HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-03-09 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
March 9, 2004
The meeting convened at .732 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman Richard Schubert, Secretary Gail
Wood, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Joseph Duffy, Housing Authority Executive Director
Lyn Whyte, Finance Director Beth Klepeis, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena
and the following list of interested parties: George Katsoufis, John Coote, Don Allen, Karen
Flammia,Philip Logsdon.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Vice Chairman Richard Schubert thanked
everyone for his re-election and welcomed Joseph Duffy to the. Board of Selectmen. He noted
that he read to the children at Barrows School last week, and noted that the Library will be
having a human conveyor belt for their* 20th Anniversary Celebration on. Saturday. The Town
Manager and RCTV Executive Director are working to coordinate a meeting of the Board of
Selectmen and the RCTV Board. The Town Manager suggested March 25'.
Selectman Gail Wood noted that she read to the children at Barrows School last week.
Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the trees on Summer Avenue are dying, and all of the
trees in Town need to be looked at. The Town Manager noted that when the footprint program is
underway, then we will be planting new trees on Summer Avenue. Sele&tman Anthony also
noted that the Town needs a criteria sheet for bonds, and she reminded the Town Manager that
the Town Accountant is supposed to report back to the Board regarding centralized billing.
Town Manager's Report
The Town Manager gave the following report:
♦ Welcome to newly elected officials and thanks to all those who ran for office and.those who
voted. It's great to see democracy at work.
+ Thanks to Town Clerk Cheryl Johnson and all of the election workers and support staff. This
was a tough election with the combined Presidential Primary and Local Election, and with
write-in votes for a major elected board. There were some glitches but all went well.
* George Hines is the Board of Selectmen designee to a committee created to assist the School
Committee in naming the new elementary school.
* Pamela Brown, the Elder/Human Services Administrator, has resigned effective March 12th
to take the job as COA Director in Amesbury.
+ The 5th grades at Joshua Eaton and Birch Meadow Schools are having a "5th Grade Town
Meeting"on March 26th. -1 will be participating as will the Town Moderator Alan Foulds.
♦ Read Across America day last week was a big success, and a lot of fan for those of us who
had an opportunity to participate.
♦ This Saturday,the Reading Public Library will be holding a 20th Anniversary(on being in the
Middlesex Avenue site), and hoping to break a world record for the longest human conveyor
belt. Please come and participate--we need over 1000 people of all ages participating.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 9, 2004—Pan 2
* The Massachusetts Cultural Council Awards to the Reading Symphony Orchestra and Town
of Reading.
+ Two members of the Board will be meeting with School Department reps on the proposed
Business Manager position.
+ We are starting our efforts to inform violators of the Heavy Vehicle Exclusion restriction on
West Street. This will continue for the remainder of this week. On Monday, we will begin
enforcement with citations.
* Downtown Progress -- The "right of entry" forms are being prepared to be distributed to the
approximately 60 property owners in the Downtown area. I have had discussions with the
Light Department on how the street lighting in Downtown will be paid for and managed. I
have suggested to Senator Tisei's Office that this project be funded with additional moneys
in the upcoming Transportation Bond Bill.
+ Progress on Summit Village Drainage I am meeting with the CPDC on March 22nd with
Town Counsel regarding calling the performance bond for drainage improvements.
* Information on Water Conservation Program has been sent to all property owners.
+ The Lions Club is hosting Community Day on May 22nd, and they thought the Board of
Selectmen would like to have a table and be available to answer questions. The consensus of
the Board was to participate.
Personnel and Appointments
Route 128/1-93 Task Force — The Board interviewed George Katsoufis for one position on the
Route 128/1-93Task Force.
Wood moved and Anthony seconded to place the following'name into nominationfor one
position on the Ad Hoe Route 128/1-93 Task Force with a term Miring June 30, 2006:
George Katsoufis. Mr.Katsoufis received four votes and was appointed.
Council on Agin —The applicants were not present.
Discussion/Action Items
Reading Housing Authority re: 75 Pleasant Street — Housing Authority Executive Director Lyn
Whyte, and Housing Authority Member's John Coote, Don Allen and Karen.Flammia were
present.
Lyn Whyte noted that they just met with the Historical Commission to present a plan to save the
existing structure and add four units for the Housing Authority. She also noted that the
Historical Commission is willing to work with the Housing Authority. The house presently has
two, three bedroom units. When the renovations are done, they will have four, three bedroom
units.
John Coote noted that the parking has remained unchanged. The Development Review Team
wanted to extend the parking into the buffer zone but he didn't add that to the plan. If the
Selectmen want it he will but the Selectmen will have to defend themselves against the
neighborhood. He noted that the size of the units are the same but he has lowered the roof line.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 9.2004—Page 3
Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked if this new plan has been presented to the neighborhood.
Lyn Whyte indicated not yet but will before Town Meeting.
Lyn Whyte noted that the cost to renovate the existing house is incorporated into the overall
project. The Town Manager noted that the Board of Selectmen and Housing Authority will have
to agree to expend funds from the trust funds.
Selectman Gail Wood noted that she wants to hear the abutter's concerns before making a
decision. She feels that everyone should be in the room at the same time. She also noted that a
lot of the abutters are not happy campers and shouldn't be kept in the dark.
Lyn Whyte noted that the abutters were never left in the dark -- the Housing Authority had two
meetings with the abutters and will have another before Town Meeting. She also noted that
neighbors have called her and stopped by to look at the plans.
Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that there will be a formal application after Town
Meeting approves the land swap. There will be hearings with the abutters then. The issues of
parking, density and restoration of the house have been addressed.
The Town,Manager noted that the issue of plowing will have to be dealt with before Town
Meeting.
Don Allen noted that the Historical Commission supports this plan.
Hearing—Board of Selectmen Policy Article 1 — General Operating,Procedures—The Secretary
read the hearing notice.
The Town Manager reviewed Article 1 of the Board of Selectmen's Policies.
Selectman Camille Anthony noted that in Section 1.1.4 — Paragraph 4 the words "including
Unions"should be removed because the Unions are considered employees.
A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to close the hearing on the Board of Selectmen
Policy Article 1 —General Operating Procedures was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
A motion by Wood seconded by Du ft to approve the Board of Selectmen Policy Article 1-
General Operating Procedures, as amended,was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Request to Acquire Land— Francis Drive — Finance Director Beth Klepeis and Philip Logsdon
were present.
The Town Manager noted that this is a piece of property on Francis Drive that the Town owns,
but the Logsdon's driveway is on it. He suggests selling it to the Logsdon's for $130.00 plus
legal costs.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 9,2004—Page 4
Beth Klepeis noted that Ralph Cormier developed the property. There was an agreement that the
property would be incorporated once developed. Mr. Cormier didn't pay the taxes and the Town
foreclosed. Mr. Cormier recently passed away and his son found paperwork indicating that there
was a passbook so the Town split the amount remaining in the security deposit to pay towards
what was owed.
A motion by Anthony seconded bey to approve the sale of Plat 115, Lot 23E to the
owner of Plat 115,Lot 57 for the sum of$130.00,subject to the further conditions that:.
♦ The owner of Lot 57, at their sole cost and expense,will re-deed and do all
other things necessary to combine Lots 57 and 23E into a single parcel of
' land:
♦ The owner of Lot 57 shall pay any and all legal and other expenses of the
Town of Reading to implement this sale and combining of lots.
was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Review Course of Action—Human/Elder Services—The Town Manager noted that the Hospital
Trust funds Reading Response to provide transportation and homecare. Other agencies provide
the same services including the Town's Elder Services Division. The different agencies met
with staff and after that meeting, the Town Manager concluded that a consultant is needed to sort
everything out. He wants to make sure that everyone is being taken care of, and that Mystic
Valley Elder Services is giving us the same as everyone else. He also wants to make sure there
is no overlap, and noted that it is a problem for the consumer if they are dealing with more than
one agency.
Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked who specializes in this type of consulting, and the Town
Manager indicated that it is a public health consulting function.
The Town Manager noted that the Elder/Human Services Administrator Pamela Brown is
leaving and-he doesn't want to hire a replacement until the study is done. He is interviewing
people for an interim basis of six months.
The consensus of the Board was to move forward immediately. The Town Manager indicated
that he will hire an interim Administrator and develop an RFP for the consultant.
Town Manager Evaluation — Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she contacted the Town
Managers in Danvers, Sudbury, Concord and Acton regarding their process for setting goals and
evaluating the Town Manager. She received a copy of the evaluation form used in Concord.
Selectman Camille Anthony noted that an evaluation process and goal setting process needs to be
established. The Town Manager noted that in the past, the Selectmen would list all of the goals
and if they end up with 50 goals, then each Selectmen would have 10 votes for their priorities.
Approval of Minutes .
A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to approve the minutes of February 24, 200, as
amended,was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 9 2004—Page 5
A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to approve the Executive Session minutes of
February 10,2004 was approved by a vote of 3-0-1 with Duffy abstaining
A motion by Anthony seconded by Wood to adjourn the meeting of March 9, 2004 at 9.55
p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
ReIpectfully submitted,
,C
'7
Secretary
i
