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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-07-23 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting July 23, 2002 The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, lb Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Camille Anthony, Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings, Secretary Richard Schubert, Selectmen George Hines (arrived 7:35 p.m.) and Gail Wood, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Fred Van Magness, Jr., George Farrell, Jeanette and James O'Rourke, Jeff Everson, Brian Mahoney, Don Allen, John Coote, Carla Abate, Audrey Doyle, Ellen Mounteer, Brad and Joanne Fuller, Barbara Boviard, John Wood. A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to litigation and approval of minutes to come back into Open Session at approximately 8:00 p.m. was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the affirmative. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 7:57 p.m. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Gail Wood noted that she attended a meeting of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. They are looking for members and also looking at commercial recycling. She also noted that the Water Department indicated that the Town's water use has been low. Selectman George Hines noted that some residents have voiced concerns about his ability to serve on the Route 128 Interchange Committee. He also noted that he does not work for Mass Highway and his motivation is for the best outcome for Reading. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she put cardboard out with her recycling and it was not picked up. She requested an update with visuals on recycling. She also noted that she met with Bill Griset regarding D.A.R.E. and he is looking into alternatives. Public Comments —Fred Van Magness Jr., a resident of One Charles Street and a member of the Trust, noted that there is rat infestation coming from Memorial Park and they have been trying to abate the problem; i.e., removal of trash and it has not helped the problem. He is requesting that the Town work with them to get rid of the pests. He also noted that this is an ongoing problem. The Health Administrator has been out to Memorial Park and the exterminator feels that the problem is at One Charles. The Town Manager noted that the Town is doing trapping near the basketball court. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ The RMLD Governance Advisory Committee is meeting on August 5, 2002. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 23, 2002—Page 2 ♦ The Town is in the process of converting all water meters to a radio frequency reading system to facilitate better and more timely reading of water meters. To date, we have installed almost 6900 meter remotes of a total of 7400 installs. There have been almost no problems or issues from customers. ♦ The Town, through the DPW and with CDM consultants, has completed the first phase of the sewer I/1 work in the pilot area. We will have a full report to the Board of Selectmen soon. We were able to get information from almost 75% of the households in the pilot area, and have discovered almost 30 sump pumps tied into the sanitary sewer system. We will be working with those property owners to develop a solution to get those sump pumps removed. We'll then go on to the next priority area of the Town until the entire Town is completed. ♦ The Town will be using this year's Chapter 90 funds to resurface Haverhill Street and construct the sidewalk on one side, from Timberneck to Camp Curtis Guild, in accordance with the Pavement Management Program recommendations. Work should be done this Fall. ♦ Summerfest is on August 1-3. Fireworks on Saturday night will be part of the program. ♦ The Rotary Club is sponsoring the Circus on July 29th in the Field House area. ♦ The Town has been approved for funding for technical assistance relative to the Johnson Woods (Longwood Poultry Farm) comprehensive permit application. The funding is up to $10,000, and the primary focus of the efforts will be on the Pro-Forma financial statements that were just received. . ♦ Reading, like a lot of communities, is experiencing rodent problems this year. Many are on and related to private property. Some are on public property and in those cases, the Health Division is handling the extermination and removal. This is an unbudgeted item that will eventually require additional funding. ♦ Anne Krieg, our Town Planner, is leaving Reading the end of August to take a position in Bar Harbor, Maine. We have advertised the position and have begun to receive resumes. I have asked a member of the CPDC and the Community Services liaison from the Board of Selectmen to work with me on screening and interviewing candidates. I would like to have a decision made and possibly have someone to start this position before Anne leaves. Personnel and Appointments Water and Sewer Advisory Committee — Selectman Gail Wood excused herself while the Board interviewed her husband. The Board interviewed John Wood for a position on the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. Schubert moved and Cummings seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2004: John Wood. Mr. Wood received four votes and was appointed. Discussion/Action Items Follow-Up on the Advanced Life Support — Fire Chief Greg Burns was present. The Town Manager noted that the Fire Chief had made a presentation about six months ago on the benefits of the community to provide ALS. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 23, 2002—Page 3 Chief Burns noted that ALS would allow a Fire Fighter to give more medication and treat more efficiently on a wider variety of situations. He reviewed the increase in pay, overtime, benefits and capital equipment. He also noted that the increased cost to the Town will not be higher than the increase in revenue. He noted that the Selectmen need to either choose a private provider where revenues will decline or put a system in place that we provide ourselves. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings asked if the medical control cost was fixed, and Chief Burns noted that it has to be negotiated with the hospital. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings also asked if any of this could be paid by the Hospital Trust Fund, and the Town Manager noted that it could be used for the indigent. The Town Manager noted that the Fire Chief has a grant application pending for $185,000 for capital and training. If the Board does want this, then there will be a change in the hiring practice. Selectman George Hines asked if we could back out in the future if the revenues aren't there. Chief Burns noted that if we stopped, we would have to negotiate with a private provider and there have been a number of issues with private providers. Selectman George Hines asked about bargaining issues, and the Town Manager noted that they would put language in an agreement regarding what would happen if we back out in the future. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to direct the Town Manager and Fire Chief to move forward to implement the ALS as opposed to the private vendor within a 12-18 month timeframe was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Affordable Housing — Governors Drive — Don Allen and John Coote from the Reading Housing Authority were present. The Town Manager noted that the Town has been talking for months regarding moving an existing house to Governor's Drive but the Housing Authority states that it won't work financially. The Town Manager noted that the property could be split into two 75 foot lots, and the Town could offer it for sale to a developer who would give one affordable unit to the Town. Don Allen noted that the Housing Authority's bid for the moving of a house and cost came in from$161,000 - $183,000 and the Housing Authority can't afford that. Selectman Gail Wood asked what the advantages of selling the land to the abutters would be, and the Town Manager noted that it would be less dollar value because they won't be building on it. Selectman Gail Wood indicated that she would like to sell a 10 foot — 20 foot strip of land to the abutters. The Town Manager noted that the Town Engineer recommends a drainage system so the water doesn't go on the neighbor's property. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 23, 2002—Page 4 Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings asked if we can deed restrict the property. The Town Manager noted that we can restrict as seller and participate in the LIP program. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings requested the Town Manager to get the fair market value assessment and also to assess a strip of land to sell to an abutter. Follow-Up Route 128/I-93 Interchange Meeting_— The Town Manager noted that the Board has to wait until after July 25th to appoint the members of the Committee. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that our questions haven't been answered yet. He recommends sending a letter to our legislators and meeting with the Boards of Selectmen from the surrounding towns including Wakefield. Carla Abate, the spokesperson for PRESERVE, asked if the information that was requested has been received. The Town Manager noted that Stan Wood indicated that they are working on it. He will have to go to Mass Highway and determine exactly what we want copies of. Carla Abate asked about the Board of Realtors' Meeting, The Town Manager noted that the Mass Highway Department made a presentation to the Association of Realtors. Their questions revolved around disclosure. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she received a phone call asking if the Town has the money to do engineering and she indicated that we do not. There was discussion about historical homes, scenic ways and ancient ways. The Board decided to have the legislators in for a meeting once the information requested has been received. The Board also decided to make appointments on July 30th after the Forum. Chapter 40B Proposal — Sanborn Lane — The Town Manager noted that Town received a letter from the New England Fund Bank regarding a proposed Chapter 40B development on Sanborn Lane. He also noted that this development previously went before the Conservation Commission and was denied. He has drafted a letter indicating that the Town has enough 40B applications and that this was previously denied by the Conservation Commission. Further Discussions on Debt Exclusions and Overrides — The Town Manager reviewed an outline of all debt exclusions. He noted that if an override question is going on the November ballot, then the Selectmen need to approve it by August 6, 2002. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings noted that he feels it should be on the Annual Election ballot so the residents can decide all at once -- not by piece meal. There was discussion among the Board regarding putting the question on the November ballot. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 23, 2002—Page 5 A motion by Hines seconded by Schubert to put a debt exclusion override on the November ballot in the amount of$3.5 million for road improvements was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Cummings opposed. Approval of Minutes A motion by Hines seconded by Schubert to approve the minutes of their meeting of June 11, 2002 was,approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Hines seconded by Schubert to approve the minutes of their meeting of June 18, 2002 was approved by a vote of 3-0-2 with Hines and Wood abstaining: A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to approve the minutes of their meeting of July 2, 2002 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Hines to approve the minutes of their meeting of July 9, 2002 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Hines to adjourn the meeting pf July 23, 2002 at 10:55 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted Secretary