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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-04-09 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting April 9, 2002 The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines (arrived at 7:05 p.m.), Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Matthew Cummings, Selectmen Richard Schubert and Gail Wood, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Health Administrator Jane Fiore, Library Director Kim Lynn, Recreation Administrator Mark Hyson, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Harry Harutunian, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Town Counsel Joan Langsam, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Police Chief Bob Silva, Bill Brown, R. E. Monroe, Colleen Seferian, Tim Twomey, Russ Graham, Carl McFadden, Will Finch, Stephen Crook, John Gall, Jim Giarrusso, Jim Currier. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of strategy with respect to Labor Negotiations — Police, and Approval of Executive Session Minutes to come back into Open Session at approximately 7:45 p.m. was approved on a roll call vote with Anthony, Cummings, Schubert and Wood voting in the affirmative. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 8:15 p.m. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Richard Schubert congratulated the RMHS teams who are going to the Nationals. He attended the PAYT Program at the Library and would like discussion on matter in the future. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she received an invitation for the Suburban Coalition Legislative Breakfast. Camille, Rick and George agreed to attend. Selectman Matthew Cummings indicated that he was very pleased with the Melanson Heath report. Selectman Gail Wood thanked everyone for her re-election. Chairman George Hines thanked everyone for his re-election. Public Comment- School Building Committee Chairman Russell Graham was present. He noted that the voters gave permission to move forward with the school project, and he is asking for involvement from the entire community. Selectman Gail Wood asked for a meeting schedule, and Mr. Graham noted that he would send this to the Board of Selectmen. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Proclamation — Public Health Day — Health Administrator Jane Fiore and Board of Health Member Colleen Seferian were present to receive the Proclamation. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 9, 2002 —Page 2 A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood declaring April 17, 2002 as Public Health Day was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Proclamation—National Public Safety Telecommunications Week—Police Chief Bob Silva and Head Dispatcher Dick Monroe were present to receive the Proclamation. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to declare April 14-20, 2002 as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Proclamation—National Library Week—Library Director Kimberly Lynn was present to receive the Proclamation. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to declare April 15-20, 2002 as National Library Week was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Certificate of Recognition — Joseph C. McGrane, Boy Scout Troop 705 — A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to approve the Certificate of Recognition for Joseph Chandler McGrane of Boy Scout Troop 705 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Close the Warrant—Special Town Meeting—Consideration of Transfer of Field House to School Committee - Chairman George Hines noted that the Warrant consists of an Article as follow up to the debt exclusion vote. The School Department is asking the Board to consider adding another article. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Harry Harutunian noted that it was brought to his attention that the Field House is not under the control of the School Department, and the SBAB will not reimburse unless it is under the control of the School Department. He is asking the Board of Selectmen for a transfer of the deed or a 30 year lease. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that the Field House was deliberately not transferred in 1969. Dr. Harutunian noted that he thought it was an oversight. He also noted that the Field House is part of their academics. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that the Field House is a community asset -- not just a School Department asset. The Town Manager noted that this is not an urgent issue, and the School Department can still go ahead with the design. School Building Committee Chairman Russell Graham noted that the SBAB is eager to find reasons not to give us money. Selectman Gail Wood noted that the Field House was built as a community asset and this was not an oversight. Board of Selectmen Meeting=April 9, 2002 —Page 3 Selectman Richard Schubert noted that this is just a formality, and it is important to get all details and funding. Town Counsel Joan Langsam noted that the transfer can be done by fee or lease with certain rights to the Town. Bill Brown indicated that he would like to see the Town transfer the land to the School Department. Dr. Harutunian noted that nothing would change. He also noted that the School Department has been setting rental rates for use of the Field House. A motion by Schubert seconded by Wood directing the Town Manager to draft language to transfer the land of the Field House to the care, custody and control of the School Department with flexibility to provide access to the community was approved by a vote of 3-2-0, with Wood and Cummings opposed. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to close the Warrant consisting of five Articles for the Special Town Meeting on April 25, 2002 at 8:00 p.m. at the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium, 62 Oakland Road, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Continuation Storage License—Mobil— 1330 Main Street—The Town Manager noted this is the second continuation. Mobil/Exxon has applied for a license to convert one tank from gas to diesel. There are environmental issues with the abutter across the street. The Town Manager noted that he talked with DEP and confirmed that the clean up is being adhered to. He also noted that there is a memo from the Fire Chief that indicates that the single wall tanks were in compliance when they were installed. Jim Giarrusso from Bohler Engineering noted that he sent the Board of Selectmen a letter addressing their concerns regarding compliance. He also noted that the work was done with a permit from the Fire Department. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she wants the tanks changed to double wall and wants more information from the DEP. Mr. Giarrusso noted that there is no additional information to get from DEP because they have complied with everything. Scott from Geological Services Corporation (GSC) noted that they are still monitoring on site and at Marshall's on a semiannual basis. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony asked if there is any requirement to report the results to the community. Scott noted that it is a public record and they don't send to the community unless asked for but the Board of Health is notified. Jim Currier, representative for the Dairy Maid Trust, noted that the report indicates the contamination came from across the street. Dairy Maid has a potential buyer and they want it Board of Selectmen Meeting—_April 9, 2002—Page 4 cleaned up. He also noted that the contaminate is above levels -- it hasn't degraded and active remediation is needed. Chairman George Hines asked why DEP hasn't required this. Jim Currier noted that it is because DEP hasn't seen the damage and Mobil files the reports on time. DEP does random audits. Jim Currier also noted the contamination is from Mobil because a certain chemical that was found in the testing was added to fuel in the 70's. The other station closed in the 60's. Conservation Chairman Will Finch noted that this is the Zone 2 aquifer and the Town could follow the Public Information Process (PIP). If a petition with 10 signatures on it is submitted to DEP, that would initiate the process and they would have to hold public hearings. Town Counsel Joan Langsam noted that the Town cannot force Mobil to put in double tanks -- the tanks are regulated by the State. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to close the hearing on the application by Exxon Mobil Corporation to store diesel fuel at 1330 Main Street was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to approve the license for Exxon Mobil Corporation for underground storage of 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel (tank converted from mid- grade gasoline to diesel) at 1330 Main Street was discussed. A motion by Anthony seconded by Wood to amend the main motion by adding that the Board of Selectmen be sent copies of all reports on the monitoring of the site was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Cummings opposed. The main motion as amended was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Anthony opposed. Water Supply Update—Public Works Director Ted McIntire noted that three bedrock wells have been drilled— one was dry. He also recommends awarding the bid for the design and rehab for the Water Treatment Plant and addition to CDM. He noted that the MWRA states that we have to maintain our supply and we have to follow EPA regulations. If we don't update the Water Treatment Plant, then we won't meet the regulations in 2006. Ted McIntire noted that the contract for the hardware/software for the radio read program has been awarded. John Gall from CDM reviewed the process for applying to the MWRA and noted that we are on schedule for applying to the MWRA. The water management plan and conservation plan are being worked on, and the cost of connecting will be about$3.4 million. Hearing on Article 19 re: Amendment to Administrative Code — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the Charter calls for an administrative code. Town Meeting either approves or disapproves. The current organizational chart was approved in 1992. The new chart creates the Department of Community Services due to the elimination of the Assistant Town Manager, and moves the Recreation Division to the Public Works Department. Recreation Administrator Mark Hyson noted that the only issue is with space but that is being worked on. He indicated that the budgeting will remain the same. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 9 2002—Page 5 A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to close the hearing on Article 19 regarding the amendment to the administrative code was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 19 on the 2002 Annual Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Completion of the Review of the Warrant — The Town Manager noted that Article 8 isn't ready yet. The Finance Committee will be meeting to review Article 12. The Property and Casualty Insurance is up considerably and the budget is off about$14,000. Article 18 delegates authority of setting fees to the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he feels Town Meeting should debate this without a Board of Selectmen recommendation. A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to recommend the subject matter of Article 18 on the 2002 Annual Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 4-0-1, with Cummings abstaining. The Town Manager noted that Article 24 is amending the Bylaw regarding liquor in public buildings. A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 24 on the 2002 Annual Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 3-0-2, with Cummings and Hines abstaining. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he felt the Board should not take a position on Article 25 because it is covered under the conflict of interest. A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 25 of the 2002 Annual Town Meeting Warrant failed by a vote of 0-3-2, with Cummings and Wood abstaining. Approval of Minutes A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to approve the minutes of their meeting of March 12, 2002 was approved by a vote of 4-0-1, with Anthony abstaining. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to approve the minutes of their meeting of March 19, 2002 was approved by a vote of 4-0-1, with Anthony abstaining. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to adjourn the meeting of April 9, 2002 at 10:55 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, kSecretar�r