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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-07-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting July 24, 2001 The meeting convened at 7:30 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, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Town Planner Anne Krieg, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Kathy Greenfield, Nancy Eaton, Benjamin Nichols, Attorney Brad Latham, Troy Sebels, Fire Captain Paul Guarino, Fire Lieutenant David Ballou. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he attended a Reading Municipal Light Board Meeting. They are looking into having their meetings televised. Selectman Gail Wood noted that she attended a Solid Waste Advisory Committee Meeting regarding Pay-As-You-Throw. She also attended a meeting regarding private funding of flowers for veteran's graves. She received the Ipswich River Watershed Report Card, and requested that the issue of watering on odd/even days be put on a future Selectmen's agenda. Selectman Richard Schubert attended a meeting of the Community Preservation Act Study Committee and noted that there will be a public input session on August 9, 2001. Selectman Camille Anthony asked about the 25% design hearing on South Main Street. The Town Manager will follow up. Chairman George Hines noted that he and the Town Manager delivered a PWED application to the Secretary of Transportation in Boston. The Selectmen need to hold a public hearing on this issue. Public Comment — Attorney Brad Latham and Troy Sebels, the appointed Director of the Stoneham Theater, were present. They spoke about the Stoneham Theater which is a regional theater. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ West Nile Virus prevention is taking place through the use of briquettes placed in catch basins throughout the Town. DPW personnel are licensed and trained in this operation. The funding comes from the Health Division budget. ♦ The Compost Center is open on Mondays at least during July and August, utilizing Senior Tax/Work Program participants. Hours are 8:00 a.m. `til 2:30 p.m. ♦ We have a major HVAC problem at the Police Station. The building is almost new and we have gone back to the contractor to get the problems remedied. We had a meeting last week Y with all parties—the air conditioning is working now. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 24, 2001 —Page 2 ♦ There was a major water main break on Bancroft Avenue on July 4th. The affected street and parking area will be re-paved by Fall. ♦ The Summerfest Program a couple of weeks ago was a major success, as were the accompanying fireworks. We do have some major concerns about field damage done as a result of the Carnival, and will be meeting with Summerfest folks within the next couple of weeks to try to prevent such problems for next year. ♦ CPDC approved the PUD for the Dickinson Development a couple of weeks ago. Conservation Commission has a special hearing on August 9th on the project. The MEPA document is almost ready to file. The PWED application has been filed, and a public hearing is scheduled for the next Board of Selectmen meeting. ♦ Road construction continues or has been completed on Pearl, John, Green, Haven, Bancroft, and Highland; major reconstruction is progressing well on Summer; re-paving related to the sewer construction project on Mill and Short Streets is completed. ♦ Curb and/or sidewalk construction will be done on Ash/Main Street, Middlesex across from the Library, Franklin at Haverhill and Union Street. ♦ Colburn Road follow-up — the potholes have been patched but the Town does not have any money to do any more than that. The Building Inspector is following up with the contractor regarding the construction debris. • The Registry is looking for space — 8300 sq. ft. in Reading, North Reading, Burlington, Wilmington or Woburn. • Elaine Lucas, a principal in our Town Counsel firm of Brackett and Lucas, has been re- elected to a term on the Executive Committee of the City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association. • The Rotary Club donated $1,799.98 for the purpose of purchasing six defibrillator trainers - - for the Reading Fire Department. The trainers have been ordered and will be used to train members of the community and any interested Town Departments or employees. Personnel and Appointments Badf4e Pinning — Fire Captain and Lieutenant — Fire Chief Greg Burns introduced Captain Paul Guarino and Lieutenant David Ballou. Captain Guarino's wife pinned his badge and Lt. Ballou's father pinned his badge. Discussion/Action Items Hearing—Modification of Ambulance Rates—The Secretary read the hearing notice. Fire Chief Greg Burns noted that he surveyed the eight surrounding communities. The trend is to increase rates to Medicare plus 30%. Reading is significantly below the other communities. He noted that there are also items that we are not charging for that we should be. Chairman George Hines asked what happens to the 30% when a Medicare customer doesn't have supplemental insurance. Chief Burns noted that we have a compassionate policy where we do our best to collect and if not, we just move them to the no pay column. Selectman Gail Wood noted that the epinephrine charge is high. Chief Burns noted that it is classified by insurance as an intravenous drug. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 24, 2001 —Page 3 Selectman Camille Anthony noted that Stoneham is getting $385 per run, and she asked why we are putting our rate below an average. Chief Burns noted that the trend is Medicare plus 30%. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to close the hearing on modification of ambulance rates was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Anthony moved and Schubert seconded to approve the ambulance rates as established in Figure A as "Medicare + 30% Proposed." Wood moved and Cummings seconded to amend the motion to increase the BLS to $382.55. The motion to amend the BLS was approved by a vote of 3-2-0, with Cummings and Hines opposed. Wood moved and Anthony seconded to reduce the epinephrine charge to $55. The motion to reduce the epinephrine charge failed by a vote of 1-4- 0, with Hines, Anthony, Cummings and Schubert opposed. The main motion as amended with the BLS rate at $382.55 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. CPDC Work Proms — CPDC Member Kathy Greenfield and Town Planner Anne Krieg were present to update the Board on what CPDC is working on. Ms. Greenfield noted that the Commission is working on the landfill, Harrow's/Calareso's deve?=:=pment, and the Mobil Station on West Street. Three lots from Sunset rock were placed back uncler covenant. There have been issues regarding construction hours and noise throughout Town, so CPDC will hold a workshop on August 6th to determine public interest in controlling construction activity. Upcoming items for CPDC is aligning the Acquifer Protection District; updating the Master Plan and playing a larger role in the Comprehensive Permit process. The Town Manager noted that a Chapter 40b Workshop will be held on September 12, 2001. The workshop will include the Board of Appeals, CPDC, Housing Authority and Board of Selectmen. Attorney Edith Netter will also draft rules and regulations regarding comprehensive permits. The Board thanked Kathy Greenfield for the update. Approve Execution of Deeds and Related Documents for Transfer of Property on Line Road — Selectman Camille Anthony recused herself because she is a member of the Open Land Trust. The Town Manager noted that this is tax title property. Land Bank Member Ben Nichols noted that the previous Board of Selectmen was made up of different members and he asked if this Board is authorized to sign. The Town Manager noted that this Board can sign. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to authorize the execution of the deed and all other documents for Map 68, Lot 6 to the Reading Open Land Trust was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. _.......... Board of Selectmen Meeting_—July 24, 2001 —Page 4 Transfer of Land to Conservation — Line Road Area — The Town Manager noted that these - properties were being held for potential mitigation of the landfill project. He wants to make sure that is still the intent of the Board. Selectman Gail Wood asked if this will hinder the drainage _s study or sewer line. The Town Manager noted that it would not. The Town Manager noted that the transfer of this land to Conservation will be put on an agenda after the landfill process is complete. Vacate Decree—96 Redgate Lane—The Town Manager noted that the owner of the property has passed away. The estate wants to sell the property but they don't own it because the Town foreclosed on it. The closing is August 1 st and that is when the Town will get the money that is owed. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked if all back taxes are included in the $31,901.40. Wood moved and Anthony seconded to file a motion in the Land Court to vacate the foreclosure decree against Donald J. Frye and Blanche S. Frye for the property at 96 Redgate Lane, subject to payment of the sum of$31,901.40 for all expenses related to this matter on or before August 1, 2001. Cummings moved and Anthony seconded to amend the motion to include any other additional expenses that may have accrued on the property including taxes. The motion was approved as amended by a vote of 5-0-0. Approval of Minutes A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to approve the minutes of their meeting of July 10, 2001 was approved by a vote of 4-0-1, with Anthony abstaining. A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to labor negotiations (Dispatcher's Contract) 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. Respectfully submitted, G Secretary l'