HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-06-17 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
June 17, 2003
The meeting convened at 7:00 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 (arrived at 8:00 p.m.)
and Gail Wood (arrived at 7:09 p.m.), Finance Director Beth Klepeis, Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Anthony
Darezzo, Mary Ellen Stolecki, Lois Margeson, Mary Vincent, Nancy-Limy Swain, Barbara Faso,
Frederick Shaffer, David Williams, Greg Russo, George Perry, Thomas Connery, Richard
Ciriello, Paul Kelly, Tom Mottle, John Greichen.
A motion by Schubert seconded by Cummings to go into Executive Session for the purpose
of discussing strategy with respect to litigation to come back into Open Session at
approximately 7:30 p.m. was approved on a roll call vote with Anthony, Cummings and
Schubert voting in the affirmative.
The Board reconvened in Open Session at 7:35 p.m.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Gail Wood noted that the West Street
Historic District Committee has decided on the location of the Historic District. It will start at
Louanis and go to Fremont. The Committee is getting ready to hold public hearings. Chairman
Camille Anthony asked if traffic counts can be done on West Street.
Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the School Committee selected Patrick Schettim as
Superintendent of Schools. He attended a site walk at the 1462 Main Street Gas Station. The
Town Manager noted that there will have to be zoning enforcement at that site before a Class 2
Motor Vehicle License could be issued.
Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the initial printing of the quarterly newsletter
"Community Connection" has been done by Northeast Regional Vocational School and the
newsletter is being distributed in the water and sewer bills.
Public Comment- There was no public comment.
Town Manager's Report
The Town Manager gave the following report:
♦ The landfill contractor has begun hauling Water Treatment Plant residuals to the landfill this
week. The work should be complete in about a week. A notice went to all properties along
the route.
♦ Work on the Walkers Brook Drive improvements should begin next week.
♦ There is a proposed improvement to the Exxon Station on Walkers Brook Drive and to the
128 Ford site being reviewed by the Town. The changes in this area will be significant,
spearheaded by the landfill development.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 17, 2003 —Page 2
♦ The 128/I-93 Task Force is meeting on June 26, 2003 in Woburn.
♦ The Financial Forum is not scheduled to meet. The FINCOM will be meeting on June 25,
2003.
♦ I have sent to our State Senator and Representatives, the Home Rule petition requesting that
West Street in Reading be made a"Heavy Vehicle Exclusion" street. We have been trying to
work with our neighboring communities of Wilmington and Woburn to get them to meet the
commitment they made in 1988 with respect to this matter but have had no success to date.
♦ The position of the Reading representative on the Northeast Metropolitan Regional
Vocational School District School Committee is vacant because Bob McCarthy, the elected
Reading representative, resigned so he could be considered as a candidate for the
Superintendent's position. The Board of Selectmen has this matter on their Agenda for July
8th to make an appointment. Mr. McCarthy is now requesting appointment to that position—
he has withdrawn as a candidate of Superintendent of Schools.
♦ Through our Health Services Administrator and Building Inspector, we have been working to
get a property on Kingston Street cleaned up. We have gone through a process of contracting
to have the property cleared of debris, and a lien will be placed on the property to pay for the
cost of the clean up. This action was taken as a last resort.
♦ Our Finance Director Beth Klepeis celebrated her 25th anniversary as a Town employee last
Friday, June 13th.
♦ The "Community Connection" was distributed in the June 10th water/sewer bills. The
printing was privately paid for.
♦ There is a stuffer in the new tax bills that are being sent out, explaining the impact of the -
recent Proposition 2 1/2 override on the average tax bill.
♦ Compost Center Operation
June—
I"and 3rd Saturdays only
JulAugust, September
Monday mornings and
1St and 3rd Saturdays
October and November
Monday mornings
Friday mornings
Saturdays
Info on website, Chronicle, Advocate, Cable TV Channels 9, 10 and/or 22, DPW at 781-
942-9092 or 9076. There is also a flyer and calendar in the June 10th water/sewer bills.
Personnel and Appointments
Aquatics Advisory Board — The Board interviewed Lois Margeson for one position on the
Aquatics Advisory Board.
Cummings moved and Wood seconded to place the following name into nomination for one
position on the Aquatics Advisory Board with a term expiring June 30, 2006: Lois
Margeson. Ms. Margeson received five votes and was appointed.
Board of Cemetery Trustees — The Board interviewed Mary Vincent and Bill Brown for two
positions on the Board of Cemetery Trustees.
Board of Selectmen Meetiniz—June 17 2003 —Page 3
Schubert moved and Cummings seconded to place the following names into nomination for
two positions on the Board of Cemetery Trustees with terms expiring June 30 2006• Mary
Vincent and William Brown. Ms. Vincent and Mr. Brown received five votes each and
were appointed.
Recreation Committee — The Board interviewed Mary Ellen Stolecki, Nancy-Linn Swain,
Barbara Faso and Frederick Shaffer for six vacancies on the Recreation Committee.
Hines moved and Cummings seconded to place the following names into nomination for
three positions on the Recreation Committee with terms expiring June 30, 2006• John
Winne, Mary Ellen Stolecki, Nancy-Linn Swain Barbara Faso and Frederick Shaffer. Mr.
Winne and Ms. Stolecki received five votes each, Ms. Swain received three votes and all
three candidates were appointed.
Cummings moved and Hines seconded to .place the following names into nomination for
one position on the Recreation Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2004• Barbara
Faso and Frederick Shaffer. Ms. Faso received four votes and was appointed
Cummings moved and Hines seconded to place the following names into nomination for
two Associate positions on the Recreation Committee with terms expiring June 30, 2004•
Christopher Campbell and Catherine Kaminer. Mr. Campbell and Ms Kaminer received
five votes each and were appointed.
Solid Waste Advisory Committee — The Board interviewed David Williams and Greg Russo for
two positions on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee.
Wood moved and Cummings seconded to place the following names into nomination for
two positions on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee with terms expiring June 30, 2006•
Mary Becker, Gregory Russo and David Williams Ms Becker received five votes,
Gregory Russo received four votes and both candidates were appointed
Hines moved and Cummings seconded to place the following name into nomination for one
position on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2004• David
Williams. Mr. Williams received five votes and was appointed
Town Forest Committee — The Board interviewed George Perry and Thomas Connery for one
position on the Town Forest Committee.
Wood moved and Cummings seconded to place the following names into nomination for
one position on the Town Forest Committee with a term expiring June 30 2006• George
Perry and Thomas Connery. Mr. Perry received five votes and was appointed
Wood moved and Hines seconded to place the following name into nomination for one
Associate position on the Town Forest Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2004•
Thomas Connery. Mr. Connery received five votes and was appointed
Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 17, 2003 —Page 4
Water and Sewer Advisory Committee — The Board interviewed Richard Ciriello for a position
on the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee.
Cummings moved and Wood seconded to place the following names into nomination for
one position on the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee: Stephen Crook and Richard
Ciriello. Mr. Crook received five votes and was appointed.
Board of Registrars — Cummings moved and Hines seconded to place the following name
into nomination for one position on the Board of Registrars with a term expiring June 30,
2006: Gloria Hulse. Ms. Hulse received five votes and was appointed.
Constable — Hines moved and Cummings seconded to place the following names into
nomination for one position as a Constable with a term expiring June 30, 2006: Thomas
Freeman and Richard Ciriello. Mr. Freeman received five votes and was appointed.
Human Relations Advisory Committee—The Board interviewed Paul Kelly for a position on the
Human Relations Advisory Committee.
Hines moved and Cummings seconded to place the following names into nomination for
two positions on the Human Relations Advisory Committee with terms expiring June 30,
2006: Paul Kelly and Sumi Sinnatamby. Mr. Kelly and Mr. Sinnatamby received five
votes each and were appointed.
Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Committee — The Board interviewed Tom
Mottle and John Greichen for one position on the Telecommunications and Technology
Advisory Committee.
Hines moved and Schubert seconded to place the following names into nomination for one
position on the Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Committee with a term
expiring June 30, 2006: Tom Mottl and John Greichen. Mr. Mottl received five votes and
was appointed.
Hines moved and Wood seconded to place the following name into nomination for one
Associate position on the Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Committee with a
term expiring June 30, 2004: John Greichen. Mr. Greichen received five votes and as
appointed.
Discussion/Action Items
Hearing Speed Limits on Walkers Brook Drive—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The
Town Manager noted that when the Selectmen had a hearing setting the speed limit on
Washington Street, they talked about Walkers Brook Drive. Mass Highway suggests 35 mph. It
is posted at 35 mph but has no legal basis. The Town Manager noted that Mass Highway also
recommends additional signage—advisory sign of 25 mph.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 17, 2003 —Page 5
Tony Darezzo, a resident of John Street, asked if the lights can be timed for 30 mph. The Town
Manager noted that it would be timed for the speed limit.
Selectman George Hines arrived at 8:00 p.m.
A motion by Wood seconded by Cummings to close the hearing on the speed limits on
Walkers Brook Drive was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
A motion by Wood seconded by Cummings to adopt the following speed regulations:
Walkers Brook Drive—Eastbound:
Beginning at the junction of Washington Street, thence easterly on Walker's Brook
Drive:
0.35 miles at 35 miles per hour ending at the Reading/Wakefield Town line; the total
distance being 0.35 miles.
Walkers Brook Drive—Westbound:
Beginning at the Wakefield/Reading Town line, thence westerly on Walker's Brook
Drive:
0.35 miles at 35 miles per hour ending at the junction of Washington Street; the
total distance being 0.35 miles
was approved by a vote of 4-0-0, with Hines abstaining.
Approval of BAN'S — RMHS and New Elementary School — Finance Director Beth Klepeis
noted that she sold BAN's on June 11th for Sunset Rock and RMHS planning. They are dated
June 24th and will mature January 8, 2004. The interest rate on$5 million is .9366%.
Cummings moved and Hines seconded that all action taken by the Town Treasurer in advertising
for public sale of the $7,050,000 Bond Anticipation Notes (BANS) of the Town authorized
pursuant to Chapter 44, Sections 7 of the Mass General Laws, as amended and supplemented, and
by votes of the Town duly adopted, as described in Exhibit A of the Signature, Award, and No-
Litigation Certificate, and in connection with the preparing and distributing of a Preliminary
Official Statement and Notice of Sale and a final official Statement be and hereby is ratified,
approved, and adopted;
That the Notes shall be dated as of June 24, 2003, shall mature on January 8, 2004,
shall bear interest at maturity, and shall not be subject to redemption prior to their stated
maturi
That the Notes shall be issued by means of a book-entry system evidencing
ownership and transfer of the Notes and that in the event of failure or termination of the
book entrysystem, U.S. Bank National Association in Boston, Mass., or its successor, shall
issue replacement notes in the form of a fully registered certificate and shall act as
Transfer Agent and Paying Agent therefor;
That the Notes shall bear interest and are hereby sold and awarded as follows:
Purchaser Amount Int. Rate Premium Net Int. Cost
.' Fleet Nat. Bank $2,050,000 1.125 % $2,050 .9394%
First Albany 5,000,000 1.150 % 5,750 .9366%
Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 17, 2003 —Page 6
That the Town Treasurer is authorized to deliver a Material Events Disclosure
Certificate and the Notes to purchasers; and
That the Board of Selectmen, the Treasurer and the Town Clerk be and hereby are
authorized to take action to execute and deliver all documents related to the Sale. The -
motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Signing Extension of 20 Year Agreement—RMLD —The Town Manager noted that the minutes
from the May 16, 2000 Selectmen's meeting when the Selectmen approved the extension were
attached. The Selectmen just need to sign the agreement.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by Hines seconded by Wood, the minutes of May 20, 2003 were approved by a
vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Wood, the minutes of May 27, 2003 were approved, as
amended, by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Wood, the minutes of June 3, 2003 were approved by a
vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Cummings, the minutes of June 10, 2003 were approved
by a vote of 4-0-1, with Wood abstaining.
A motion by Hines seconded by Cummings to adjourn the meeting of June 17, 2003 at
10:30 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,,,-
f
Secretary