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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05-22 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting May 22, 2001 The meeting convened at 8:20 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, Assistant_Town Manager Russell Dean, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: W. J. Hughes Jr., Vinnie Cameron Jr., Daniel Halloran, Allan Ames, Len Rucker, Phil Pacino. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to litigation (Video Expo), labor negotiations (Fire Fighters), sale of real estate (Landfill), and approval of minutes to come back into Open Session at approximately 7:55 p.m, was approved with all members voting in the affirmative on a roll call vote. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Resorts and Comments - Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she attended the Library House Tour and noted that the Foster Emerson House was great. Secretary Matthew Cummings noted that he attended the School Committee Meeting last night and the School Resource Officer was not on the list. Selectman Gail Wood noted that she attended the Volunteer Recognition Reception. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the Board of Selectmen are being given a Historic Preservation Award from the Historical Commission for the Foster Emerson House, The PUD for Walkers Brook Crossing has been filed. He attended the Addison-Wesley presentation by the potential buyer. The CPA Study Committee met. The Coolidge Middle School Science Team placed 7th out of 53 in Colorado. Chairman George Hines noted that he and Selectman Rick Schubert met with Representative Paul Casey in his office yesterday regarding finances. Public Comment—There was no public comment. 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 took place on Wednesday. ♦ There was a site visit and presentation by the purchasers of the Addison-Wesley site on Monday, May 14th' at the site. ♦ The first meeting of the Community Preservation Act Study Committee was on Tuesday, th May 15 Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 22, 2001 —Page 3 Discussion/Action Items Confirmation of Chairman — Ad Hoc Community Preservation Act Study Committee - The Town Manager noted that the policy states that the Selectmen will designate the Chairman. A motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings to designate Kim Honetschlager Chairman of the Ad Hoc Community Preservation Act Study Committee was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. RMLD Presentation on Power Supply — The Town Manager noted that Secretary Camille Anthony requested this due to concerns about power supply. Light Board Members Allen Ames, Phil Pacino, Bill Hughes, Dan Halloran, RMLD General Manager Len Rucker and Vinnie Cameron from the Light Department were present. Vinnie Cameron noted that the RMLD power supply is diversified. They have 11 suppliers and the fuel includes nuclear, coal, gas and hydro from Canada, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. He also noted that all of New England is interconnected, an Independent System Operator runs the New England pool system, and two new power stations will be going on-line in 2002. RMLD General Manager Len Rucker reviewed the California situation. He noted that the cost of supplying power in California went from $32.00 in 2000 to $278.00 in 2001 but the power companies were capped as to what they could charge customers. California had a hot Summer last year. The price of natural gas increased and gas is widely used in power plants. The hydropower in the Northwest was cut by 50% due to drought. Also, no new power plants have been built in California in the last 10 years. The Board thanked the Light Department for their presentation. Execution of Release of Gravel Rights — Grove Street — The Town Manager noted that the agreement has been reviewed and approved by Town Counsel. The gravel rights will be released lot by lot. CPDC has approved execution of the agreement with the funds going into the trust fund. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to approve the "Agreement to Release Gravel Rights/Foster Circle Definitive Subdivision" and Exhibit A Release of Rights to Gravel for each of the five lots in this development was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Review FY 2002 Budget Implementation — The Town Manager noted that some of the budget reductions require no action. The major changes are due to the elimination of the Assistant Town Manager's position. The Town Manager also noted that he will assume the Department Head function; the Town Planner and Town Engineer will assume major responsibility for the landfill sale and closure; DPW will assume the entire water supply project; the budget preparation will be assumed by the Finance Director and Town Accountant; Town Counsel will be used as the procurement authority; licensing will be done by the Town Manager; the Personnel Administrator will assist with collective bargaining and Department Heads will fill the role of Acting Town Manager when needed. Board of Selectmen Meeting Executive Session May 22, 2001 The Executive Session convened at 7:39 p.m. in the Conference 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 Counsel Joan Langsam and Paula Schena. Litigation Video Expo —Town Counsel Joan Langsam noted that she has a proposal from Video Expo that they want to put signs in the windows but they will not use any of the words defined as "sexual conduct" in the Massachusetts General Laws in their advertisement. She indicated to them that the Town prefers that they continue as is but they want to advertise. The Town will get out of paying their attorney fees of approximately $125,000-$135,000. She is asking for authorization to settle. The Zoning Officer will go in and take pictures for comparison reasons. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to enter into a stipulation to settle was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. Labor Negotiations Fire Fi,hters — The Town Manager noted that he wants authorization to sign the contract. The Fire Fighters are scheduled to ratify the contract on May 24, 2001. A motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings to approve the contract between the Town of Reading and the Reading Fire Fighter's Association expiring June 30, 2004, and authorize the Town Manager to sign the contract on behalf of the Town; subject to the Union ratifying the contract within 15 days of this date in substantially the form reviewed by the Board of Selectmen on this date was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. Sale of Real Estate Landfill — The Town Manager noted that Home Depot has been assigned to the agreement. Home Depot and Jordan's Furniture are requesting that the Town sign a letter acknowledging that any DEP mandated clean up of hazardous substances that may now exist in the sediment in Walkers Brook is the Town's responsibility. Approval of Minutes A motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings to approve the Executive Session minutes of February 6, 2001 was approved on a roll call vote with Hines, Anthony, Cummings and Schubert voting in the affirmative and Wood abstaining. A motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings to approve the Executive Session minutes of February 13, 2001 was approved on a roll call vote with Hines, Anthony, Cummings and Schubert voting in the affirmative and Wood abstaining.