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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-07-20 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting July 20,2004 For ease of archiving, the order that items appear in these Minutes reflects the order in which the items appeared on the Agenda for that meeting, and are not necessarily the order in which any item was taken up by the Board. The meeting convened at 7:35 p.m. in the Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Richard Schubert, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Gail Wood, Selectmen Joseph Duffy and George Hines, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Marianne Downing, Sandra Michaud, Bob Soli, Bill Webster, Jeffrey Everson, George Katsoufis, Daniel Driscoll, Bob Brown. Reports and Comments The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ The Town Manager noted that the posting for this meeting has the incorrect date of June 20th instead of July 20th but the agenda with the correct date was posted on the same Bulletin Board plus on Cable TV, the Town's website and emailed to the press and many other interested persons. ♦ The Town Manager noted that a resident called and indicated that a youngster found vials with a liquid inside at Imagination Station. Members of the Fire Department and HazMat responded. It seems that a day camp.collected bugs and insects in the vials and the liquid was soap and water. Summer Avenue is all set to design. 0 The Town Manager noted that he and the Town Clerk met with a representative from Pearson today, and the E Building is available and in very good condition to use for the Elections. He is proposing holding the next three elections there. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony asked if the Town would have to pay, and the Town Manager noted that it will cost $1 per Election. The Town Clerk will send out a letter to everyone with a map of the new voting location. It will also be included in YCC, cable, newspapers, etc. A motion x Anthony to utilize the Addison-Wesley/Longman building for the FY 2005 Elections was not seconded. After discussion regarding traffic issues and possibly using this location as a second site, the Board decided to put this on their next agenda for a decision. s The Town Manager noted that Summerfest is July 29-31,2004. s There is a vacancy on the Audit Committee. e The Municipal Light Board is meeting tomorrow night, and they will be considering adopting a cost of service study to establish a school rate. ♦ The DNC begins on Sunday and will be done by Friday. The Fire Department will put on additional personnel to staff the second ambulance for at least Monday. The Police will increase staffing and will have the motorcycle patrol active. The Town Manager noted that some of the Town's employees are part of the tactical Police and NEMLEC. Accident response to Route 128/93 will be by local towns, not the State Police. DPW will also have additional staff ready. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 20, 2004—Page 2 Selectman George Hines noted that this past Spring, there was a situation between Quarterbacks and the landlord. The situation got resolved and he offered congratulations to the owner and landlord. He also noted that the newspaper reported that it was a battle with the Town agencies, and Selectman Hines noted that was not the case--the issue was between two private businesses. Personnel and Appointments Recoanition of Long; Servinia Volunteers — Daniel Driscoll, Bob Brown and Sandra Michaud were present. A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to approve the Certificate of Appreciation for Michael P. Flammia for serving Eight years on the CPDC was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to approve the Certificate of Appreciation for Clayton Jones for serving Seven years on the Historical Commission was approved by vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to approve the Certificate of Appreciation for Sandra J. Michaud for serving 10 years on the Advisory Council Against the Misuse and Abuse of Alcohol,Tobacco and Other Drugs was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to approve the Certificate of Appreciation for Dale Marie Merrill for serving Seven years on the Advisory Council Against the Misuse and Abuse of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to approve the Certificate of Appreciation for Claire Bolger for serving Eight years on the Recreation Committee was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to approve the Certificate of Appreciation Daniel F. Driscoll, Jr. for serving 18 years on the Board of Cemetery Trustees was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to approve the Certificate of Appreciation for Stephen Meehan for serving Five years on the Board of Cemetery Trustees was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to approve the Certificate of Appreciation for Robert A. Brown for serving 12 years on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to approve the Certificate of Appreciation for G. Gay Williams for serving Seven years on the Council on Aging was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—Ju1�20,2004—Page 3 A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to approve the Certificate of Appreciation for Daniel F. Driscoll,Jr. for serving 17 years on the Board of Registrars was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to approve the Certificate of Appreciation for Donald C. Allen for serving 11 years on the Reading Housing Authorily was approved b a vote of 5-0-0. Board of CemetM Trustees—The applicant was not present. Discussion/Action Items Discussion of 128/93 Advisory Committee—Present were George Katsoufis, member of the Ad Hoc Committee and the Mass Highway Task Force; Jeff Everson, a member of PRESERVE and the Ad Hoc Committee; Bob Soli, a member of PRESERVE and Marianne Downing, a member of PRESERVE. Chairman Richard Schubert noted that the purpose of tonight's meeting is to discuss the committee and goals. Chairman Schubert handed out a Scope of Work Outline and noted the following tasks: Task 1 —Study Area, Goals and Objectives, Evaluation Criteria and Public Participation Task 2—Existing and Future Conditions, Issues Evaluation and Constraints Identification Task 3 —Alternatives Development Task 4—Alternatives Analysis Task 5—Recommendations Task 6—Final Report George Katsoufis noted that he has been involved since the Ad Hoc Committee was first established. He is waiting to see the methodology of Task 2 and the monitoring of Task 2 will clear up who's who. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the Selectmen need to respond to the Town's concerns and start documenting it. Selectman George Hines noted that he and Richard Schubert have carried their position to the Task Force. He recommends disbanding the Ad Hoc Committee and have the Selectmen serve as the primary board because of the importance of the issues, and feels that the Selectmen have to be directly involved. He also noted that the previous efforts by Mass Highway was just an engineering study, but now they have stepped back and formed a Study Committee to deal with the basic issues. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony asked what the basic issues are that need to be addressed. Jeff Everson noted that a policy is needed. Selectman Joseph Duffy indicated that he feels not a single home should be taken and that there should be a fly-over in Woburn. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 20, 2004—Page 4 Selectman George Hines noted that the goal is no takings but if takings do occur, it has to be fair compensation. He also noted that alternative transportation needs to be dealt with and since Mass Highway is the lead agency,they won't be voicing those options. The Selectmen need to do that through MAPC, etc. Jeff Everson noted that the "Statement of Work" eludes to alternative transportation but it is marginal. .Bob Soli noted that he lives next to the Interchange and he would like something done to get a handle on noise control. He asked if there were any regulations regarding noise. Selectman George Hines noted that there are regulations but it's an enforcement issue. He has noise on his street too. He also noted that we can't try to design sound barriers before something is built. There was discussion about the content of the Town's position and noted the following: Zero eminent domain takings, noise, local traffic must be improved from existing condition and maximize the use of alternative transportation. Marianne Downing noted that Stoneham is concerned about noise, Reading is concerned about the neighborhoods, and Woburn is concerned about access to businesses, yet nobody uses the new ramp. She also noted that the Reading residents she has spoken with don't want their neighborhoods changed--they are concerned about saving the character of the community. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that there will also be an effect on emergency vehicle response time. Selectman George Hines noted that the Anderson Transportation Center needs to be marketed better. George Katsoufis noted that enhancing the interstate system will be beneficial and it could have a positive impact on Reading. Jeff Everson noted that 70% of rear end accidents happen when the lead vehicle is standing and preventing stop and go will prevent accidents and congestion. He noted that there is a'need to establish if the congestion is due to the interchange or the connecting links. George Katsoufis noted that the North Suburban Planning Council is concerned about congestion and mobility in the Boston Region, and he suggested having a consultant look at that in Task 2. Marianne Downing noted that the impact on the housing stock and available buildable land were concerns. Selectman Gail Wood noted that the breakdown lanes could be used in peak hours. Selectman George Hines noted that the Ad Hoe Committee has served its purpose and has expired. He suggested having this as a Selectmen's Liaison Assignment and make it a regular agenda item. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 20, 2004—Page 5 The Town Manager noted that the Town is applying for a Planning Grant through DHCD for $30,000 and requested that the Chairman of the Selectmen sign a letter of support. A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to adjourn the meeting of July 20,2004 at 10:00 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary Route 128/193 Interchange Project Concerns ' Content + Noise + Eminent Domain— Goal is 0 takings + Local traffic must be improved from existing conditions o Alternate transportation must be maximized + Maintain the integrity/character of the community and neighborhoods + Maintain property values + Minimize visual impact + Impact on public safety + Impact on affordable housing Impact on economic development o Fully utilize what is there Process o Eminent domain— fair and expedited as last resort + Staff/consultant as needed + State expectations clearly in.Task 2E + Identify safety improvements and effect on mobility and emissions o Effect of improved enforcement + Relate alternatives to results + How other plans relate to interchange o Integrity/Acceptance of data + Continue data collection and evaluation through MEPA process + Justify alternatives