Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05-08 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting May 8,2001 The meeting convened at 7:37 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Matthew Cummings, Selectmen Richard Schubert and Gail Wood, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Clerk Cheryl Johnson, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Police Chief Robert Silva, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Karen Flammia, Bill Brown, Dick Monroe, Tim Kelley, Don Allen, Bob Sweet, Eric Coyne, Jacqui Carson, Kevin Connif. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Vice Chairman Camille Anthony requested that the departments provide a list of their most important services, and a detailed breakdown of projects that Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean is working on. Selectman Rick Schubert asked about Reading's involvement in the Inwood Office Park. The Town Manager noted that the Town of Reading will get a check for $245,000 for traffic mitigation when the first building is built. The Town of Reading will also be the first response for police and fire. Chairman George Hines directed the Town Manager to negotiate fees with the developer for police and fire response. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that a decision needs to be made regarding Town Meeting action on trash. This will be put on an agenda in July. Public Comment— Resident Bill Brown noted that Woburn had the same concerns with Inwood Office Park. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ The joint hearing of CPDC and CONSCOM on the Reading Business Park— AKA Walkers Brook Crossing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 16th, at the Senior Center at 7:30 p.m. ♦ There will be a publicly noticed site visit and presentation by the purchasers of the Addison- Wesley site on Monday, May 14th' at 6:00 p.m. at the site. ♦ Ladder 1 needs to have its radiator recored and this could take approximately one week. We have borrowed a ladder truck from Medford—it's old but will do the job. ♦ Fire Chief Greg Burns has submitted our application for reimbursement for blizzard expenses to MEMA. They anticipate sending out a check before the end of June. We are looking for reimbursement of approximately $85,000, plus whatever reimbursement RMLD may be eligible for. ♦ I have set the first meeting of the Community Preservation Act Study Committee for next Tuesday, May 15th, and the Human Relations Advisory Committee for next Thursday, May 17th, in order to get these two committees started in their work. ♦ At 6:30 on Wednesday evening, May 9, 2001, the Human Services Division of Elder/Human Services is holding a Volunteer Recognition Reception. Board of Selectmen Meeting—MU 8, 2001 —Page 3 Housing Authority Member Karen Flammia noted that the Housing Authority's sole mission is to develop affordable housing in Reading. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Selectmen Gail Wood and Rick Schubert indicated that they support giving this to the Housing Authority. Chairman George Hines directed the Town Manager to place this on another agenda to craft the language with the Housing Authority. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to table the subject matter pending further review was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing — Approval of Compensation Plan — Non-Union Employ — Secretary Matthew Cummings read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that this is an annual duty of the Selectmen. The overall plan increases by 2%, and there has been no changes as to where people are placed. A motion by Wood seconded by Cummings to close the hearing on the approval of the FY 2002 Compensation Plan for non-union employees was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to approve the FY 2002 Compensation Plan for non- union employees was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing—Water and Sewer Rates — Secretary Matthew Cummings read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that this is an annual right for the Selectmen to establish the water and sewer rates. Public Works Director Ted McIntire summarized the information in the packet. He noted that in order to generate $2.4 million, we have to bill out $2.7 million. The Water and Sewer Advisory Committee recommends keeping the water rate at $3.56/100 cubic feet. Chairman George Hines noted that it is difficult to have a 0% increase when fuel, electricity, etc. are increasing. Selectman Gail Wood noted that the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee is looking to keep the rate stable. The Town is authorized to use$250,000. Selectman Matthew Cummings recommends working the increase in now to mitigate future expenses because capital is going up. The Town Manager noted that the water rate could be set higher because the sewer will be dropping. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked about setting aside money in an emergency fund to help with cleanup of sewer backups. It was noted that a separate fund would not be necessary. Ted McIntire noted that the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee recommends setting the f� sewer rate at$5.15/100 cubic feet. Board of Selectmen Meeting—MU 8, 2001 —Page 5, Anthony moved and Schubert seconded to approve the filing of a grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice for funding of a School Resource Officer. There was discussion among the Board as to the duties of this Officer; whether or not there should be an armed Officer in the schools and where would the money would come from. A motion by Hines seconded by Wood to amend the main motion making it contingent on the School Department funding 50% of the cost was approved by a vote of 3-2-0, with Anthony and Schubert opposed. The main motion as amended was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Cummings opposed. A motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings to consider 5g and 5h on the agenda was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Precinct Redistricting—Town Clerk Cheryl Johnson was present and reviewed the changes. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to approve the realignment of precincts as submitted on May 8, 2001 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Water and Sewer Tie-In 31 Kilmarnock Street — The Town Manager noted that the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee recommends approval. Kevin Connif was present representing the developer and reviewed the request. A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to approve an extension of the existing water main and allow sewer tie-in on Grove Street westerly to service the proposed dwelling at 31 Kilmarnock Street, and the existing dwelling on the southerly side of Kilmarnock Street, Wilmington, MA., subject to the conditions that: 1. The contractor will fully restore the full width of the road to existing conditions; 2. The portions of the street in Wilmington will be renamed Grove Street and the properties . in question will be renamed accordingly. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Liaison Assignments — Chairman George Hines made the following liaison assignments: Camille Anthony — Library and Public Safety; Matt Cummings — School Department and RMLD; Gail Wood — Public Works and Human Services; Rick Schubert — Community Development and Housing Authority; George Hines — Finance & Accounting and General Services. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to adjourn their meeting of May 8, 2001 at 11:25 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary