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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-01-04 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting January 4, 2000 The meeting convened at 7:20 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Sally Hoyt, Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor (arrived at 7:30 p.m.), Selectmen Camille Anthony and Matthew Cummings, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Town Counsel H Theodore Cohen, DPW Director Ted McIntire, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Douglas Neary, Tom Strandberg, Steve Kintigos. On motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of litigation to come back into Open Session at approximately 7:30 p.m. On a roll call vote, Hoyt, Anthony and Cummings voted in the affinnative and the Board went into Executive Session. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 7:31 p.m. Approval of Settlement — Spadafora — The Town Manager noted that the Board of Selectmen met in Executive Session and approved a settlement agreement between Evelyn Spadafora, a former employee, and the Town's insurance company. On motion by Cummings seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a release and settlement agreement between the Town of Reading and Evelyn Spadafora. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve an agreement and mutual release with the Town's insurance carrier regarding Evelyn Spadafora, and authorized the Town Manager to sign on the Board's behalf. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - Chairman Sally Hoyt wished everyone a happy New Year. Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor noted that he has been attending the School Committee budget deliberations. He noted that RCTV is not covering all of the sessions, and it is important that all of the information gets out to the public. The Town Manager noted that RCTV is obligated to cover all Board of Selectmen, School Committee and Town Meetings. The Board directed the Town Manager to contact RCTV and find out what is the problem. Selectman Camille Anthony congratulated the Millennium Committee for all of their hard work. Board of Selectmen Meetin.—January 4, 2000—Page 2 Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ The material (slate) for the Senior Center roof has been delivered. Scaffolding has been installed on the rear of the building. Installation will begin as soon as weather permits—one face of the building will be done at a time. ♦ The Route 129 project progresses well. Signals will be installed when they are delivered. Signs will go up within the next week. Completion of all aspects of the project will be in the Spring. e The work on the Police Station is coming close to completion. The curb on-site and paving are done, and the Union and Middle Street curbing and sidewalk are complete except for the aprons. The parking lot at the Police Station and at the Hamden Yard location will be closed starting tomorrow for several days to pour the aprons and allow the concrete to cure. Tree wells are in and the trees will be planted in the Spring. ♦ The outbreak of Pertussis (whooping cough) has hit 52 residents but appears to be waning. This disease is highly contagious but very treatable. DEP is holding a meeting on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. relative to several sites in North Reading and Wilmington that they are dealing with on an enforcement basis— GE, MSM, Roadway and Sterling Chemical. The meeting was requested by a petition of several Reading residents. The Town's Health Administrator and Public Works Director will be attending. ♦ The Superintendent of Schools and I put together a fact package relative to the proposed Dividence Road School, and held a press conference today on the subject. The intent is not to advocate for the project --just to supply the facts. ♦ Joe Connelly, our Recreation Administrator for the past 6 years, is resigning to take a new job in Arlington, MA. He will be missed—we are in the process of drafting the ads etc. for his replacement. Camille Anthony stated that working with Joe on Community Day was a great experience. ♦ Y2K came and went --the only"glitch" was that Fire Chief Wood couldn't get through to MEMA to give them his report. ♦ Christmas Tree disposal is this Saturday at the Compost Center or next week with the trash. ♦ There has been a concern about a beaver darn that is located east of Willow Street. I will be checking this out this week with Engineering and with the Conservation Administrator. ♦ The Finance Director is requesting that the Board of Selectmen have a short meeting next week to approve BANS. The Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean expressed thanks to Joe Connelly. He noted that he has received correspondence from Lincoln Development regarding the landfill. He will be meeting with them this week. Selectman Matthew Cummings indicated that he wants to attend that meeting. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 4 2000—Page 3 Personnel & Appointments MAPC Representative—There were no applicants. Leal Services Review Team — The Town Manager noted that the Board of Selectmen determined that they want to proceed with the evaluation of legal services. In the past, the Selectmen formed a seven member committee consisting of two Selectmen, one School Committee member, one Bylaw Committee member, and three others including Town Meeting members. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the Town Meeting member should not already be a member of a Board, Committee or Commission. She suggested appointing everyone who applied plus one or two Town Meeting members. On motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen placed the following names into nomination for seven positions on the Ad Hoc Evaluation of Legal Services Committee for terms expiring June 30, 2000: Rick Schubert, Bethann Matathia, Tim Twomey, Michael Larkin, Phil Pacino, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Matthew Nestor. Nestor moved and Cummings seconded to nominate seven members and leave one position open for a Town Meeting representative. The main motion was approved as amended by a vote of 4-0-0. Rick Schubert, Bethann Matathia, Tim Twomey, Michael Larkin, Phil Pacino, Camille Anthony and Matthew Nestor were appointed and one vacancy exists for a Town Meeting member. Discussion/Action Items Set Date of Town Election — March 7 2000 - The Town Manager noted that the Town Bylaw says that the Selectmen may vote to combine the two elections but do not have to. On motion by Nestor seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen voted to set the date for the Town Election on March 7, 2000, combining the time and location of the Town Election with the Presidential Primary Election. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing — Knights of Columbus Change of Manager — Selectman Matthew Cummings read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that every time a manager changes in a liquor establishment, a hearing must be held. Tom Strandberg and Steve Kintigos from the Knights of Columbus were present. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if they were aware that TIPS training is necessary, and Steve Kintigos indicated it was scheduled for January 15, 2000. On motion by Cummings seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen voted to close the public hearing on the change of manager for the Knights of Columbus. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 4, 2000—Page 4 On motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the change of manager for the Knights of Columbus to Steven Kintigos. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Presentation -- UI Program — DPW Director Ted McIntire noted that this presentation is for educational purposes about inflow and infiltration. Infiltration is the groundwater that enters a sewer system through defective pipes,joints, service connections and manhole walls. Inflow is the quantity of water discharged into a sewer system from sump pumps, manhole covers, downspouts, foundation or surface drains, streams, catch basins, etc. Inflow is usually rainfall related; however, dry weather inflow from sump pumps may also exist. DPW Director Ted McIntire noted that the Town is doing many things to address the issue. Public Works is cleaning sewer mains, inspecting mains by TV, sealing pipe joints, replacing sewer mains, conducting flow gauging, smoke testing, dye testing, performed limited house to house inspections, and removed some of the sump pumps. DPW Director Ted McIntire noted that there is 105 miles of pipes in the Town's sewer system. The system is made up of reinforced concrete pipes, vitrified clay pipes, asbestos/cement pipes and PVC pipes. The bulk of the system is made up of asbestos pipes and PVC pipes. Five major tributary areas have been identified. Three discharge to the MWRA system at Summer Avenue, one discharges to the MWRA system at Arnold Avenue and one discharge to - the City of Woburn at Border Road. A wastewater flow gauging program was conducted to measure the amount of UI entering the sewer system. Dry weather flows recorded between midnight and 5 a.m. were used to calculate high groundwater infiltration rates. Four of the 38 sub-tributary areas were recommended for flow isolation. Inflow was determined by comparing dry weather flows to wet weather flows. Thirty-three of the 3.8 sub-tributary areas were recommended for flow isolation. Compared to other MWRA communities, Reading has the 5th highest water rate, 91h highest sewer rate and the 5th highest combined. DPW Director Ted McIntire noted that the MWRA is offering money, and has developed two task forces that are open to all communities. They are looking at regional programs. The Town Manager noted that some residents have sump pumps connected to the sewer system. The Town can't just pull them out without offering some kind of help. Douglas Neary of 155 Village Street asked how long the Town has known about the problem on Village Street. DPW Director Ted McIntire noted that that area has been surcharging since before 1971. Mr. Neary asked why the problem has not been addressed. DPW Director Ted McIntire noted that there is no solution to 100 year storms which is what caused the sewer backup that Mr. Neary is referring to. Mr. Neary noted that he had a sewerage backup with thousands of dollars of damage and nobody wants to be responsible. The Town Manager noted that it was an act of God and insurance will not cover. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 4, 2000—Page 5 Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor asked what other Towns are doing about III. DPW Director Ted McIntire noted that the inflow problem is the same with the other communities. The Town _ Manager recommended putting the same amount of money in the budget and use whatever surplus to continue to correct the situation. The Board of Selectmen thanked DPW Director Ted McIntire for his presentation. On motion by Cummings seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their meeting of January 4, 2000 at 9:05 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 and the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted Secretar ..._......_..