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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-11-20 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting November 20, 2001 The meeting convened at 7:34 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Secretary Matthew Cummings, Selectmen Richard Schubert and Gail Wood, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Conservation Administrator Frances Fink, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Will Finch, Dave Billard, Robert Nordstrand, Tom Ryan, Ralph Colorusso, Betsy Ware. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - Selectman Matthew Cummings had no report. Selectman Gail Wood noted that the Veteran's Flower Fund Dance was successful, and that $53,000 has been raised to date. She attended the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Meeting. They are reviewing the consultant rate study and want to stick with the one customer base. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the Selectmen received a letter from a resident thanking Jack Sullivan for his work. Chairman George Hines noted that the Veteran's Flower Fund Dance was great. He also noted that he and Selectmen Camille Anthony and Richard Schubert attended the Chamber of Commerce Award Dinner. He indicated that he would like to meet all of the Fire Fighters and Police Officers. He noted that the Article on the Town Meeting Warrant regarding removing the Police Chief position from Civil Service was put on the Warrant because of the difficult hiring process but the Chief does not want it removed because of political influence. Chairman George Hines indicated that the Board of Selectmen does not influence the Police Department -- they only deal with policies. He is concerned that the Police feel that they could be influenced politically. Chairman George Hines suggested instituting dialogue with the Police and Fire Departments regarding this issue. Selectman Matthew Cummings suggested getting Personnel Administrator Carol Roberts involved. Public Comment—The Town Manager noted that Bill Brown could not be present tonight but he left a handout of a potential instructional motion suggesting a Town Bylaw change allowing the Board of Selectmen to authorize use of alcohol in Town buildings. Mr. Brown pointed out that the Selectmen are the issuing authority for liquor licenses. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ There is a new look in Reading Square -- American flags have begun to be displayed from light poles around the Common. We have purchased 44 flag sets, thanks to the generosity of the Reading/North Reading Chamber of Commerce, Reading Rotary and the Reading Lions Club. The RMLD has begun the installation process. The Reading DPW will manage the Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 20, 2001 —Page 2 process of putting up flags and taking them down at appropriate times of the year. Town - Clerk Cheryl Johnson has managed the coordination of this process. Ideally, we would like to have a total of about 70 flags. If residents are interested in contributing, each flag set cost about$60, they may feel free to contact my office. ♦ I was delighted to attend the Veteran's Flower Fund Dance at Camp Curtis Guild on November 10th, and to see that the committee has raised over$53,000 to set up a permanent fund to fund this program starting in FY 2004. Additional contributions are welcome. The entire committee and all of the volunteers who assisted them did a great job on the entire campaign, and deserve the thanks and appreciation of the entire community. ♦ Beginning with this meeting, the Board of Selectmen's Agenda is now on the Town's web site at www.ci.readin .ma.us, as well as a summary of discussion and action items being on RCTV Bulletin Board on Channel 22. Jeff Murley from our Technology Division and Paula Schena from my office have worked to make this happen. ♦ .Wilmington's Board of Selectmen has asked if the communities in the RMLD service area are interested in the RMLD developing a Cable TV and internet access system for the four communities they serve. The Board of Selectmen should develop a process including our Cable TV Advisory Committee in determining whether that is something we are supportive of. Chairman George Hines suggested that the Reading Cable TV Advisory Committee review this request and report back to the Board of Selectmen. ♦ Officer David Clark and Sergeant James Cormier represented the Reading Police Department in New York City, providing transport and security for victim's families and workers. The Board of Selectmen has a copy of a report from them on their experiences, and I hope both newspapers will run the text of the memo. ♦ The Chamber of Commerce honored Nelson Burbank as Citizen of the Year, and also Robert Moreschi as Police Officer of the Year and Tony Gentile as Fire Fighter of the Year from Reading. ♦ The Conservation Commission began the hearing process on November 7th on the application for the Walkers Brook Drive improvements as part of the Walkers Brook Crossing. ♦ The Subsequent Town Meeting and the Special Town Meeting started on November 13th, and are now completed. ♦ The Massachusetts Highway Department is conducting a study and review of the I-95/I-93 intersection. The presentation they made on October 23rd is now accessible through the Town's web page at www.ci.reading.ma.us. ♦ We have received notice that the Tennessee Gas Pipeline is beginning preliminary work including surveying to upgrade the gas transmission facilities in the region, including initial surveying. I will be meeting with representatives of the company next week and will have more information at that time. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 20, 2001 —Page 3 _ ♦ The remaining leaf collection schedule for this Fall is the week of November 26th - this is reduced for budget reasons from the three that we usually do. The schedule gives residents the holiday weekend to rake leaves. Additionally, the Compost Center will be open through December 2nd. ♦ As of this moment, we still do not have a State budget. It appears that we will have one tomorrow, and the information we get is that the Cherry Sheet for State Aid will be unchanged. We have out information into the Department of Revenue for certification of our tax rate based on the Cherry Sheet numbers. ♦ Representative Brad Jones tells me that Reading's Housing Trust Fund home rule legislation is on the Governor's desk for signature, and it may in fact be signed by tonight. Personnel and Appointments North Suburban Planning; Council - The Town Manager noted that the Metropolitan Area Planning Council is requesting reappointment of the MAPC representative, a member of the Board of Selectmen and an alternate and a member of the Planning Board and an alternate. Cummings moved and Wood seconded to nominate Selectman Richard Schubert to serve as the Selectmen's representative on the North Suburban Planning Council with a term expring June 30,2004. Selectman Richard Schubert received four votes and was appointed., A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to nominate Anne Krieg as the Selectmen's alternate with a term expiring June 30, 2004, and Joe Delaney as the CPDC alternate with a term expiring June 30, 2003 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0, and Anne Krieg and Joe Delaney were appointed. Discussion/Action Items Review of Legal Services—This agenda item will be rescheduled. Adopt Liquor License Policy- The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that he added a chart in Section 3.2. He also added a section for club licenses and on deliveries. He took out the section on advertisement. The Town Manager noted that there is no requirement to be seated at the bar. In the club license section, there is no eating or seating requirements and plastic glasses are permitted. Chairman George Hines noted that clubs serve alcohol when no food service is available. He also noted that the Health Administrator Jane Fiore wrote a memo to the Board concerning nightclubs. The Town Manager noted that nightclubs would have to have a special permit. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to close the public hearing on the liquor license policy was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to adopt the liquor license policy as presented on November 20, 2001 with the amendment of eliminating Section 3.2.5.9 and renumbering Section 3.2.5.10 as 3.2.5.9, effective January 1, 2002 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 20, 2001 —Page_4 Review Conservation Easements with Board of Assessors and Conservation Commission — Chairman George Hines welcomed Conservation Administrator Frances Fink, Conservation Commission Chairman Will Finch, Assessor Dave Billard, Board of Assessor Chairman Tom Ryan and members Ralph Colorusso and Robert Nordstrand. Will Finch noted that having the option of granting an easement is an important tool that gives the Conservation Commission flexibility and developers options,plus it offers protection. Fran Fink indicated that the Conservation Commission grants the easement but it then has to go to the Board of Selectmen for final approval. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked what would happen if the Selectmen did not approve. Will Finch noted that the order of conditions can be changed. The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen need to direct the Conservation Commission on whether they want to grant the conservation restrictions. Fran Fink noted that there is usually more than one public hearing, and they could alert the Board of Selectmen when the restrictions are being considered. The Town Manager noted that a policy could be developed stating that if the land is wetlands, then the Selectmen will say yes but if it is anything other than that, then the Selectmen want to be involved. Dave Billard noted that if the parcel is improved then there is a 5% - 10% adjustment on the land value. if the restriction prevents from building on vacant land, then the tax adjustment is a major detriment. Mr. Billard noted that some properties are not taxable anyway so there is no adjustment. Bob Nordstrand noted that a lot of times property owners are giving away their development rights. This lowers the taxable value and creates open space that is a value to the Town. The utility of the land reflects in the value. Selectman Gail Wood noted that restrictions placed on land to prevent development doesn't always create a "public" open space. Will Finch noted that sometimes property owners will grant permission for public access. The Town Manager will work with the Conservation Administrator to develop a policy and bring it back to the Board of Selectmen. Review Nextel Letter re: Siting Cellular Communications — The Town Manager noted that Nextel is interested in locating an antenna in Reading. This would have to be bid out. Nextel has identified the Library as a potential location. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 20 2001 —Page 5 Betsy Ware from Nextel was present. She noted that they are looking for a location in the center of Town. They are interested in the water tank or the Library. Chairman George Hines noted that there is no more room on the water tank because there are already three carriers on it. Besty Ware noted that the Library has a high ground elevation and they would mount the antenna on the chimney. They are also exploring the flag pole on the Common but the shelter would have to go underground. The Town Manager noted that they have to be allowed into the community. Municipal facilities are an option. If not, then they will go to private property. There are zoning regulations in place for these facilities on private property. Ms. Ware noted that they try to work with the communities. She noted that the private property in this area would need significant rezoning relief, and they are not looking at towers -- they are looking at rooftops. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if one more spot would capture what is needed. A Nextel representative noted that depends on growth. Selectman Richard Schubert indicated that he feels one municipal location is better than three private locations. The Town Manager noted that the Town has more control as the landlord than if it is on private property. Selectman Matthew Cummings indicated that he does not approve of using the Library as an antenna site. Ms. Ware noted that there is no service in the center of Town. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he disagreed—he's a customer. The consensus of the Board was to have discussion with the Board of Library Trustees and the Historical Commission before any decisions are made. Approval of Minutes A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to approve the minutes of their meeting of October 30, 2001 was approved by a vote of 3-0-1, with Cummings abstaining. A motion by Schubert seconded by Wood to approve the minutes of their meeting of November 5, 2001 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to adjourn the meeting of November 20, 2001 at 9:50 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 and the meeting was adjourned. Res ectfully submitted, r -- Secretary