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Home My WebLink About2001-11-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting November 27, 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 (arrived at 7:40 p.m.), Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Matthew Cummings, Selectmen Richard Schubert and Gail Wood, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Police Chief Bob Silva, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Attorney Josh Latham, Jay Smith. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to go into Executive Session for the purpose of strategy regarding labor negotiations, Police Patrolmen's Association and AFSCME DPW Union and approval of minutes to come back into Open Session at approximately 8:00 p.m. was approved on a roll call vote with Anthony, Cummings, Schubert and Wood voting in the affirmative. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 8:20 p.m. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments—Selectman Matthew Cummings had no report. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she attended a meeting of the Ipswich River Task Force. The Town Manager's evaluation will be done at the second meeting in January. She requested that the Action Status Report be reviewed. She also attended the meeting of the Board of Library Trustees regarding Nextel. Selectman Gail Wood noted that the Town of Reading should support the Town of North Reading if they apply for the aquifer land acquisition grant. The Town Manager will send a letter indicating our support. Chairman George Hines noted that he attended the meeting of the Board of Library Trustees regarding Nextel. Public Comment—There was no public comment. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ The proceeds from fund raising for the Veterans' Flower Fund have been turned over to the Town. If anyone still wants to make a donation, they can be sent to the Town and marked Veterans' Flower Fund. These donations will become part of the initial trust fund. ♦ The tree lighting program on Sunday was a huge success. Cooperative weather, the participation of lots of businesses, and a variety of activities made this a very enjoyable event. The turn-out from the community was huge -- the largest that most participants can remember. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 27, 2001 —Pale 2 ♦ The Board of Library Trustees and the Historical Commission met last evening, and both bodies voted to recommend that the Town move forward with the testing by Nextel of the Library site as a potential site for cellular installation. They had a lot of questions and - comments, all of which need to be addressed if the Library is a viable site. ♦ The Board of Selectmen's Agenda is now on the Town's web site at www.ci.reading.ma.us, as well as a summary of discussion and action items being on the RCTV Bulletin Board on Channel 22. ♦ 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 Cable TV Advisory Committee meets this Thursday and I will ask them to review the issue. ♦ 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. ♦ The remaining curbside leaf collection schedule for this Fall is this week, November 26th. Additionally, the Compost Center will be open through December 2nd. ♦ We now have a State budget and it appears the Cherry Sheet for State aid will be unchanged, - although there is some changing among State aid categories — an increase in Chapter 70 school aid, a decrease in Chapter 81 highway aid, and an decrease in "in lieu of tax payments" for State owned lands. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to approve a Resolution supporting "Producer Take- back of Cathode Ray Tubes, Electronics and Household Hazardous Products" was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Personnel and Appointments Conservation Commission—The Board did not make an appointment. Discussion/Action Items Hearing — Venetian Moon Liquor License — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Attorney Josh Latham was present. The Town Manager noted that we didn't wait the 10 days after the original hearing notice was advertised so the ABCC is requiring that we hold a second hearing. A motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings to close the hearing for the Venetian Moon Liquor license was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings to approve the liquor license for C.A.C. Foods, Inc. d/b/a Venetian Moon Restaurant at 680 Main Street, Reading, MA was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 27 2001 —Page 3 Hearing — Stop Sign on Cedar at Hopkins — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the Board received a complaint in September regarding this intersection. - There have been a lot of near misses. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to close the hearing for a stop sign on Cedar Street at Hopkins Street was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to amend the Traffic Rules and Regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen on March 28, 1995, for the Town of Reading, by adding to Article 6, Section 6.12, the following: "Stop on Cedar Street at Hopkins Street"was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Approval of 2002 Liquor Licenses — The Town Manager noted that liquor licenses have to be renewed in the month of November. All taxes have been paid. The applications have been reviewed by the Health Division and the Police Department. The Town Manager noted that previously conditions regarding TIPS and TAMS training were put on the license but they are in the new policy so these conditions won't be put on the license. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to approve the All Alcoholic Club Liquor Licenses for: Reading Overseas Veterans, Inc., 575 Main Street Meadow Brook Golf Club, 292 Grove Street Home Building Corp. d/b/a Knights of Columbus, 11 Sanborn Street - Reading Veteran's Association, Inc. d/b/a American Legion Post 62, 37 Ash Street for a term expiring December 31, 2002, subject to the following conditions: All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings to approve the All Alcoholic Package Store Liquor Licenses for: Reading Liquors, 345 Main Street Athens Liquors, Inc. d/b/a Square Liquors, 11 High Street North Side Liquors, 1349 Main Street Ramos, Inc. d/b/a The Wine Shop of Reading, 676 Main Street for a term expiring December 31, 2002, subject to the following conditions: All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 27, 2001 —Page 4 A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to approve the All Alcoholic Restaurant Liquor Licenses for: Mandarin Reading Restaurant, 296 Salem Street Mecom, Inc. d/b/a Caf6 Capri, 355 Main Street Harrow's Poultry Products, Inc. d/b/a/Harrow's Restaurant, 126 Main Street Emperor's Choice Restaurant, 530 Main Street for a term expiring December 31, 2002, subject to the following conditions: All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to approve the Wine and Malt Liquor Licenses for: Focaccia, Inc. d/b/a Focaccia Restaurant, 601 Main Street C.A.C. Foods, Inc. d/b/a Venetian Moon Restaurant, 680 Main Street for a term expiring December 31, 2002, subject to the following conditions: All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Review Parking Regulations and Parking Enforcement—The Town Manager noted that Police Chief Bob Silva is present to discuss the hiring of an Enforcement Officer. He recommends a civilian Officer to work four days a week for four hours,a day. The Town Manager noted that the Police Department is writing $40,000 in tickets now and sold 4,000 Community Access Stickers. Chief Bob Silva noted that the previous Officer was laid off. Selectman Richard Schubert had concerns this would happen again. He asked if a revolving fund could be established with the revenues from the parking tickets. The Town Manager indicated that he would like to have this done before next fiscal year. Chairman George Hines noted that the revolving fund has to be dedicated by Town Meeting. Selectman Gail Wood noted that she likes the idea of the Enforcement Officer and revolving fund. She indicated that people who bought Community Access Stickers to park get upset because people are parking without them and not getting ticketed. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she feels we cannot wait until July 1, 2002 to implement this. Jay Smith, President of the Reading/North Reading Chamber of Commerce and owner of Sense -of Wonder, indicated that he supports the enforcement program. He noted that business owners won't pay for employee parking if there is no enforcement. `"--- Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 27, 2001 —Page 5 Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that if this is part of a comprehensive plan, then it should be done now. He indicated that he wants discussion with the Finance Committee. Chairman George Hines asked Chief Bob Silva for a commitment from the Police Department that they will continue to write tickets. Chief Silva noted that it is a great program, but he would have a problem supporting this program if he was laying off Officers. Chairman George Hines asked if the Town could create a parking enforcement department. The Town Manager will follow up with the Town Accountant and Town Counsel. This will be put on the December 11th Agenda and the Finance Committee will be invited. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to go into Executive Session for the purpose of strategy regarding labor negotiations, AFSCME DPW Union 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 and the Board adjourned the Open Session at 9:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Secretary ��