HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-04-29 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
April 29, 2003
The meeting convened at 7:32 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Camille Anthony, Selectmen Gail Wood
and George Hines, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of
interested parties: Jeffrey Everson, Bill Webster, Brian Mahoney, Nabil El Koury, Shahin
Shahin.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman George Hines indicated that Vice
Chairman Matthew Cummings did an outstanding job on the RMLD Article last night at Town
Meeting. He attended a regional meeting in Melrose regarding budget issues with Chairman
Camille Anthony and Pete Dahl. He urged residents to call the legislators asking for a better
return to the Town than what the Governor's budget offers. He attended a meeting of the Route
128/I-93 Advisory Committee, and the deadline for comments on the Scope of Services RFP is
May 2, 2003. He attended the site walk on Fairchild Drive, and also attended the joint meeting
of Selectmen from the RMLD communities.
Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the Finance Committee Appointment Committee
appointed Paul Bolger to the Finance Committee. She thanked the Grimes family for their
participation at Town Meeting because they just had a baby.
Public Comment—There was no public comment.
Town Manager's Report
The Town Manager gave the following report:
♦ Proposition 2%2 override takes effect July 1, 2003. We will be adding the effect onto the
estimated bills (first %2 of the FY).
♦ Street sweeping is underway. We are operating with a very old sweeper and it will take time
to get to the entire Town.
♦ There will be a mercury thermometer swap (trade in an old mercury thermometer for a new
digital thermometer) at the Health Division Offices in May. Watch local media for more
information.
♦ Compost Center Hours
➢ Starting Friday, April 4th
➢ April/May—
Li Friday and Monday (8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.);
❑ Saturday(8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., closed April 21"and May 26th holidays.
➢ June—
❑ 1St and 3rd Saturdays only.
➢ Info on website, Chronicle, Advocate, Cable TV Channels 9, 10 and/or 22, DPW at
781-942-9092 or 9076. There will also be a flyer and calendar in the June 10th
water/sewer bills.
Board of Selectman Meeting —April 29, 2003 —Page 2
Household Hazardous Waste Collection
➢ May 17`h
➢ DPW Facility— 75 New Crossing Road
➢ 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
♦ Reading's Board of Selectmen has asked for a joint meeting with other Boards from
the three communities served by the RMLD. It is scheduled for April 10th but North
Reading's Town Meeting is scheduled for that evening.
Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation
Proclamation — Arbor Day — A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to approve the
Proclamation declaring May2, 2003 as Arbor Day in the Town of Reading was approved
by a vote of 3-0-0.
Discussion/Action Items
Hearin — Scope of Services Route 128/1-93 Consultant - Selectman George Hines read the
hearing notice. He noted that PRESERVE member Jeff Everson and THAG member Bill
Webster were present. The Town Manager noted that the hearing notice was sent to PRESERVE
and THAG and the Route 128/193 Advisory Committee.
Selectman George Hines noted that he spoke to Bob Frey at Mass Highway. They are
advertising the contract to. have firms understand the scope of the project. Once the firm is
identified, they will negotiate the scope and fee. There will be other opportunities for public
input. Selectman George Hines will send a letter to Mass Highway with suggested comments.
The deadline has been extended to May 2nd. Mass Highway will schedule a Task Force meeting
after that.
Jeff Everson noted that PRESERVE's position is that the RFP states nothing about the Task
Force voting rights. There should be a statement regarding minimizing eminent domain. He
noted that the project has been alive at least six years and there should be something in it about
the rate of progress. He also noted that there is a need for accurate, comprehensive data. The
Registry of Motor Vehicles information is not specific and pretty much useless. The Highway
Safety Administration is a good resource for data.
Selectman Gail Wood noted that the problems need to be identified because not all problems are
solved the same way.
Bill Webster noted that THAG wants a promise of no takings of residential property. Any
takings need to be justified and delineated. THAG also feels that the final recommendation
needs to clearly show any benefits and gains.
Selectman George Hines indicated that he would draft an e-mail to the Selectmen for their
comments and then send it to Mass Highway.
Hearing — Street Acceptances — Selectman George Hines read the hearing notice. The Town
Manager noted that the street acceptances going back to 1992 were never perfected by our
former Town Counsel.
Board of Selectman Meeting—April 29 2003 —Page 3
A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to close the hearing on the street acceptances was
approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to reaffirm the vote of the Board of Selectmen of
March 31, 1992 for the acceptance of the following streets to be laid out as public waw
Davis Lane and Emerald Drive was approved by a vote_of 3-0-0.
A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to reaffirm the vote of the Board of Selectmen of
March 30, 1993 for the acceptance of the following streets to be laid out as public ways:
Lilah Lane, Verde Circle, Sanborn Lane, Thomas Drive, Fairchild Drive Partridge Road
Duck Road, Old Farm Road, Haystack Road, Gateway Circle, Milepost Circle, Riverside
Drive, Chapel Hill Drive, Terrace Park, Fairview Avenue, Lindsay_ Lane, Ashley Place,
Jessica Circle and Stonewell Road was approved by a vote of 3-0-0
A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to reaffirm the vote of the Board of Selectmen of
April 5, 1994 for the acceptance of the following streets to be laid out as public ways: Rice
Road, Estate Lane, Pond Meadow Drive and Kurchian Lane was approved by a vote of
3-0-0.
A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to reaffirm the vote of the Board of Selectmen of
April 4, 1995 for the acceptance of the following streets to be laid out as public waw
Symonds Way was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Hearing — Parking Regulation on Ash Street south of Haven Street — Selectman George Hines
read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that we've been enforcing one hour parking
on the portion of Ash Street across from Pizza World but there are no regulations on the books
for it. He recommends one hour parking from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to close the hearing on parking regulations on Ash
Street south of Haven Street was approved by a vote of 3-0-0
A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to amend the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and
Regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen on March 28, 1995 by adding to Article 5,
Section 5.4: One hour parking on Ash Street (east side), angle parking spaces from Haven
Street to rear driveway of 550 Main Street (nine spaces) from 8.00 a m to 7:00 p.m. was
approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Hearing—Fines Reading Police Department—Selectman Gail Wood read the hearing notice. The
Town Manager noted that the Selectmen had discussed looking at additional revenues. Chief of
Police Robert Silva did a parking survey and reviewed the results of the survey. Chief Silva
indicated that he recommends increasing the basic parking tickets: Group A to $20.00, Group B -
the hydrant and fire lane fines to $50.00, and increase Group C - the handicap parking to
$100.00.
......._...
Board of Selectman Meeting=April 29, 2003 —Page 4
A motion by Hines seconded by Wood to approve the Group A increase to $20.00, Group B
increase to$50.00, and Group C to $100.00 as presented in the Table dated 4/29/03 was
approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Class 2 Motor Vehicle License — 1337 Main Street — The Town Manager noted that the lessee
has requested a Class 2 Motor Vehicle License. He also noted that he had a hard time getting the
property cleaned up and the representation to the Board previously was just for gasoline, no other
use and he is asking the Board for direction on this matter.
The lessee,Nabil El Koury, was present. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the drawing that
he submitted has a lot of cars but not much space. She asked how many he wants to sell, and Mr.
El Koury noted that he is asking for five.
Selectman Gail Wood asked if the property owner was applying for the license, and Mr. El
Koury indicated that he was not.
Selectman George Hines indicated that he had no problem with five cars set back. He asked Mr.
El Koury if he would be specializing in certain vehicles, and Mr. El Koury indicated that they
would be upscale cars. He also noted that Grasshopper is coming on May 5, 2003 to do the
landscaping.
Class 2 Motor Vehicle License — 1462 Main Street — Shahin Shahin, the owner of 1462 Main
Street, was present.
The Town Manager noted that he has received letters from abutters regarding the operation of
the business. He indicated that the property is not commercially zoned and the Selectmen don't
issue Class 2 Motor Vehicle Licenses in noncommercial zones. The property owner would have
to get a variance from the Board of Appeals.
Chairman Camille Anthony asked if the tanks have been checked by the Fire Department, and
Mr. Shahin indicated that they have.
Selectman George Hines noted that there have been gas deliveries before 6:00 a.m. and he isn't
suppose to open before 6:00 a.m. He also noted that if he got a variance, he would have to pave
the area.
Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the traffic has been backing up onto Main Street on
Thursdays when the gas is on sale.
Selectman Gail Wood noted that she had concerns because this is in the aquifer protection area.
The Board directed the Town Manager to schedule a site visit.
Board of Selectman Meeting=April 29 2003 —Page 5
Review Annual Town Meeting Warrant — The Town Manager noted that Article 9 is the FY
2004 Capital Improvements Program. He noted that he took last year's plan and pushed it
forward one year. The School projects have been taken out of the plan because they have been
authorized.
The Town Manager noted that Article 19 is a petition Article regarding approval of the bill role.
It would require the Board of Selectmen to sign bill roles for all departments. He spends 1-1 115
hours per week reviewing the bill role.
Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she had no problem with signing the Town side but would
not sign the School, Library, RMLD or Assessors because their boards already sign them.
Selectman Gail Wood indicated that she would not sign bills that another elected body has
already signed.
A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to support the subject matter of Article 9 was
approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to support the subject matter of Article 12 was
approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to support the subject matter of Article 13 was
approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
A motion by Hines seconded by Wood to support the subject matter of Article 17 was
approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
A motion by Hines seconded by Wood to support the subject matter of Article 18 was
approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Make Up of Audit Committee—Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she has been on the Audit
Committee for eight years and her term is expiring. She does not want to be reappointed.
The Town Manager reviewed the proposed changes. He suggests changing the Moderator
appointment to a Selectmen's appointment. He recommends two Finance Committee
appointees, two Selectmen appointees, two School Committee appointees and one RMLB
appointee. The Selectmen were in agreement on this membership.
Approval of Minutes
A motion by Hines seconded by Wood to approve the minutes of April 1 2003 was
approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
A motion by Hines seconded by Wood to approve the minutes of April 15 2003 was
approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Board of Selectman Meeting—April 29, 2003 —Page 6
A motion by Hines seconded by Wood to adjourn the meeting of April 29, 2003 at 10:35
p.m. was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Resp tfully submitt d
4
Secretary