry has been under the auspice of the Reading Clergy Association since 1990. She indicated that there was a need for paper products and cleaning supplies because those items cannot be purchased with food stamps. Selectman Gail Wood suggested that the Selectmen might want to sponsor a food collection at Town Meeting, especially if there are certain items that are needed. Ms. Harlan indicated that they could supply a list of things that are needed most. Chairman George Hines suggested that they talk with the Town Clerk about having a drop off at the next Election. Hearin;—Parking Regulations on Charles Street from Main to Harrison—The Secretary read the hearing notice. Chairman George Hines noted that this is the result of concerns expressed regarding activity at Memorial park and parking problems. Beth Klepeis noted that the Town Manager recommends the same regulations as Harrison. Chairman George Hines noted that the Board received an e-mail from a resident who indicated that he does not feel it solves the problem and he has concerns that driveways will become a turn around. He is also concerned about blind spots at the corner of Harrison onto Charles. Selectman Gail Wood asked if there are regulations regarding parking on a corner, and Police Chief Silva noted that a vehicle cannot park within 20 feet of the corner. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 3. 2004—Page 3 Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked how effective the regulations have been on Harrison Street. Chief Silva noted that the Police have received three complaints over the past three years, Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that the residents on Harrison Street had indicated that the regulations work for them. Gordon Rodgerson of 34 Charles Street noted that he parks in front of his house and he doesn't want to get a ticket for parking in front of his own house. He also noted that the kids who play baseball are bitting foul balls into the street and the neighbors' yards. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked about having a special sticker for Charles Street residents who wanted to park in front of their houses. Chief Silva indicated that they have done that for other parts of Town. Selectman Gail Wood asked Mr. Rodgerson if he would prefer to not limit parking, and Mr. Rodgerson indicated that parking needs to be limited on some days for the Fire Department to be able to get through. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that this action would not be needed if the Town adhered to the Deed. He also noted that no parking on Lowell Street is posted but cars park there on Sundays. He feels that exception should be accepted if it's not going to be enforced. A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to close the hearing on parking regulations on Charles Street from Main to Harrison was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Wood moved and Anthony seconded to amend the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations by adding to Appendix A-5e the following: Charles Street on the north side from Main Street to Pearl Street. Schubert moved and Cummings seconded to amend the main motion by adding with exception for residents who live on Charles Street. The motion to amend failed by a vote of 1-4-0, with Hines, Wood, Anthony and Cummings opposed. The main motion was approved by a vote of 3-2-0. with Hines and Schubert opposed. Approval of Health Insurance Agreement — Beth Klepeis noted that the Health Insurance Advisory Committee meets and goes over the figures. The Unions negotiated a 70/30 split--the Town pays 70% and the employees pay 30%. Chairman George Hines noted that the Town has had a 70/30 split for a long period of time and some other Towns pay 90/10. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to approve the Health Insurance Agreement effective March 1,2004 through February 28,2005 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Discussion - Policy on Service of Liquor in Town Buildings — Chairman George Hines noted that this is a result of discussion last year from a group wanting to serve liquor at the Senior Center. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 3, 2004—Page 4 Selectman Camille Anthony indicated that she felt it was not appropriate to have alcohol in _ Town buildings. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that alcohol in Town buildings is contingent upon approval of the Board of Selectmen and there should be some mechanisms in place. Chairman George Hines noted that the Selectmen had not entertained any other requests since the 350th Anniversary, and the consensus of the Board was to keep the same procedure. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that the signs on Lowell Street say "no parking" but cars park there on Sundays and are not ticketed. He feels that if the regulation is not going to be enforced on Sundays, then the sign should say "no parking except Sundays." He requested that this be put on an agenda. The Board discussed the issue of Downtown parking regulations. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to put.Downtown parking on an agenda failed by a vote of 2-3-0 with Cummings,Hines and Wood opposed. Approval of Minutes A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to approve the minutes of January 13, 2004, as amended,was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to approve the minutes of January, 20 2004 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to adjourn the meeting of February 3, 2004 at 9:30 p.m.was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary J