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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-06-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting June 24, 2002 The meeting convened at 7:45 p.m. in the Parker Middle School Auditorium, 45 Temple Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Camille Anthony, Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings, Secretary Richard Schubert, Selectmen George Hines and Gail Wood, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Engineer Joe Delaney, Town Counsel John Gannon, Representative Brad Jones, Paula Schena and the following list of interested persons: Kathy Keen, Mary Higgins, Debbie Harris, John Carpenter, Joan Foohey, Catherine and Thomas Giangrande, Jonathan Barnes, Neil Sullivan, Bill and Sandy Russell, Carmen O'Rourke, Kathryn Adams, Anne Jack, Nancy Kearney, Peter Moloney, Paul Millett, Henry and Eleanor Higgott, Chris Oehmen, James Rogers, Nancy Najmi, Ronald Iapicca, Lisa Franchi, Louis Gamos, Kim Flynn, Teresa Vitale, Julie Spinuzzi, Donna Milley, Gina Bacigalupo, Walter Begonis, Jerry Bonnabeau, Tom and Wendy Foxon, Charles Loughton, Krissandra and Richard Holmes, Stewart and Jennifer May, Neil Gillis, Anne and Joseph Coletti, Beverly Sorrentino, Carol Ann Maggelet-Solares, Dana Roberts, David Erwin, Rita Swanson, Nilo Hennings, Sara Forbes, R. Soli, Jon Ewing, Alan and Robin Hamilton, Paula DePalma, Linda Murray,Pat Donnelly, John Pack, Karen Sanborn, Harry Simmons, Paul Lucerto, Gertrude Keenan, E. Mahoney, B. Wellington, Theresa and Harold Bond, Erica and Peter Larkin, Kathy DeAngelo, Elizabeth Davidson, Thomas Ryan, Cromwell Schubarth, Brenda Hank, Cindy and Tom Bates, Lynne Graham, Floyd Traugot, Liz Krugman, Norma and Russell LeBlanc, Lois and John Halligan, Oleda and Charles Dady, Paul and Barbara Kelly, Nancy Dieselman, Anne McGhue, Anne Kinteris, Alan Riley, Anthony Rickley, Barbara Carli, Susan DiMambro, Ronald Fante, Frank _-- Federico, Nancy Ziemlak, Mary Sweeney, Sue Colozzi, Tom and Colleen Barrett, Beth Stakem, Gina DiRocco, Maureen Hennessy, Bill Redford, Ed Callahan, Keith and Jason Zerfas, Ellen Rockefeller, Dennis Abate, Pat Andrews, Fred and Joan Doherty, Miriam Acebido, Doris Perkins, Andy Bray, Vincent Miccio, Alan Parrelli, Brian Colozzi, Craig Chamberlain, Janice Feagley, Maura Walsh, Brian Snell, Marianne Cafazzo, Diana LeLacheur, Dorothy Casolaro, Katrin Wynns, Gil Rodrigues, Susan Byrne, Helen Murphy, Kathy Tierney, Edmund Balboni, Nancy Chase, Joseph and Sue Russell, Veronica Collins, Stephen Crook, John Delaney, Bernard Carey, Marilyn Simmons, Peter Cunningham, Dimitri Emelianoff, Deborah Berg, Karen Bell, Ellen Bell, Joan Steele, Emma White, Marianne and Steve Downing, Nancy Errico, Tom Procopio, Richard Smith, Bill Harron, Marlene and Robert McArdle, Maureen Arakelian, Mike Menzie, Maureen McDonald, Carolyn Sylvester, Eileen Faggiano, Daniel Goddu, R. C. D'Antona, Jane Fiore, Charles and Oleda Daly, Barry Berman, Brad and Joanne Fuller, Nancy Matheson, Joan and Charles Drane, Paul and Janice Fiore, Bob Brown, Glen Hartzler, Karen Stroman, Ernest Griffith, Tim Hagen, Everett Roscoe, Jeff McGoldrick, Bill and Louise Davis, Florence Sorenson, Brian Mahoney, Susan Schellenbach, Patricia and John Corbett, Charles McDonald Jr., Carol Donovan, Ann Lonergan, Michael Giacalone, Timothy Houston, Christopher Barrett, Toni Cook, Kay Mallette, Barbara Maguire, Tony and Keri Borsini, Michael and Carol Pottle, Edward Smethurst, Keith Curtis, Darla Niewenhous, Stephen Morrison, Nancy Hinds, Mark Walsh, Tony Torra, Gardner Bradlee, Lucy Pandolfo, Loretta Comeau, James and Karin McDonald, Richard and Elaine McDonald, Eric Bergstrom, Paul Sartell, Bruce Hitchcock, David Tuttle, Jack Marshall, Carla Abate, Stan Karandanis, Robert Sorrentino, Mike Richardson, Richard Abate, Michelle Hopkinson, Mark Bouyer, Alison and Gerry Majeau, Nancy Tuttle, Ed Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 24, 2002 —Page 2 and Andrea Howard, Rosemarie DeBenedetto, Colleen Quilley, Carol Grasso, Tom O'Rourke, Marisue Blue, J. Zahlaway, Paul Devlin, Mark Hintlian, Diane Weggel, Charlotte Harlan, Brenda Miccio, Pat DeWolf, Charles and Carmen Restuccia, Ruby Picano, Teresa Costa, Barbara Bradlee, Margaret and Bob Soli, K, Ericson, Robert Prioli, Beth Herman, Mary Dearborn, Audrey Pisar, Evelyn Small, Roland and Joyce Emero, Richard Dennis, Linda Burns, Stephen and Kelley Bates, Maria Higgins, Jim and Jeanne O'Rourke, Joseph Lupi, Eunice Delaney, Janet Carey, Bob Cahins, Nick Safina, Sharon Peterson, Lynda Palladino, Sue Reardon, Michael and Heather Soracco, John Sullivan, Sandra Dickey, Nancy Smethurst, Julia Rodriguez, Louis Nadeau, Dennis McCarthy, Mary and Dennis Coneeney, Jane Cummings, Helen Miller, Mary Kate Bourn, Eric Rzepka, Charles Wilder, Lynne Cameron, Edward Cameron, Jeanne Wheaton-Doyon, John Moynihan, Janet Latham, Mark and Linda Hank, Martha Wilder, Elaine McDonald, Maureen Wolfe, Audrie Cameron, Richard Knowles, Christine Downey, Shirley Hughes, Denny Calvo, Robert Nason, Ann Hale, Phil Dube, Robert Frederick, Martha Cunningham, Karen Carneglia, Julie Chase, Craig Vickery, Charleen and Zenon Smotrcz, Annette Flanagan, J. A. Roy, Pearl Ferris, Mary Drew, Maureen and Fred Hanifan, Marilyn and Paul Janes, Charlene Bazarian, Marge, Chris and Kevin Dahill, Lois and William Pike, R. Romano, Michael and Nina Emelianoff, Bradley Steele, Pauline and John Harris, Marie Hickey, Kathleen Keenan, Tom Hollander, Maria Schellenbach, Alice Bourget, Susan Blake, Anthony Fisichella, Nancy and Chuck Schena, Heather and Keith Denehy, Gretchen and Kevin Neels, D. Doucette, Dennis Laabs, James Rogers, Randy and Katherine Johnson, Adele Blunt, Mary Avery, Melissa and Simin Lin, Ann Marie Winri, Eugene DelGaizo, Bruce and Nancy Mely, Leslie McGonagle, Bonnie Lombardo, Carolyn Doherty, John Cafazzo, John Kirlan, Cynthia Boudreau, Louise Mullaney, Steve Bornstein, Linda Egan, Joanne Martinelle, Susan Panacopoulos, Suzanne House, Diane Abraham, Louis Caligiuri, Rick and Jane Lessard, Peggy Tringale, Lee Anne and Michael Webb, Steve Garey, Theo Mitropoulos, Andrew Grimes, �- Richard and Joyce Willson, Victor Li, John O'Neill, Noreen Conlan, Eugene, Cotilda, John and Eugene Ware, James Flett, Peter Squeglia, Stephen Belt, Joan Neary, Lori Neary, Kevin McKenna, Sandra Fermano, Maria Caruso, David Lautman, Elise and George Scully, Judy and Mike Coltman, Rhonda and Robert Gracilieri, Diane Chapin, Steven Oston, Audrey Doyle, Erwin Fruehauf, David Donnelly, Jim Orpin, Nancy and Albert Klare, George Lonergan, Jr., Dave Nelson, Nancy and Paul Marrier, Hilda and Donald Moss, Robert Mahoney, Carole Dolan, Rosemarie and Joseph Hrubi, Jody Herook, Peter and Joan Carcia, Rosemarie Sanborn, Beverly Delaney, Joan Benevides, Philip Martinelle, Paul Dustin, Betsy and Bill Caldweg, Tom and Martha Meharg, Gordon Little, Norma Hailey, Vivian Abate, Edwina Kasper, Ann and Bill Webster, Marie Brennan, Rita Shelzi, Lillian Trocki, Lois Marshall, Andy Bramhall, Nanci and Michael Fraser, Susan and John Olson, Camille and Antonio D'Allessandro, Jim and Holly Serevitch, Ed and Phyllis Doherty, Marcel Boisvert, Edward and Mary Fuller, Peter Frasca, Kerri Foxon-Gannon, Steven Bulley, Paul Sweeney, Susan Abate, Mark Rumizen, Mary Ann Wright, Paul Hanlon, Johanna Bartlett, Paul Missert, Bill Saunders, Chris Caruso, Elaine Reidy, Linda Pedersen, Tom Zerfas, Maureen McIsaac, Paul Mortimer, Gena Gearhart, Susan Davey, Kelly McCarthy, Kate Murphy, Fred Capasso, Anthony Macadino, Wendy Robbins. Discussion/Action Items Route 128/93 Interchange Project - Chairman Camille Anthony noted that this meeting was called to address the concerns of the Route 128/93 Interchange Project. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 24, 2002—Page 3 Representative Brad Jones noted that he got a commitment from Mass Highway for a meeting on July 16, 2002 to be hosted by Reading's State delegation. Mass Highway will hopefully have answers to the letter that the Board of Selectmen sent to them. The Town Manager reviewed the role of staff. He noted that the Town Engineer was present but this project is beyond the scope of his expertise. He also noted that the Selectmen are the Chief Executive Officers and the Community Planning and Development Commission work on master planning. Town Counsel John Gannon noted that his role is to work with the Town Officials to monitor the State's compliance with State and Federal regulations and conditions, not to represent individual property owners. The Town Manager reviewed the map of the proposal. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the Town has requested a blueprint of the construction zone, and it is not available yet through Mass Highway. The Town Manager reviewed the schedule of the project. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the feasibility study was to improve safety and congestion at the Interchange. He also noted that this is a regional issue and the scope needs to be expanded. He cannot support this design. He suggested sending a letter to Mass Highway requesting alternatives that will minimize the impact on the community and an improvement in the open process. Darlene Bruen, a representative of THAG, noted that the group does not endorse this project. She also noted that the group was formed to keep an eye on Mass Highway. She indicated that Mass Highway needs to step up to the plate. THAG has three engineers with alternative plans and their group was looking for more volunteers. Carla Abate, spokesperson for the Citizens Action Group, noted that 135 people met on June 20th to discuss the next steps. She also noted that a steering committee was voted in to voice objections to Mass Highway. Subcommittees were formed such as petitions, communication and education. Their Mission Statement was approved. There is a petition drive in Reading and they had received 300 plus signatures since Thursday. She noted that this is not just three communities but at least five, including Wakefield, Burlington, Winchester and Wilmington. Carla Abate noted that the citizens have the following questions and request for information: 1. Where does the Reading Board of Selectmen stand on this issue both collectively and individually? 2. They are requesting to be formally recognized by the Town'as having a representative voice and coming to the table with Mass Highway discussions. 3. Ms. Abate asked when we would get the correct maps of the impact area with all the .._....... streets on it? This should also include the minimum and maximum buffer zones -- what land they will need for staging this project. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 24, 2002 —Page4 4. They require a current traffic flow analysis by time of day, not as total traffic flow. (What was presented was based on data that is 5-6 years old.) 5. The group wants to know if the traffic flow analysis included the impact of Spence Farm (232) and Longwood Farm (288 condos) total of 520 to 1,000 cars traveling on West Street. 6 Regarding Spence Farm, it appears that this is in the right of way of this project. Have provisions been made that we need to know about regarding this housing? 7. Can the Town provide them with a list of roads which are State owned versus Town owned? 8. When can Mass Highway present the citizens with a scaled model of what they are proposing so they can get a visual impact of what is happening? 9. Can they get more information on the following Mass Highway projects with regard to its impact on Reading: (Mass Highway review dates of November 2, 2002) a. Stoneham reconstruction of Route 28 (Main Street) from Marble Street to South Street. File #131511, Project Type: Highway reconstruction—major widening; b. Wilmington Rehabilitation, Route 129 (Lowell Street) from Route (38 Main Street) to Woburn Street. File #601732, Project Type: Highway reconstruction— major widening; C. Reading/Wilmington construction of an 193/129 Interchange and Route 129 widening. File#89200, Project Type: Highway reconstruction—major widening. Jeff Everson of 21 Pine Ridge Circle noted that the project design is flawed, the congestion is a metropolitan problem, and the number of vehicles on U.S. urban highways increases by a few percentage points each year. Adding more roadways will not cure the congestion problem. He also noted that Mass Highway is using 2025 as the end year which will leave 13 years of -- serviceable life; that other possible solutions would be ride sharing, expanded bus service, bus rapid transit, high occupancy toll roads, truck lanes, etc. and these combined with relatively smaller changes to other interchanges, in addition to less severe changes to I93/95 Interchange, should be considered. Gene Richey of 150 Grove Street noted that we need an alternate plan. He presented an alternate plan to the Board of Selectmen. A resident noted that Mass Highway is proposing a high speed interchange -- the loops could be tightened up and the cars would slow down. Leslie McGonigle of 140 Pine Ridge Road noted that there are three problems -- we will lose approximately 77 homes and eminent domain is not in favor of the homeowner, those homes that are not taken will have to deal with the noise and pollution, and the Town will be losing revenues. She also noted that Route 2, Route 1 and Route 93 are major routes to Boston. She suggested putting the flyovers over Commerce Way or over the railroad tracks and dump the traffic onto the Mass Transit parking lot in Woburn that is not being used. She also suggested shutting down the off ramp to Burlington, eliminating the off ramp on 93 north and sending the traffic to Commerce Way. G 3 Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 24 2002 —Page 5 Rosemary Violante of 38 Walnut Street noted that people speed up and down Walnut Street to avoid the highways. When she asked Mass Highway about an alternate, she was told that the land was toxic and it would be too expensive. Charlie McDonald of 41 Canterbury Drive noted that he was fighting for a widow on Border Road. He also noted that in the letter that the Selectmen sent to the Commissioner, it states that the Town of Reading tries to notify residents directly. He wanted to know how many people were notified. The Town Manager noted that Anne Krieg sent out 125 letters. Bob Soli of 19 James Road noted that he sent a letter to the Chronicle. He urged the Board of Selectmen to have Town Counsel look at the contract for Edward & Kelcey. He also noted that they are suppose to consider all possible alternatives and they haven't, and there are right of way requirements. There will also be impacts of noise and economic. Harry Simmons of 17 Pine Ridge Road noted that the Town will be losing 77 home assessments forever, and the assessments have already dropped. He feels there are design alternatives. Richard Dennis of 9 MacIntosh Road indicated that he was upset with the Selectmen. He noted there will be 77 fewer tax bills. He wants an abatement on his house now because the value has already dropped one-third. Paul Missert of 97 Red Gate Lane noted that the Town should ask for a moratorium. He also noted that in 1962, the Governor called for a moratorium on super highway projects. He feels that we should all get together and push this to the Governor's Office and call for a moratorium. He noted that another way to beat Mass Highway is to contact the Federal Government; i.e., the EPA and Federal Transportation Department because they're sick of funding our projects. He recommended hiring an advocate organization called CLF (Conservation Law Foundation) who has expertise in going up against Mass Highway. Daria Niewenhous of 7 Pine Ridge Road noted that there is an Election coming up in the Fall. She urged the citizens to let the candidates know that we expect them to take a position before the Election. She asked if the Town has conducted any studies regarding the loss of revenue. The Town Manager noted that we have not done any studies because Mass Highway has not been forthcoming with information. Ruth Schubarth of 17 Sturgis Road noted that she has lived in Reading for 42 years. She feels cut through traffic is a problem, and wants the Board to get updated traffic data and also a report on the Route 3 reconstruction project. Bill Webster, a THAG member, asked the Board for their support and noted that the group is looking for additional people. A Sylvan Road resident asked why the Mass Highway meeting didn't take place in Reading. The Town Manager noted that he was aware of the meeting in October and he had the Town Planner attend. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 24, 2002 —Page 6 Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings noted that the design that was under discussion grew enormously from when they first saw it. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the four alternatives were basically the same. She also noted that the Board attended the meeting on Tuesday and a letter was drafted on Thursday. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that Mass Highway would not let Anne Krieg take any information home. Sharon Petersen of 25 Holly Road had concerns about trash and pollution. Joe Caruso of 30 Zachery Lane noted that the flyovers go over nothing but houses. He also noted that the Kohl's and Target stores give money to the State but homeowners don't. He suggested thinking twice about shopping at Kohl's and Target and then maybe they would help. He feels that we have to enlist the people with power and money. Charlie Stobbs of 98 Walnut Street noted that it is a supply and demand problem. Boston creates an uncontrolled demand and he feels that we should be providing industry in Reading. He also noted that Frugal Fannies is only open a couple of days a week and it is on very valuable land. Fire Fighter John Jenks of 15 Gleason Road questioned the accident statistics and noted that the Reading Fire Department is not at the Interchange every day. He also noted that this is a bad time to do a study because Route 3 is under construction and traffic is being funneled into this area. Tom Ryan of 87 Dana Road and Board of Assessor Member noted that the estimated value of the 77 homes is $24,640,000. Andrew Grimes, Finance Committee Member, noted that the Board of Selectmen is not the enemy — it is Mass Highway. He also noted that Mass Highway did a great job of hiding their plans. A Summit Towers resident noted that the residents need to get the legislators involved --they pay attention to the funding sources. Marianne Downey, a member of the no name group, cited instances in which citizen groups were able to stop projects. Brian Mahoney of 30 Ashley Place noted that Mass Highway has experience with tunnels. Tony Rickley of 95 Timberneck Drive noted that 50 years ago the State built Route 128 and that cut through the heart of Town. He also noted that the residents got the State to redo the plan, and the residents have to fight to make sure this project has the least impact. He noted that the problems are access to and egress from Route 128 and 93. Board of Selectmen Meeting-June 24, 2002-Page 7 - Selectman Gail Wood noted that the funding will not be only from Massachusetts -- it will be Federal too. Selectman George Hines noted that we need a citizens committee to work with the Selectmen. Chairman Camille Anthony designated Rich Schubert as the point person. Jim O'Rourke of 148 South Street asked if the no name group will be recognized by the Board of Selectmen. It was noted that they would and the Selectmen will write a letter for them to give to Mass Highway. A resident asked if the Selectmen need to authorize funds to hire counsel for a legal opinion. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings noted that the Town's rights are different from individual homeowners. The Board of Selectmen will meet next week to decide what steps will be taken. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to adjourn the meeting of June 24, 2002 at 10:20 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. R sp�,ctfully si4bmitte�l, Secretary Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 24, 2002 —Pa,.ee88 Board of Selectmen Meeting June 24, 2002 ISSUES/CONCERNS/QUESTIONS After hearing the comments at the meeting, there were several overriding themes. 1. A full range of alternatives needs to be investigated. 2. Communication/notification needs to be improved. 3. What impact will the interchange have on property values? 4. What impact will the loss of revenue have on the Town? 5. General agreement by the audience that the proposal is too large and results in too great an impact on the Town and residents. The following is a list of comments presented at the meeting_ 1. Footprint of interchange too large. Reducing the design speed of the Interchange will reduce the footprint. ............ 2. The loss of homes will result in lost revenue to the Town. 3. What kind of reduction in services/staff will result from lost revenue? 4. Other alternatives need to be considered. Use of Commerce Way and reconfiguring I-95/I-93 ramps suggested. 5. What is the role of the Board of Selectmen in this process? 6. Concern expressed regarding lack of notification by the Town/State. 7. The State needs to investigate smaller solutions using the existing ramps and current footprint. 8. Concern expressed regarding Edwards &Kelcey's compliance with terms of the Mass Highway contract. Exploration of all alternatives, location of property lines and noise issues not addressed. 9. What affect will the Interchange have on property values and what will the financial impact of that have on the Town? 10. Other alternatives meed to be explored. t Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 24, 2002—Page 9 11. Concern expressed over the success of flyovers in other locations. What data supports the use of flyovers? 12. Additional concerns expressed over communication/notification by the Town/State. 13. Additional concerns expressed over affect on property values/financial impact to Town. 14. Suggestion to lobby governor for a moratorium on highway construction/involve Federal Government to slow project down/hire advocate (Conservation Law Foundation) to fight project. 15. Suggestion to lobby gubernatorial candidates to take a position on the project. 16. What is the estimated tax loss to the Town? 17. Design is too large. 18. Town should obtain traffic data. 19. Where do we go from here? What role will the Town play in the future? What will the future process be? 20. What will the affect of the flyovers be (e.g., trash, debris, plowing, noise, etc.)? 21. Concern expressed over the taking of homes versus the taking of commercial properties. The commercial properties have power and the residential properties do not. 22. A question was raised concerning the validity of the accident data. What area does the accident data include? 23. Residents should get State legislators involved. 24. What will happen with the lane drop at Route 28? 25. Try to minimize impact while alleviating problems. 26. Look at full range of solutions—not just 1950's/60's highway solutions.