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Home My WebLink About2003-10-14 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting October 14,2003 The meeting convened at 7:02 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Richard Schubert, Secretary Gail Wood, Selectman Camille Anthony, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Mary Ellen O'Neill, Bob Brown, Fred Van Magness, Vinnie Cameron, Phil Pacino, Mark Ford, Sean Devlin, Chris Finnigan, Scott Mayette, Scott Wade,Bruce Ayer, Trish Smith. A_motion by Schubert seconded by Wood to go into Executive Session for the purpose of strategy with regard to litigation to come back into Open Session at approximately 7.45 p.m.was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the affirmative The Board reconvened in Open Session at 7:45 p.m. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she attended the site visit on Pierce Street, and the neighbors will be writing a letter to CPDC regarding certain issues. She asked if the George Street project was coming back to the Board of Selectmen regarding the access issue, and the Town Manager noted that the developer will be coming in to make a presentation. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that he attended the Downtown Parking Workshop. Comments will be put together and the group will meet again before coming back to the Board of Selectmen. The schedule is to have the group meet in November and come back to the Board of Selectmen in December. He also noted that the Master Plan Commission will be holding an Economic Development Forum. Public Comment — Mark Ford asked if there has been any progress with regard to Memorial Park. He feels that the provisions in the Deed are not being adhered to. Chairman George Hines noted that Town Counsel has determined that the activities taking place at the park are allowed. A letter has been drafted and will be sent out to the sports organizations. This issue will be put on a future Selectmen's Agenda. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ The West Street Heavy Vehicle Exclusion should be approved by the end of the year. ♦ Summer Avenue and Hopkins Street have been milled and will be paved tomorrow. ♦ Street patching throughout Town will be done by the end of the Fall. ♦ The Town Manager gave tours of Town Hall to 100 second graders from the Killam School today. Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 14, 2003 —Page 2 Personnel and Appointments Fire Department Badge Pinning—Fire Chief Greg Burns introduced the Town's newest six Fire Fighters/EMT's, and their family members pinned on their badges. The Town Manager noted that this is the largest number the Town has added to the Reading Fire Department, thanks to the override. They are all paramedics and will support the Advance Life Support system. The Selectmen congratulated Fire Fighters Sean Devlin, Chris Finnigan, Scott Mayette, Scott Wade,Bruce Ayer and Trish Smith. Discussion/Action Items Hearing_Sto' Sign on Chute Street southbound at Woburn Street — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that staff recommends a stop sign on Chute Street southbound at Woburn Street. He also noted that this is a busy intersection, especially on Sundays. Chairman George Hines asked if the Selectmen could adopt a policy to define areas to install stop signs and if there are any appeals, then it would go to the Selectmen. The Town Manager noted that he will talk with Town Counsel. A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to close the hearing for the stop sign on Chute Street at Woburn Street was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to amend the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations by adding to Article 6, Section 6.12, the following: Stop on Chute Street southbound at Woburn Street was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing Stop Sign on Parker Street southbound at Haven Street — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that staff recommends a stop sign on Parker Street southbound at Haven Street. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked about the visibility of the stop sign, and the Town Manager noted that it would be visible and a stop bar will be painted. Chairman George Hines suggested also having a stop sign on Elliott Street. A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to close the hearing for the stop sign on Parker Street at Haven Street was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to amend the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations by adding to Article 6, Section 6.12, the following: Stop on Parker Street southbound at Haven Street, and stop on Elliott Street northbound at Haven Street was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 14, 2003—Page 3 Hearing Policy on Legal Services Review Committee—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that this will be a seven member committee consisting of two members of the Board of Selectmen, one School Committee representative, one Bylaw Committee member and three other members who may be a Town Meeting member, citizen at large, or a member of a Board, Committee or Commission. The Committee will solicit proposals, interview candidates, and recommend three final candidates for the Board of Selectmen to interview. The Board discussed the term of the committee and set the term at March 31, 2004, unless extended by the Board of Selectmen. The three other members will also be appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The Board discussed the term of the contract, and indicated their preference is to stay with outside counsel. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that a survey of staff and Boards, Committees and Commissions should be done to get their needs, likes or dislikes. The Town Manager noted that he will e-mail the survey to the Selectmen for their review, and then send it out to the Boards, Committees and Commissions who use counsel. The Town Manager noted that going by past practice, he reviews and appoints Labor Counsel jointly with the School Department. Chairman George Hines asked why he did not go through - the same process, and the Town Manager noted that Labor Counsel is specialized counsel and he only uses them for arbitration and grievances. A motion by Anthonyseconded by Wood to close the hearing establishing an Ad Hoc Town Counsel Review Committee was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to approve the policy establishing an Ad Hoc Town Counsel Review Committee dated October 14, 2003, as amended, was approved baa vote of 4-0-0. Discussion with Public Safety Personnel on use of Warning Sirens — This agenda item will be rescheduled because the person who requested it was not notified of the meeting. Review Warrant—The Town Manager reviewed the Warrant Articles for the November 10, 2003 Subsequent Town Meeting. The Town Manager noted that Article 8 is for $250,000 for sidewalks on Franklin Street, and it will be a one-time cost of$30.00 to the taxpayer. Selectman Camille Anthony suggested a site visit for Town Meeting Members. The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen will hold a - -; hearing. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that the Town of Lincoln has the same type of road and has the sidewalk meandering through the trees. The Town Manager noted that the home setbacks in Lincoln are further back than in Reading. Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 14, 2003—Page_4 The Town Manager noted that Article 11 is for funding of the design for the Water Treatment Plant. Selectman Gail Wood noted that there will be tours of the Water Treatment Plant on November 1, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. Article 12 is to authorize debt to purchase water from the MWRA. Article 13 is to fund replacement of the water line in the Birch Meadow area. The Town Manager suggested holding on this Article until Town Meeting when the numbers are available. Article 14 requires residency for members of Boards, Committees and Commissions. Article 15 is a housekeeping Article regarding tangible personal property and making it consistent with State law. Article 16 amends the Bylaws to bring the Town's smoking policy in line with the State regulations. Article 17 is regarding early retirement for the RMLD. Article 18 is to amend the Zoning By-Laws regarding continuation of no-conforming structures. A motion by Wood seconded by Anthonyto o support the subject matter of Article 5 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to support the subject matter of Article 6 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony� o support the subject matter of Article 7 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to support the subject matter of Article 8 was approved by a vote of 3-0-1,with Anthony abstaining A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to support the subject matter of Article 11 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to support the subject matter of Article 12 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to support the subject matter of Article 14 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to support the subject matter of Article 15 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 14, 2003—Page 5 A motion by Wood seconded by Anthon t� o support the subject matter of Article 16 was approved by a vote of 3-1-0,with Wood opposed A motion by Anthony seconded by Wood to adjourn the meeting of October 14, 2003 at 9••40 p.m.was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, d r Secretary