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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-04-17 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting April 17, 2001 The meeting convened at 7:50 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman George Hines, Secretary Camille Anthony, Selectmen Matthew Cummings and Gail Wood, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Eric Coyne, Bill Hughes, Wayne Davis, Allan Ames, Tim Kelley, Diana LaVanches, Sumi Sinnatamby, Emily Maughan, Terrence Jones, Len Rucker, Paul Carson, Carol Shattuck, Rosalind Post, Mark O'Brien, LeeAnne Coyne, Carl McFaddeen, Debbie McCulley, Don Allen. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Vice Chairman George Hines noted that he attended an Adopt an Island Reception at the Senior Center this evening. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that there are two barrels at the Depot and two islands available for adoption. Selectmen Matthew Cummings and Gail Wood had no report. Public Comment—There was no public comment. - Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ He appointed two Police Officers --they are in the Academy now. ♦ The Town received a check for$130,000 from the Reading Ice Arena Association. ♦ Brush collection begins this week and will take about one month to complete. ♦ The Town Manager noted that during the flooding, there were 39 homes that had sewer backups. The predominant cause was people pumping into the sewer system. ♦ We have hada request for use of the Town Seal and he recommends approval. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to authorize the use of the Town Seal as requested was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. ♦ There was a tie write-in vote for Town Meeting Members in Precinct 2. Historically, tie votes were awarded alphabetically but the Charter needs to be amended because it doesn't deal with the issue. The Town Counsel recommends that the Selectmen select the winners until the Charter is amended. A motion by Anthony seconded by Wood to declare Beech and Burke the winners of Town Meeting seats in Precinct 2 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The Town Manager will have Town Counsel look at changing the Charter and what the process would be. Bade Pinning Fire Chief— Fire Chief Greg Burns and his family were present. Chief Burn's wife pinned on his badge. The Board of Selectmen congratulated Chief Burns. Board of Selectmen Meeting—Abril 17, 2001 —Page 3 Cummings moved and Wood seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the Human Relations Advisory Committee with terms expiring June 30, 2002: Paul Kelley, Emily Maughan, Charles McDonald, Margaret Soli and Edward Toland. Emily Maughan and Margaret Soli each received three votes and were appointed. Wood moved and Cummings seconded to place the following names into nomination for one position on the Human Relations Advisory Committee with terms expiring June 30, 2003: Paul Kelley, Diana LaVanches, Jamie Maughan, Philip Maher and Charles McDonald, Paul Kelley received three votes and was appointed. Wood moved and Cummings seconded to place the following names into nomination for one position on the Human Relations Advisory Committee with terms expiring June 30, 2004: Diana LaVanches, Jamie Maughan, Philip Maher, Charles McDonald and Edward Toland. Edward Toland received four votes and was appointed. Cummings moved and Anthony seconded to place the following name into nomination as the Board of Selectmen's designee on the Human Relations Advisory Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2003: Philip Maher. Hines moved and Wood seconded to add the name of Charles MacDonald to the motion. Phil Maher received three votes and was appointed. The School Committee representative and Police Chief representative remain vacant. RMLD Review of Storm Response — Light Department General Manager Len Rucker, Light Board Members Allen Ames and Bill Hughes, and Chief Engineer Paul Carson were present. Len Rucker noted that the major complaints during the blizzard were there were conflicting and confusing information -- residents disagreed with priorities; busy phone lines and residents never saw a truck. Trees caused most of the outages and there was also a transmission outage due to three towers collapsing. This meant there was no power to get to the customers. Paul Carson noted that it is hard to keep track of an outage when there is no power. Steps to correct these problems include adding six more phone lines and the lines have been changed to copper lines. A website will be put in place and six electrical maintenance technicians will be added at the cost of$1 million. Chairman George Hines asked if this would have an effect on rates, and Len Rucker noted that he did not see a rate increase through 2002. There was discussion about people with health problems, and it was noted that the RMLD participates in the Medi Alert Program. Carol Shattuck, a resident, asked if there was a line item for pruning trees. The Town Manager noted that the Parks and Forestry Division is responsible for removing dead trees and pruning for the health of trees. Len Rucker noted that the Light Department has three full-time crews for tree trimming, and most communities don't have that. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 17. 2001 —Page 5 Designation of Memorial Day Speakers— Chairman George Hines indicated that he will speak at Laurel Hill. The rest of the Selectmen will send an email by Friday to the Town Manager indicating their preference. Amending P & S Dickinson — The Town Manager reviewed the changes in the Purchase and Sales Agreement. The changes are due to the changes in the concept plan. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to approve the amendment to the Purchase and Sales Agreement dated April 17, 2001 for Walkers Brook Crossing with Dickinson Development was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to adjourn their meeting of April 17, 2001 at 11:10 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 and the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Secretary x