HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-05-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
May 27, 2003
The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Camille Anthony, Vice Chairman
Matthew Cummings, Secretary Richard Schubert, Selectmen George Hines and
Gail Wood, Recreation Administrator John Feudo, Police Chief Bob Silva, Town
Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Ben Nichols,
George Perry, Mike deBrigard, Alan Beaulieu, Dick Anderson, Joan McClure.
Discussion/Action items
Approval of Memorandum of Understanding with School Committee re: RMHS - The
Board of Selectmen discussed the Memorandum of Understanding with the School
Committee regarding the Birch Meadow Complex. The Town Manager's draft was
reviewed as was the draft by Selectman George Hines.
Gail Wood moved and Matthew Cummings seconded a motion to adopt the
agreement as presented by the Town Manager noted as Page 5 in tonight's handout
A motion by Hines seconded by Wood to amend the agreement to add paragraph 2
from George Hines' draft was defeated by a vote of two in favor (Hines and Wood)
and three opposed.
A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to amend the main motion to add to the
main motion "that the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee will execute
simultaneously an agreement of understanding that will provide that the lease will
include language: "as part to this agreement, the Reading School Committee agrees
to establish terms of the lease that will provide for the preservation of current
practices providing for the recreational and civic uses of the land and facilities b�
Reading citizens. In addition, the Reading School Committee agrees to approve
final plans for the High School that include a second access roadway to Birch
Meadow Drive." This amendment was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Schubert
opposed.
On motion by Hines seconded by Wood the Board voted to amend the proposed
agreement by adding in the last paragraph after 2003 "shall be valid upon execution
by both parties." The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0 On the main motion
the final vote was 4-1-0 with Hines opposed
Meet with Town Forest Committee re: Skateboard Park - Ben Nichols, George Perry and
Mike deBrigard from the Town Forest Committee met with the Board of Selectmen.
Board of Selectmen Meetin�May 27, 2003 —Page 2
The members of the Town Forest Committee felt that the Town Forest did not meet the
criteria for a skateboard park, including the fact that the property is not readily accessible,
there is poor access, it is in the Ipswich River watershed area, and it might run afoul of
Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution. The Town Forest Committee, therefore, is
not in favor of use of a portion of the Town Forest for a skateboard park at this time.
There was additional discussion about a water management plan for Meadow Brook and
access to the Town Forest from the School which is under construction. There was also
discussion about the Town Forest Committee developing a Forest Management Plan.
On motion by Schubert seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0-0
to remove the Town Forest from consideration as a location for the skateboard
park.
Chairman Camille Anthony noted that we need to consider forest management for the
Town Forest, including control harvesting. The Town Forest Committee agreed that they
would proceed in developing and implementing a Town Forest Management Program.
Personnel and Appointments
Council on Arg — Dick Anderson arrived for interview for re-appointment on the
Council on Aging. Although this was scheduled for the following week, the Board did
take up Mr. Anderson's appointment and interviewed him.
On motion by Hines seconded by Schubert, the Board voted to appoint Dick
Anderson to the Council on Aging for a term expiring 6-30-06 by a vote of 5-0-0.
Review Board of Selectmen Ranking of Skateboard Sites - The Board of Selectmen
discussed the location of a skateboard park. The Board reviewed the sites in contention.
On motion by Cummings seconded by Wood, the Board voted 4-1-0 with Hines
opposed to eliminate the Oakland Road site from consideration.
On motion by Hines seconded by Cummings, the Board voted to consider one
alternative for the skateboard park which would be to move Imagination Station to
the Higgins properly, and put the skateboard park on the location where the
Imagination Station is. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
The Board asked for input on the conservation issues from the Conservation
Administrator and also planning issues from the Town Planner prior to the public
hearing.
Follow-Up on Crossing Guard Posts — Police Chief Bob Silva was present to review the
status of the Crossing Guard posts. He presented an updated e-mail dated May 27"'
which outlined that there were no people crossing at Sunnyside and Prescott Streets and
none at Pearl and Charles Streets. There were eight crossing at Pearl and Salem Streets
on Thursday and two on Salem Street.
Board of Selectmen Meeting=May 27, 2003 —Page 3
Resident Joan McClure from Wilson Street urged the Board not to eliminate the Crossing
Guard post at Salem and Pearl Streets. She noted that there are a lot of kids during good
weather who ride their bike from this area to the Killam School. She also noted that there
should be plenty of notice before any changes are made in Crossing Guard locations.
Chief Silva noted that he had eliminated the position at Sunnyside and Prescott Streets,
and has installed a Crossing Guard at Birch Meadow Drive at Coolidge. He also had a
request for a Crossing Guard at Woodland and John Carver. There was discussion as to
whether or not the intersection of Pearl and Salem Streets should be signalized.
Chief Silva noted that he would like to continue the current status of Crossing Guards as
he has described it through the end of this school year, and for the next couple of weeks
of the new school year, and then come back and revisit the situation with the Board of
Selectmen at the end of September 2003. He would also develop the criteria for how to
review and establish appropriate Crossing Guard locations within the community, and
hopes to do a review on an ongoing basis.
One of the options discussed was to provide some locations with "good weather"
Crossing Guards — i.e., perhaps start a school until November 1st' and then April 1" until
the end of school at locations like Pearl and Salem Streets, if we can get Crossing Guards
to work those days/hours.
Follow-Up on Parking Enforcement Officer Salary and Revenue - Chief Silva presented
information on the cost and revenues with the Parking Enforcement Officer from its
inception to date. The Town Manager also gave the Board of Selectmen a copy of the
motion on the Revolving Fund at Town Meeting. The total revenue generated in less
than 12 months to date has been approximately $27,800. The total amount expended on
an annualized basis for the Parking Enforcement Officer's salary is $11,063. The
Revolving Fund allows an expenditure of up to $15,000.
On motion by Hines seconded by Schubert, the Board voted to approve the Parking
Enforcement Officer's change in pay as initially proposed by a vote of 5-0-0.
Establishment of Budget Task Force — The Board talked about having a Budget
Committee which would have representation from the School Committee, the Finance
Committee and the Board of Selectmen to discuss ongoing budget issues but not to make
policy commitments. It was suggested that we should have a Financial Forum Meeting in
mid-June and place this matter before the Financial Forum for discussion.
Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings asked that building maintenance be included at the
same meeting.
The Town Manager noted that the Venetian Moon Restaurant had requested a letter of
support for its application before the Architectural Access Board. Vice Chairman
Matthew Cummings recused himself from discussion. Chairman Camille Anthony felt
that we should not be supporting waiver of handicap access laws.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 27, 2003 —Page 4
On motion by Hines seconded by Wood, the Board voted to send a letter of support
regarding the application of Venetian Moon at 680 Main Street. The motion was
approved by a vote of 3-1-0,with Anthony opposed.
On motion by Wood seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn
their meeting of May 27, 2003 at 9:50 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
..............
AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND
THE READING BOARD OF SELECTMEN
FOR LAND IN THE AREA KNOWN AS THE BIRCH MEADOW PLAY AREA
The Reading Selectmen understand the importance of Massachusetts Department of Education SBA
reimbursement for the Reading Memorial High School Project.
The Reading Selectmen understand that under Massachusetts General Laws all land and buildings for
which funding from the SBA is sought must be under the "care, custody, and control " of the Reading
School Committee to be eligible to receive Department of Education School Building Assistance
reimbursement for the Reading Memorial High School addition/renovation project. To that end the
Board of Selectmen will:
♦ Place an article on the Town Meeting warrant following completion of the Reading Memorial High
School addition/renovation project to transfer all land that Reading Memorial High School buildings
and appurtenances occupy (including parking lots but not including park land and fields), to the
Reading School Committee. Upon completion of the project, an as-built survey will be done by the
School Committee at their sole cost and expense, of the entire Birch Meadow complex„ and this
survey will be used as the basis of determining the property whose ownership will be transferred to
and/or from the Reading School Committee;
♦ Provide a long-term lease to the Reading School Committee for the "care, custody, and control" of
all lands and fields that are part of the Reading Memorial High School addition/renovation project.
Town Meeting has authorized the Board of Selectmen to lease or transfer land to the Reading School
Committee at its November 2002 Town Meeting.
The agreement has been validated by a vote of the Board of Selectmen on May 27, 2003, by the School
Committee on May 27, 2003, shall be valid upon execution by both parties, and has been reviewed by the
Department of Education to ensure that it meets the requirements of securing reimbursement from the
SBA program..
BOARD OF SELECT READ SCH COMMITTEE
ny, n 1-�drvq"Pete Dahl, Chairman