HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-02-26 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
February 26, 2002
The meeting convened at 7:10 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Camille
Anthony (arrived at 7:15 p.m.), Selectmen Richard Schubert and Gail Wood, Town Manager
Peter Hechenbleikner, Health Administrator Jane Fiore, Library Director Kimberly Lynn,
Conservation Administrator Frances Fink, Paula Schena and the following list of interested
parties: W.J. Hughes Jr., Pete Dahl, Gerry MacDonald, Bill Brown, Bob Brown, Steve Conner,
Sandy Michaud, William Carrick, Will Finch, Gary Phillips, Linda Phillips, Karen Storti,
Emerson Tucker.
A motion by Schubert seconded by Wood to go into Executive Session for the purpose of
discussion of strategy with respect to litigation(Beede, Eaton and RMLD); discussion of strategy
with respect to labor negotiations (Police), approval of Executive Session Minutes, to come back
into Open Session at approximately 7:30 p.m. was approved on a roll call vote with Hines,
Schubert and Wood voting in the affirmative.
The Board reconvened in Open Session at 8:00 p.m.
Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation
Proclamation — Drub; Free Week — Health Administrator Jane Fiore and Substance Abuse
Prevention Advisory Council Members Bill Carrick, Sandra Michaud, Bob Brown and Karen
Stord were present.
A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to approve the Proclamation for the Fourteenth
Annual Drug Free Week in the Town of Reading was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Proclamation—Red Cross Month—Bill Hughes was present to receive the Proclamation.
A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to approve the Proclamation declaring March as
Red Cross Month was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Discussion/Action Items
Reverse Decree— 103 Libby Avenue—The Town Manager noted that this property was taken for
back taxes and water and sewer fees. The occupants have come forward, got a mortgage and
will be paying what they owe.
A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to agree to the filing of a motion in Land Court to
vacate the foreclosure against Dennis R. and Lori J. White of 103 Libby Avenue for non-
payment of real estate taxes; and further that this filing will take place subject to the payment in
full of the approximately $78,500 in back taxes, charges, interest and fees which is currently
owed; such payment must be made within 30 days of this vote was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 26, 2002—Page 2
Close Warrant — ATM and Annual Election — The Town Manager reviewed the Warrant
Articles. Chairman George Hines noted that if the Board wanted to put an override on the ballot,
they have to do it tonight. He suggested adding recycling bins to Article 13 regarding
establishing a revolving fund for compost bins.
The Town Manager noted that Article 19 is a petition Article to rescind remaining debt for the
new school. The petitioner Emerson Tucker was present. Mr. Tucker noted that he feels fixing
the High School is a larger priority than having a third elementary school. He also feels that it
would be best to hold the new elementary school in abeyance. He noted that he wants to see
what $450,000 is going to get us for designs.
The Town Manager noted that Article 23 was requested by Bill Brown regarding the Selectmen
authorizing liquor in public buildings. Bill Brown noted that Carl McFadden wants another
dance next year and wants to hold it at the field house. This would also allow functions at the
Library and Senior Center. The Town Manager noted that Town Counsel ruled that we cannot
serve liquor at the field house because it is used for school purposes.
The Town Manager noted that Article 24 is a petition Article requiring financial disclosure for
appointed officials. He noted that the oath and State law already covers this.
The Town Manager noted that Article 25 eliminates the Sign Review Board, and the Board of
Selectmen should discuss this with CPDC before Town Meeting.
Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the minimum funding has been made available to the
Library from the overlay surplus. Library Director Kimberly Lynn noted that they are still
$21,000 under on materials, and it will have to be made up by cutting a couple of hours per
week.
Board of Library Trustees Member Steven Connor noted that the general response to an override
for the Library is positive but the Board has not met to discuss it yet. Selectman Gail Wood
noted that she was in favor of an override for the Library.
The Board discussed a debt exclusion override for certain projects.
A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to place a debt exclusion on the ballot for the Marion
Woods, School roofs, School boilers and heating system replacement failed by a vote of 1-3-0
with Hines, Schubert and Anthony opposed.
A motion by Anthony seconded by Wood to put the road maintenance program in the capital
plan to present to Town Meeting and then the Election in the Fall was approved by a vote of
4-0-0.
A motion by Anthony seconded by Wood to close the Warrant consisting of 27 Articles for the
Annual Town Meeting and Annual Election, action on Articles 2 through 27, to take place
beginning at 7:30 p.m. on April 22, 2002 at the Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland
Road, was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 26, 2002—Page3
Review Conservation Commission Policy on Conservation Restrictions — Conservation
Administrator Frances Fink and Conservation Commission Chairman Will Finch were present.
The Town Manager noted that the policy was developed as a follow up to a meeting with the
Board of Assessors and Board of Selectmen. The policy provides for notification to the Board of
Selectmen if the land can be developed.
Approval of Release of Easement and Acceptance of Deed — Timothy Place — The Town
Manager noted that this is to formalize action which was taken by Town Meeting.
A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to approve the conveyance of land shown as Parcel A
on a plan entitled "Plan of Land in Reading Massachusetts dated October 29, 2001 by Hayes
Engineering Inc., from Nicholas Diranian to the Town of Reading Conservation Commission";
and that the Board of Selectmen approve the release of an easement recorded at Middlesex South
Registry of Deeds, Book 8521, Page 275, to Nicholas M. Diranian; and that the Board of
Selectmen is authorized to sign all documents related to these transactions was approved by a
vote of 4-0-0.
Change in Policy — Charging for Bulk Waste Program — The Town Manager reviewed the
options for charging for bulk items. He noted that the Town will continue to pick up at anytime
but the item must have a sticker on it.
The Board directed the Town Manager to delay the change this year if the money can be found.
This will give more time for advertising the change.
The Town Manager noted that Chairman George Hines asked whether the Town's trust fund held
any Enron stocks and the answer was that we don't. The Town Manager noted that the PRIT in
which the Town of Reading invests its pension funds does hold Enron stock which is equal to
1% of the pension holdings.
Town Meeting Member Linda Phillips noted that she was present to answer any questions on her
petition articles.
Presentation on NPDES Phase II Stormwater Regulations — This was rescheduled for the March
5, 2002 Meeting.
Presentation on Inflow and Infiltration Efforts — This was rescheduled for the March 5, 2002
Meeting.
A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to adjourn the meeting of February 26, 2002 at 10:15
p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 and the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
-- Secretary ryw