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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-06-12 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting June 12, 2001 The meeting convened at 7:35 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 (arrived at 8:00 p.m.), Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Personnel Administrator Carol Roberts, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Finance Director Beth Klepeis, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Sandra Michaud, David H. Bryant, Alan D. Beaulieu, Jim Nugent, Dale Marie Merrill, Dave Libassi, Leone Sullivan, Elizabeth Cronin, John O'Neill, Don Allen, John Coote, Mike Holmes, David Robideaux, Tony Delsignore, Attorney Josh Latham, Attorney Brad Latham, Alan Melkonian, Betty Guptill. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he talked with the Finance Committee Chairman regarding scheduling a Financial Forum for direction on the RMHS project. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the Community Preservation Act Study Committee met on Thursday. They would like to have a televised meeting -- they will be coming before the Selectmen on July 10, 2001. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that a Green Street resident stopped by her house and asked that the Selectmen revisit the issue of residents having to pay to park in front of their house. Chairman George Hines noted that he was also contacted by the Green Street resident and this will be scheduled for discussion on a future agenda. He acknowledged the success of the RMHS Athletic Division this year. He received a phone call from a George Street resident whose neighbor put up an eight foot chain link fence. Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean noted that fences are not regulated in the Zoning By-Laws --they are part of the building code. Selectman Gail Wood noted that she was visited by the same Green Street resident regarding paying to park in front of his house. She also received a phone call from the George Street resident regarding the fence. She attended a Cemetery Board of Trustees Meeting and a School Committee Meeting, and also attended the ZBA Meeting regarding Beacon Street. They would not consider the Fire Department's letter because nobody from the Fire Department was present to address the issues. The Town Engineer wants to hire an outside Engineer at the developer's expense. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ The Reading Business Park — AKA Walkers Brook Crossing process continues. We have a second neighborhood meeting on June 20. ♦ The Board of Selectmen has a proposed letter of support in front of it for the PWED application for the Walkers Brook Crossing project. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 12, 2001 —Page 2 ♦ The Town has received a new computer and software for the Community Bulletin Board on Channel 22. It is now in use. The sponsor is KD Computer and their sponsorship is noted on one of the pages of the Bulletin Board. ♦ Several street construction projects are in progress using money from previous Chapter 90 allocations from the State. ♦ Neighborhood meetings were held last week on the Union Street Neighborhood Improvement project which should move forward this July, and the Mill Street sidewalk issue which will require further work, mostly in the way of funding and application for scenic road approval this Fall. ♦ The Symonds Way recreation facility is mostly completed and is being well utilized. The Town has received a donation for the installation of a new scoreboard as part of the construction of the new athletic facility, and the scoreboard has been delivered. The donation is from FORA. ♦ I have hired a replacement Fire Fighter, and made a promotion of a Fire Captain and Lieutenant (will be announced tomorrow). ♦ I have hired a new Elder/Human Services Administrator, and will announce her appointment once all pre-employment matters are completed. ♦ I have 2 applications for the Town's MBTA representative and I will be doing interviews shortly. ♦ The MWRA sewer budget is $100,000 less than what was proposed. ♦ The State aid figures are about $500,000 lower than what was anticipated. A Financial Forum was recommended. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked if there will be a Special Town Meeting and the Town Manager noted that there will. ♦ DPW has finished the brush cleanup -- it was a job well done. -' Signing of Bond Anticipation Notes — Finance Director Beth Klepeis was present. She was asking for the Board of Selectmen approval and signature for the Bond Anticipation Notes for Marion Woods and the Downtown Streetscape. A motion by Wood seconded by Cummings to approve the issuance, sale and delivery of $236,000 Bond Anticipation Notes (BANS) and $86,732 State Aid Anticipation Notes (SAANS) for the Town of Reading. Said BANS and SAANS shall be dated June 20, 2001 and shall mature on January 11, 2002 with interest payable at maturity. Said BANS and SAANS shall be issued through the Bureau of Accounts in the form of one Note for each borrowing. The Board of Selectmen approves the acceptance of the bids of 3.59 % interest rate per annum from Unibank for the $236,000 and 3.48 % interest rate per annum from Fleet Bank for the $ 86,732 was discussed and approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Personnel and Appointments Board of Health— Jim Nugent was interviewed by the Board of Selectmen for reappointment to the Board of Health. Anthony moved and Cummings seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Board of Health with a term expiring June 30, 2004: James J. Nugent, Jr. Mr. Nugent received five votes and was appointed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 12, 2001 —Page 3 Council on Aginiz — The Board interviewed Elizabeth Cronin and John O'Neill for positions on the Council on Aging. Anthony moved and Cummings seconded to place the following names into nomination for three positions on the Council on Aging with terms expiring June 30, 2004: G. Gay Williams, Elizabeth Cronin and John F. O'Neill. All three applicants received five votes each and were appointed. Housing Authority — The Board interviewed Don Allen and John Coote for positions on the Housing Authority. It was noted that Mr. Allen is up for reappointment and he is appointed by the State. Anthony moved and Cummings seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Housing Authority with a term expiring June 30, 2003: John A. Coote. Mr. Coote received five votes and was appointed. Recreation Committee — The Board interviewed Alan Beaulieu and Dave Bryant for reappointment to the Recreation Committee. Schubert moved and Anthony seconded to place the following names into nomination for three positions on the Recreation Committee with terms expiring June 30, 2004: Alan Beaulieu, David H. Bryant and Claire Bolger. All three applicants received five votes each and were appointed. Anthony moved and Schubert seconded to place the following names into nomination for two Associate positions on the Recreation Committee with terms expiring June 30, 2002: Catherine Kaminer and Lorraine Salter. Ms. Kaminer and Ms. Salter received five votes each and were appointed. Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee — The Board interviewed Sandra Michaud, Dale Marie Merrill, Dave Libassi and Leone Sullivan for positions on the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee. Anthony moved and Schubert seconded to place the following names into nomination for five positions on the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council with terms expiring June 30, 2004: Sandra J. Michaud, Dale Marie Merrill, David Libassi, Leone Sullivan and Karyn Storti. All five applicants received five votes each and were appointed. Discussion/Action Items Sig_nin of Fire Fighter Contract — Personnel Administrator Carol Roberts, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Fire Fighters Mike Holmes, David Robideaux and Tony Delsignore were present. The Town Manager noted that the Fire Fighters wanted a three year contract. The economics are 2% in FY02, 2.5% in FY03 and 2.5% in FY04. Hearin— Packaize Store Liquor License — The Wine Shop of Reading, 676 Main Street. The } Secretary read the hearing notice. Attorney Josh Latham noted that the legal notice was faulty so - he was withdrawing their request. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 12, 2001 —Page 4 A motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings to close the hearing for a package store liquor -- license for The Wine Shop of Reading at 676 Main Street was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to dismiss the application without prejudice was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing — Class 3 Motor Vehicle License — North Reading Auto and Recon, Inc. d/b/a Gray's Towing, 4 Minot Street — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Attorney Brad Latham and Alan Melkonian were present. Attorney Latham noted that the license will be used in conjunction with the towing service, and the Melkonian family had the first Ford dealership in Reading. The Board discussed concerns regarding cars parked on the sidewalk and in areas subject to Conservation jurisdiction and the overall condition of the site. There was also discussion about sign violations. Betty Guptill, the current owner, noted that the vehicles in question belong to the former tenant and nobody from the Town has ever contacted her or her husband. They have given notice to their tenant regarding the sign violations. Chairman George Hines asked if the license will be surrendered if the transaction does not go through. Attorney Latham noted that it would. Alan Melkonian noted that this facility will be used as a support facility. He has no intention to try to sell used cars. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to close the hearing for a Class 3 Motor Vehicle License for North Reading Auto and Recon, Inc. d/b/a Gray's Towing, 4 Minot Street was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to approve the Class 3 Motor Vehicle License for North Reading Auto and Recon, Inc. d/b/a Gray's Towing, 4 Minot Street was discussed. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to amend the main motion by adding the condition that the site meet the regulations of State, Local and Conservation Environmental Bylaws was defeated by a vote of 1-4-0, with Hines, Cummings, Schubert and Wood voting in the negative. The main motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Charter Amendments — The Town Manager noted that the Charter amendment would be to determine how to fill seats when there is a tie vote. The majority of Town Meeting Members prefer to have the Town Meeting Precinct select the successful write-in candidate. The Board directed the Town Manager to prepare a Warrant Article for Town Meeting to allow for the Precinct to select the successful write-in candidate. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 12, 2001 —Page 5 Summer Meeting Schedule — The Board decided to meet on July 10, July 24, August 7 and August 21. Approval of Minutes A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to approve the minutes of their meeting of May 22, 2001, as amended, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to approve the minutes of their meeting of June 5, 2001 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to litigation (Fraen), sale of real estate (landfill), labor negotiations and approval of minutes not to come back into Open Session was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. Res ectfully submitted, 1 7F 8 Secretary Board of Selectmen Meeting Executive Session June 12,2001 The Executive. Session convened at 10:45 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 and Paula Schena. Litigation — Fraen — The Town Manager noted that he has been working with Peter Fuller to settle. The Board had previously authorized $25,000 to settle. They want $25,000 and pave the parking lot which is another$25,000. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to approve the $25,000 for paving to be done the second year, was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. Sale of Real Estate — The Town Manager received a letter from Michael Sophocles noting that Danis wants all references to the bypass taken out of the Master Plan and PUD for Dickinson. The Board directed the Town Manager to write a letter to Danis noting that the Master Plan needs to be updated and that will be included when the updating is done. The Town Manager noted that Dickinson is requesting a letter from the Town indicating that the Town will be responsible for dredging if the DEP mandates a clean up. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to direct the Town Manager to send a letter to Dickinson noting that the Town will be responsible for dredging with the proviso that only at the direction of the DEP, was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. Labor Negotiations - The Town Manager updated the Board of Selectmen on the Patrolman and Dispatcher negotiations. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn the meeting of June 12, 2001 at 11:35 p.m. The motion was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. Respectfully submitted, Secretary