HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-01-12 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
January 12, 1999
The meeting was convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Bruce MacDonald, Vice Chairman Sally Hoyt,
Selectmen Camille Anthony and George Hines, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant
Town. Manager Russell Dean, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Gina
Snyder, Nancy Eaton, Stewart Chipman, Steve Blewitt, William Hughes, Jr., Lawrence Casey,
Peter DePesa, Robert DePesa, Police Chief Edward Marchand, Joe Veno, Ted McIntire, Joe
Delaney, Jacqui Carson, Brenda Smith, Richard Cohen, Robert Salter.
On notion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to go into Executive
Session for the purpose of discussion of strategy with respect to the Sprint litigation, sale of real
estate, and approval of minutes to come back into Open Session at approximately 7:30 p.m. On
a roll call vote, all four members voted in the affirmative.
The Board reconvened the Open Session at 8:05 p.m.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Camille Anthony noted that she attended a CPDC
meeting last night, and that a petition is being circulated by neighbors of Eric's Greenhouse to
get an article on the April Town Meeting Warrant requesting a five acre minimum for
agricultural uses.
Public Comment— Gina Synder invited the Board of Selectmen to hear speakers on January 26,
1999 regarding the habitat studies in the Ipswich River.
Town Manager's Report
The Town Manager gave the following report:
♦ Karen DeFrancesco has been appointed as acting Conservation Administrator while
we go through the hiring process to hire Don Nadeau's replacement.
♦ Scott Dole has been hired as Reading's newest firefighter, replacing Jim Stevenson
who is retiring. Scott and Firefighter Michael Wood will be attending the Fire-
fighting Academy beginning in February.
♦ We are continuing to evaluate the options for hiring a planner to replace Jonathan
Edwards. The first choice candidate declined the position to take a position
elsewhere.
♦ We have advertised a combined Retirement Administrator - Assistant Town
Accountant position to replace the retiring Executive Secretary of the Retirement
Board
♦ Reading Business Park— We met with DEP a couple of weeks ago, and have met
with Corporex. Counsel, our real estate advisor, Russ and I are meeting with them
"} again this week to try to work out the details of a Letter of Intent that can be signed
within a couple of weeks while we continue to negotiate the more complex lease
document.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 12, 1999—Page 2
♦ I would like Russ to briefly explain some of the possibilities he has been
exploring relative to helping to fund the offsite improvements on the Reading
Business Park development.
♦ The Police Station ledge removal has been ongoing for several weeks. We
hope to be done by Friday. There is less ledge than anticipated but the last
bit of ledge is particularly hard. The project is about 2 weeks behind schedule
but the Construction Manager is confident that the time can be made up.
♦ The Annual Census will be mailed out as soon as possible. The vendor who is
doing the mailing and printing has delayed the process. Residents can also license
their dog at the same time they return your census.
e The Compost Center is closed for the season, after being opened on January 9"'
for Christmas trees. We will be doing a Spring curbside leaf collection for those
who want to plan their Spring clean up.
♦ The Special Election is being held on January 27, 1999 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
on the issue of whether to approve the actions of the Special Town Meeting on the
elementary school projects. A "YES" vote is a vote to uphold the decision of
Town Meeting to proceed with the projects.
Personnel and Appointments
Ad Hoc Water Supply Advisory Committee - The Town Manager reviewed the composition of
the Ad Hoc Water Supply Advisory Committee. Steve Blewitt, Robert Salter and Nancy Eaton
were present to be interviewed by the Board of Selectmen.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Anthony, the Board placed the following names into
nomination for three positions at large on the Ad Hoc Water Supply Advisory Committee: Steve
J. Blewitt, Steven G. Oston, and Robert S. Salter. Steve Blewitt received four votes, Steven
Oston received three votes, and Robert Salter received three votes and all three were appointed.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board placed the name of Stephen Blewitt into
nomination as Chairman of the Ad Hoc Water Supply Advisory Committee. Hines moved and
Hoyt seconded to table the motion until all candidates were interviewed. The motion to table
was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. _
Hines moved and Hoyt seconded to take the main motion from the table to appoint a Chairman.
The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The main motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0,
and Stephen Blewitt was appointed as Chainnan of the Ad Hoc Water Supply Advisory
Committee.
On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Water and
Sewer Advisory Members Gail Wood, Stewart Chipman and Richard Moore to the Ad Hoc
Water Supply Advisory Committee. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to nominate Camille Anthony as the
Board of Selectmen's representative on the Ad Hoc Water Supply Advisory Committee. The
motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-1, with Anthony abstaining.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 12, 1999—Page 3
The Board directed the Conservation Commission to go back and recommend only one name to
the Board to be the Commission's representative on the Advisory Committee.
Cable TV Advisory Committee—The applicant was not present.
Discussion/Action Items
Review Petition — Four Way Stop at High and Middlesex — Police Chief Edward Marchand,
Safety Officer Joe Veno, Public Works Director Ted McIntire and Town Engineer Joe Delaney
were present. The Town Manager noted that the residents who signed the petition were not
present because they had only notified the previous Friday by leaving a message. The Town
Manager reviewed the accident history. He noted that a youngster was hit in that location in
1997.
Sally Hoyt noted that when you are taking a left onto High from Middlesex, you cannot see the
traffic coming over the hill.
Camille Anthony indicated that four accidents in 1996 seem like a lot, and asked how that
compared to other locations. Joe Veno noted that it is not a lot for a street that carries so much
traffic.
George Hines noted that the wall exasperates the problem, and that a four way stop with street
markings would help. Chief Marchand noted that a four way stop will actually cause more
accidents. Joe Delaney noted that a four way stop can cause significant delays. He indicated
that the Town could approach the owner of the property to move the wall back. Chief Marchand
noted that the four way stop at John Street was working well.
Camille Anthony noted that High Street is a long street with no stops and asked how the Police
keep the speed down. Joe Veno responded with radar enforcement.
Bruce MacDonald asked about traffic counts and cue analysis.
Joe Delaney noted that High Street is a through route and traffic calming should not be
considered.
The Board directed the Town Manager to send correspondence to the Laiithiers outlining
tonight's discussion.
Camille Anthony asked about stop sign ahead signs. She also asked about traffic calming
measures and educational programs.
Review Request for Traffic Signal at Baystate Road and Salem Street—Jacqui Carson from Peter
- Sanborn Place was present. The Town Manager noted that the traffic report indicates that the
signal is not needed.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 12, 1999—Page4
Chief Marchand noted that there is a lot of traffic but a signal is not needed because traffic
moves along. Joe Delaney noted that 100 or more pedestrians are required per hour for a
pedestrian signal. Jacqui Carson noted that there are no pedestrian counts -- nobody will be out --
there because of the traffic concerns and chaos.
The Town Manager suggested that maybe moving the bus stop and crosswalk away from the
intersection would help. George Hines asked about a handicap sign. The Town Manager
suggested that we let the construction proceed and talk with Mass Highway about moving the
crosswalk and bus stop and explore handicap signage.
Stop Sign — Longfellow at Weston —The Town Manager noted that he has had a request from a
resident to install a stop sign on Longfellow at Weston because of traffic from the High School.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to authorize the installation of a stop
sign on Longfellow at Weston. The motion was not approved by a vote of 2-2-0, with
MacDonald and Anthony opposed.
Joe Veno noted that he did monitor the area and did not see erratic operation.
Bruce MacDonald and Camille Anthony wanted to hear more from the neighbors before making
a decision.
Designation of Reading Communitv Television, Inc. — Brenda Smith and Richard Cohen were
present. Brenda Smith reviewed the process.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to designate Reading
Community Television, Inc. as the recipient of the operating and equipment grant funds provided
for PEG operations in the cable franchise contract. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Heariniz — Beer and Wine License for Focaccia — Sally Hoyt read the hearing notice. Attorney
Lawrence Casey, Robert DePesa and Peter DePesa-were present. Peter DePesa noted that the
customers are requesting that beer and wine be served.
Sally Hoyt asked if he would be moving and the answer was no.
Bill Hughes asked if Attorney Casey was the same attorney that represented Focaccia a few
years ago. The answer was no.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to close the hearing for a beer and wine
license for Focaccia Restaurant. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a beer and
wine license for Focaccia Restaurant, 601 Main Street, for a term expiring December 31, 1999
subject to the following conditions:
1. Section 3.3 of the Board of Selectmen's Policies — Sale of Beer and `Fine
in Restaurants, all Zoning and other Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of
the Town of Reading are adhered to;
Board of Selectmen Meeting—JanuM 12, 1999—Page 5
2. All employees of the establishment'involved in the serving of alcoholic
beverages shall be trained in TIPS, or an equivalent program on the effective
date of this license, and new employees shall be trained within three months
of being hired, and the operator of the establishment will certify in writing to
the Town Manager that this condition has been met;
3. There shall be no video gambling machines on the premises;
4. Hours of operation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Attorney Casey noted that the statute allows from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and asked the Board
to amend the motion to closing at 11:00 p.m.
On notion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to amend the main motion to have hours
of operation be 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The main motion was approved as amended by a vote of
4-0-0.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their
meeting of November 17, 1998. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their
meeting of November 19, 1998. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-1, with Hines
abstaining.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their
meeting of November 24, 1998. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-1, with Hines
abstaining.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their
meeting of December 1, 1998. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their meeting
of December 8, 1998. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-1, with Hines abstaining.
On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their
meeting of December 15, 1998. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their meeting
of December 22, 1998. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to adjourn their meeting of January
12, 1999 at 10:30 p.m. The notion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Rei ectfully submitted,
Secretary