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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-03-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting March 27, 2001 The meeting convened at 7:35 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Matthew Nestor, Vice Chairman George Hines, Selectmen Sally Hoyt and Matthew Cummings, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Gerry MacDonald, Mary Ellen Becker, Ben Nichols, Bob Nordstrand, Steve Sliwoski, Tom Garceau, Kathy Welsh, Dick Ellis. A motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt to go into Executive Session for the purpose of strategy regarding labor negotiations to come back into Open Session at approximately 8:00 p.m. was approved on a roll call vote of 4-0-0. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 8:15 p.m. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - Selectman Sally Hoyt thanked the voters of Reading for allowing her to serve, She is retiring after 30 years of service to the Town. Chairman Matthew Nestor thanked everyone for all of their hard work. Vice Chairman George Hines noted that he is working as an individual on the "yes" campaign. He also noted that additional taxes can be a hardship but there is no wasted money in the budgets. He attended an Eagle Scout presentation. Public Comment — Steve Sliwoski of 18 Larch Lane noted that his basement filled up with sewerage during the storm. He is looking for a financial reimbursement. The Town Manager noted that there were three or four areas of the community that had sewerage discharging. There was a huge amount of inflow in the system because the sump pumps were draining into the system. The insurance company views this as an "Act of God" and will not pay claims. The Town is offering bulk waste stickers to residents who had items damaged from water and/or sewerage. A list of names and addresses have been collected and given to FEMA. Tom Garceau of 219 Grove Street indicated that he also had a sewerage back up and asked if this has ever happened before. The Town Manager noted that it has but not in this area of Town. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ The Town has been approved for a grant in the amount of$242,467 from the Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation under their Waste to Energy Grant Program for reimbursement for some of the Town of Reading's costs for retro-fitting the RESCO plant in Saugus. The funds will be paid out approximately as follows: Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 27, 2001 —Page 2 FY 2001 —50% less contingency - $97,500 FY 2002—25% - $60,750 FY 2003 —25% - $60,750 ♦ The Police Chief Assessment Center has been completed. I have one more interview to do this week, and will then be in a position to make an appointment for the Board of Selectmen to consider. ♦ I have assigned our Advanced Life Support contract to Action Ambulance. ♦ The Town has survived two of mother nature's worst efforts —a major blizzard 2 weeks ago, and major rain on top of snow accumulation last week. To assist residents, we are doing the following: • The names, addresses and phone numbers of all residents who we know needed help in the rain storms have been turned over to FEMA, and FEMA should be contacting them very soon. There may be financial assistance to residents. In addition, there is a citizen hotline that FEMA has set up — 1-800-392-6090 — the number is on the Channel 22 Bulletin Board. • We will be opening the Compost Center this Saturday, and it will be open every day for at least a couple of weeks. Residents will need a Community Access Sticker available at the Police Station, and they will be sold at the Compost Center during the early days of operation. • We will be picking up storm damaged branches curbside starting the week of April 17. Please — storm related damage only. We will be going throughout the Town only once. Residents who have had storm damage to home contents—usually basement water and/or sewer backup, may get bulk stickers from DPW at no cost— at Town Hall from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also, Bulk Waste Collection Week will be the week of May 7th, if residents want to plan on that event. ♦ On the Budget front: • Bids for rubbish collection and recycling have come in$11,000 under estimate; • The MBTA assessment is $6100 less than estimate; • The recently sold BAN's are a little bit lower interest rate than estimated; I would not recommend spending these savings but rather would suggest utilizing less free cash that we initially estimated—we will need our free cash to balance this year and provide minimal support for next year. ♦ Elections are next Tuesday at the Hawkes Field House—from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. There is plenty of on site parking. ♦ We have had an offer of the donation of a house—not on a lot— to the Town for affordable housing purposes. I am meeting with the Planner and the Conservation Administrator along with the Housing Authority Executive Director to evaluate lands that were identified as being possible affordable housing sites. Board of Selectmen Meetinz—March 27, 2001 —Page 3 Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Proclamation — Young Women's League of Reading — A motion by Cummings seconded by Hines to approve a Proclamation in honor of the Young Women's League of Reading's 50 years of services was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Consideration of Sale of Map 68, Lot 6, to Reading Open Land Trust — Land Bank Committee Chairman Ben Nichols and Bob Nordstrand were present. The Town Manager,noted that the Reading Open Land Trust is interested in accepting the land free of charge but the Open Land Trust will pay transfer or recording fees not to exceed$500. Vice Chairman George Hines asked if the Conservation Commission concurs. The Town Manager noted they have verbally but not in written form. A motion by Cummings seconded by Hoyt to donate Map 68, Lot 6 to the Reading Open Land Trust was discussed. Hines moved and Nestor seconded to amend the main motion by adding "contingent on review of the Conservation Commission." The Board discussed adding a time certain. The motion to donate Map 68, Lot 6 to the Reading Open Land Trust contingent on the review of the Conservation Commission within 30 days was approved by a vote of 3-1-0, with Cummings opposed. SWAC Presentation of"Hidden Treasures" — Solid Waste Advisory Committee Members Bob Brown and Mary Ellen Becker were present. Bob Brown noted that the Board of Selectmen are receiving a copy of the "Hidden Treasures" before it is mailed out to the residents. The Board thanked the Solid Waste Advisory Committee for their hard work. Review of Parking, Union Street — Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he has received calls from residents on Union Street about on street parking during the Winter. The Town Manager noted that parking was allowed on one side of the street this Winter. Kathy Welsh of 29 Union Street noted that she couldn't back out of her driveway because of the cars parked on the street and people shoveled snow into the street. She also noted that residents from Salem and John Streets are parking on Union Street. She is requesting no parking on the street in the Winter. Dick Ellis of 28 Union Street complained about out of State vehicles, and noted that there was a hearing regarding moving a pole for more parking spaces for one of the homes. He questioned the legality of the multifamily homes on Union Street. The Town Manager noted that there will be a neighborhood meeting in April regarding the neighborhood improvements. He will follow up on the zoning enforcement and next Winter, there will be no on street parking allowed. Approval of Sale of Bond Anticipation.Notes—The Town Manager noted that the BANS are for the architect and design work for the new school. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 27, 2001 —Page 4 A motion by Cummings seconded by Hines to approve the issuance, sale and delivery of $450,000 Bond Anticipation Notes (BANS) for the Town of Reading. Said BANS shall be dated April 4, 2001 and shall mature on January 11, 2002 with interest payable at maturity. Said BANS shall be issued through the Bureau of Accounts in the form of a Note. The Board of Selectmen approved the acceptance of the bid of Century Bank with an interest rate of 3.78% -- and designates State Street Bank and Trust Company as Note Registrar, Transfer Agent and Paying Agent by a vote of 4-0-0. Town Manager's Evaluation — Chairman Matthew Nestor summarized the Town Manager's evaluation. Vice Chairman George Hines noted that the Town Manager received very high marks. Review Warrant Annual Town Meeting — The Town Manager reviewed the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. A motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt to support the subject matter of Article 5 of the April 23, 2001 Annual Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt to support the subject matter of Article 6 of the April 23, 2001 Annual Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt to support the subject matter of Article 9 of the April 23, 2001 Annual Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt to support the subject matter of Article 12 of the April 23, 2001 Annual Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt to support the subject matter of Article 13 of the April 23, 2001 Annual Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt to support the subject matter of Article 15 of the April 23, 2001 Annual Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt to support the subject matter of Article 21 of the April 23, 2001 Annual Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The Town Manager will schedule a hearing on fees; add a written report on water to Article 2; find out if we can arbitrage Chapter 90 funds and complete the CIP and budget transfers. Approval of Minutes A motion by Cummings seconded by Hoyt to approve the minutes of their meeting of January 9, 2001 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Hines to approve the minutes of their meeting of January 16, 2001 was approved by a vote of 3-0-1, with Hoyt abstaining. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 27, 2001 —Page_5 A motion by Cummings seconded by Hines to approve the minutes of their meeting of January 17, 2001 was approved by a vote of 3-0-1, with Hoyt abstaining. A motion by Cummings seconded by Hines to approve the minutes of their meeting of January - 23, 2001 was approved by a vote of 3-0-1, with Hoyt abstaining. A motion by Hines seconded by Cummings to approve the minutes of their meeting of January 30, 2001, as amended, was approved by a vote of 3-0-1, with Hoyt abstaining. A motion by Hines seconded by Cummings to approve the minutes of their meeting of February 6, 2001 was approved by a vote of 3-0-1, with Hoyt abstaining. A motion by Hines seconded by Cummings to approve the minutes of their meeting of February 13, 2001 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Hines seconded by Cummings to approve the minutes of their meeting of February 27, 2001 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Hoyt seconded by Cummings to approve the minutes of their meeting of March 20, 2001 was approved by a vote of 3-0-1,with Hoyt abstaining. A motion by Cummings seconded by Hines to adjourn their meeting of March 27, 2001 at 10:40 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 and the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Secretary