HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-08-13 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
August 13, 2002
The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings,
Selectmen George Hines and Gail Wood, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Town
Counsel Yvonne Gonzalez and Joan Langsam, and the following list of interested parties:
Jim Keigley, Ann Marie Rotondo.
On motion by Hines seconded by Wood, the Board of Selectmen voted to go into
Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the sale of real estate (landfill),
strategy with respect to litigation (Fraen) and approval of minutes to come back into
Open Session at approximately :00_p.m. On a roll call vote, all three members
voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried.
The Board reconvened from Executive Session at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman George Hines apologized for
not being available for the meeting last week, and accepted responsible for the meeting
being cancelled for lack of a quorum.
Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings took equal responsibility he was planning on
attending the meeting but was called out of town on business. He noted that the RMLD
Governance Advisory Committee met with Town Counsel this week and is making very
good progress.
Selectman Gail Wood asked if the letter from Stoneham to Mass Highway designating an
impact zone one mile from the Route 128/I-93 intersection was something the Town of
Reading should do. The Town Manager suggested that we should have Town Counsel
review whether this had any legal meaning, and also pass it by the Ad Hoc Advisory
Committee on the Route 128/1-93 Interchange.
Personnel & Appointments
RTAC — Jim Keigley was interviewed for a position on the Reading Telecommunications
and Technology Advisory Committee (RTAC). Mr. Keigley noted that he is a member of
the RCTV Board of Directors. Selectman George Hines asked the Town Manager if that
was a conflict and the Town Manager indicated that there was no legal conflict between
the two.
On motion by Wood seconded by Hines, the Board voted to place the following
name into nomination for one position on the Reading Telecommunications and
Technology Advisory Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2004: James
Keiglev. Mr. Keigley received three votes and was appointed.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 13, 2002 —Page 2
Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation
Certificates of Appreciation — Past Volunteers - On motion by Hines seconded by
Wood, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the Certificates of Appreciation for
William Hancock, Ann Marie Rotondo, Cathv Kosta, John Costigan and John
Corbett who had served on various Boards Committees and Commissions for at
least five years and were now going off that body. The motion was approved by
vote of 3-0-0.
Discussion/Action Items
Hearing on Speed Regulations —Willow Street— Selectman George Hines read the notice
of the hearing. The Town Manager explained that Mass Highway had approved posting
the speed limit for 30 miles per hour for the entirety of Willow Street, and had
recommended 20 miles an hour advisory underneath a "dip" sign 200 feet on each side of
the railroad tracks. The 20 miles an hour advisory sign does not need approval from the
Board of Selectmen.
There being no public comment, on motion by Hines seconded by Wood, the Board
voted to close the hearing on speed regulations on Willow Street by a vote of 3-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Wood, the Board voted to establish the following
speed limits:
Willow Street—Northbound—Beginning at the junction of Summer
Avenue, thence northerly on Willow Street 0.52 miles at 30 miles per
hour ending at the junction of Lowell Street (Route 129); the total
distance being 0.52 miles
Willow Street—Southbound—Beginning at the junction of Lowell
Street (Route 129), thence southerly on Willow Street 0.52 miles at
30 miles per hour ending at the junction of Summer Avenue; the
total distance being 0.52 miles
The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Selectman George Hines noted that a letter from Linda Phillips was in support of the
proposal.
Closing Warrant—State Primary - On motion by Wood seconded by Hines, the Board
voted to close the Warrant for the State Primary Election to be held on September
17, 2002 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hawkes Field House, 62 Oakland Road.
The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Selectman George Hines asked if the School Department was doing anything with regard
to the Election day. The Town Manager noted that we did not expect a large turnout for
the Primary Election but would ask for the cooperation of the schools for both that day
and for the State Election day in November.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—Auszust 13, 2002 —Paize 3
Approval of Minutes
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On motion by Wood seconded by Hines, the Board voted to approve the minutes of
their meeting of July 23, 2002 by a vote of 3-0-0.
On motion by Wood seconded by Hines the Board voted to approve the minutes of
their meeting of July 30, 2002 by a vote of 3-0-0.
Selectman George Hines suggested, particularly since the Certificates of Appreciation for
past volunteers cannot be presented directly to the volunteers because they were not
present, that copies of the Certificates be included in the Minutes.
The Town Manager reported on the status of the Parking Enforcement Officer, and the
results of the approval of the State Budget and its impact on Reading.
On motion by Hines seconded by Wood, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn
their meeting of August 13, 2002 at 9:00 p.m. by a vote of 3-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,t
"Ir Nii
Secretary