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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-03-23 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting March 23,2004 The meeting convened at 7:32 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Secretary Gail Wood, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Joseph Duffy,Town Engineer Joe Delaney, Police Chief Bob Silva, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Linda Phillips,Virginia Adams,Jean Pierce,John Lukens, Bill Graham,Joseph Bradley, Tom Keene, Theresa Murphy, Joan Neary, Christine Brungardt, Mr. Johnson, Heidi Bonnabeau, Lorrie Dowdy, Steven Cool. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Camille Anthony asked about the Livery License that was issued for the person who lives on Woburn Street. She indicated that the Boy Scouts who were at the meeting have mentioned that he is still parking in front of the building. The Town Manager noted that the license has not been picked up yet. He will check with Engineering and Zoning regarding the legality of the parking in front of the building. Selectman Joseph Duffy noted that he attended the St. Patrick's Day Dinner at the Senior Center and it went very well. Chairman George Hines noted that he received a phone call from a resident regarding the theft of two Humvees from Camp Curtis Guild. She was under the impression that Camp Curtis was guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and Chairman Hines indicated that better security is needed. He also noted that he attended a Recreation Committee Meeting, and there is a field crunch due to the High School football field being out of commission for two years. He indicated that the waiving of Sunday morning field use will be put on an upcoming agenda. Discussion/Action Items Hearing—Parking Regulations—No parking on Lowell Street, east side between Woburn Street and Salem Street except on Sundays—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that parking does take place on Sundays on the Common side of Lowell Street so to effectuate, the Selectmen need to allow it. He also noted that this will be temporary until the Downtown improvements are done. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if the Police Department was ticketing, and Police Chief Bob Silva indicated that they are not and there have been no complaints. Virginia Adams, a Historical Commission Member, noted that she had concerns about excessive signage, and cautioned the Board against putting up additional signage on the Common. A motion by Anthony seconded by Wood to close the hearing on no parking on Lowell street, east side between Woburn Street and Salem Street except on Sundays was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 23, 2004—Page 2 A motion by Duffy seconded by Wood to amend the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and - Regulations by adding Appendix A-9a as follows: APPENDIX A-9a Parking prohibited during certain hours on certain streets No parking except on Sundays, 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Lowell Street—On the easterly side between Salem Street and Woburn Street was approved by a vote of 3-1-0,with Hines opposed. Traffic Concerns — Possible Four-Way Stop Sign Walnut/Curtis Intersection — The Town Manager noted that staff is recommending a four way stop at this location. Curtis and Ash already have stop signs. Due to large trees and short sight distance, coming out of Curtis is difficult. He also noted that the other possibility is to put up mirrors but that is not the best solution. He noted that the property owner at the corner of Curtis has offered to work with the Town but it still won't solve the problem. Town Engineer Joe Delaney indicated that angle and grading of road is the problem. Jean Pierce of 283 South Street noted that this is a dangerous curve because you have to pull out all the way from Curtis to see. John Lukens of 148 Walnut Street noted that the visibility on Walnut Street is good but coming the other way is blind. He also noted that there has been one reported severe accident at this location and there is a lot of development in the area. Bill Graham of 119 Walnut Street noted that he is a postal worker and the traffic is quick on that street, and coming up Walnut is the most dangerous. Chief Silva noted that he recommends mirrors because coming out of Curtis, you have to pull out all the way. The Board directed the Town Manager to schedule a hearing for a four way stop. Speed Concerns — South Street between Main and Walnut — The Town Manager noted that he has received e-mails from residents regarding speeding on South Street to Walnut Street. Joe Delaney noted that a Traffic Counter was put out at 305 South Street and an average of 3000 vehicles per day travel that road. The 85th percentile travels over 30 mph. The Town Manager noted that there was a memo from Safety Officer.Tom Murphy who notes that 503 citations have been written over the past three years. Chairman George Hines asked how many of the citations included warnings. Chief Silva indicated that he didn't have an exact number but it is a significant amount. Chairman Hines indicated that this is unacceptable. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 23,2004—Page 3 Selectman Joe Duffy noted that South Street is being used as a cut-through. He also noted that there are regulations in Wakefield restricting hours but not being enforced. Chief Silva noted that Wakefield is not enforcing because it doesn't hold up in court. Joseph Bradley of 243 South Street noted that a lot of people get off at Exit 38 on Route 95 and take a left onto South and cut through that way. He suggests no left tam during certain hours. Joe Delaney indicated that could be a problem because it is the only access to Addison-Wesley. Tom Keene of 305 South Street noted that there is a lot of tracking on South Street and a high number of vehicles speeding. He asked if the speed limit could be reduced to 25 mph. The Town Manager noted that Mass Highway doesn't allow us to post 30 mph. Mass Highway would have to do a speed study and sometimes they recommend a speed higher than you want. Mr. Keene noted that there are at least 40 children living on the street, and he suggested a stop sign at Curtis and South. Theresa Murphy of 271 South Street indicated that she would like a stop sign at South and Curtis. She asked if the Town could put sidewalks in, and Chairman Hines indicated that there was no money. The Town Manager noted that the Town tried to put sidewalks in during the scenic road improvements and the residents didn't want them. A resident from 5 South Street asked if South Street could be one way with a sidewalk. The Town Manager noted that it was too long of a street to be one way. Joan Neary of 355 South Street noted that she is opposed to sidewalks. Christine Brungardt of 324 South Street noted that there has been a huge turnover in the neighborhood over the past 10 years. She asked how wide a sidewalk would be. The Town Manager noted 5' is the standard for sidewalks, ADA requires 36" unobstructed. Chairman Hines noted that a typical design also includes a tree lawn. Mr. Johnson of South Street noted that the wall the Town had constructed on his property is crumbling and there is also a telephone pole on his property. Heidi Bonnabeau of 336 South Street noted that the speed limit in not being enforced and if you drop the speed limit to 25 mph, it still won't be enforced. She also noted that there are a lot of trucks speeding all day. She noted that the police car sits at the wrong end of South Street, and the Speed Board helps tremendously. Louie Dowdy of 348 South Street noted that there has been a dramatic increase in traffic since Kohl's and Lowe's opened. The Town Manager indicated that he would have the Safety Officer do a speed study and send it into Mass Highway. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 23, 2004—Page 4 Possible One Way Traffic Pattern During School Hours at Parker Middle School/King Street— The Town Manager noted that there is an issue with pick up at the end of the day at Parker Middle School. The area is congested, people are blocking driveways, children run across the street and there is a fear of an accident. Steven Cool of 107 Prospect Street noted that he is very familiar with the traffic flow from Summer to King between 2:20 p.m. and 2:35 p.m. He also noted that cars park on both sides of the street,kids run out into the street, and there is deadlock when a car comes the other way. He proposes a Do Not Enter sign at King and Morgan Streets, and a right turn only at the end of the Parker Middle School driveway. Joe Delaney noted that access to Tannerville is needed, and he suggested restricting King Street. The Board directed the Town Manager to set up a hearing for a Do Not Enter sign on Hancock Street at Glen Street during certain hours. Linda Phillips suggested that the time restriction be for half an hour. Construction Improvements — Willow Street — The Town Manager noted that Willow Street is slotted for reconstruction and we hired a consultant to do the design work. Joe Delaney noted that at Lowell/Willow/Grove, the left turn is a problem in the morning. He reviewed different solutions to the problem, and feels that the best solution is an advanced green westbound one way on Lowell Street. Joe Delaney noted that there have been two fatal accidents on Willow Street because people are intentionally going fast. The vertical alignment at the railroad crossing is not adequate for 5 mph. The best design to go with is the 20 mph design, and he will work with homeowners regarding driveways. Linda Phillips of 42 Willow Street noted that she lives four houses from where the accidents 'happened. She was concerned about losing trees. The Town Manager noted that.we are not changing sidewalks,just adding curbing. Linda Phillips indicated that granite curbing would be a problem because people need to pull over and park. The Board directed the Town Engineer to go ahead with the plan as presented with granite curbing. Board of Selectmen Policy—Article 2, Volunteers and Article 3, Licenses—The Town Manager reviewed the proposed changes to Article 2. He noted that the Housing Partnership Committee has no members and has not met in years. A motion by Wood seconded by Dufft to delete the section on the Housing Partnership Committee was approved by a vote of 3-1-0. with Anthony opposed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 23, 2004—Page 5 Chairman George Hines suggested changing the name of the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council to the Reading Advisory Council Against Substance Abuse. The Town Manager indicated that he would check with staff. The Town Manager noted that the section on the Custodian of Soldiers' and Sailors' Graves has been moved to the Public Works section. Chairman George Hines directed the Town Manager to check with Town Counsel on whether Boards, Committees or Commissions members serving on an ad hoe committee need to be sworn in. A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to go into Executive Session for the purpose of strategy with respect to labor negotiations not to come back into Open Session was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the affirmative. Respectfully submitted, Secretary