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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-01-26 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting January 26, 1999 The meeting was convened at 7:32 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, lb Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Bruce MacDonald, Vice Chairman Sally Hoyt, Secretary Matthew Nestor, Selectmen Camille Anthony and George Hines, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Pasquale Iapicca, Michael Saunders, Peter Reinhart, David Bryant, Carol Roberts. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Sally Hoyt attended the MMA Conference. She congratulated the Reading Hockey Team for winning 50 games, Sean Collins for scoring his 1.00`x' goal, Senator Tisei for being selected as the Assistant Minority Leader, and Brad Jones for being selected as the Minority Whip. She also noted that she is a member of the Reading Clock and Bell Fund Committee and the Committee is looking for contributions. George Hines noted that he attended the MMA Conference, and he represented the Board at John Carpenter's Eagle Scout Ceremony. He attended a School Committee budget hearing, and noted that he had distributed the feasibility study to the Board. One of the recommendations in the study is to displace non-High School uses. He noted that the Reading Business Park Negotiating Committee met last Friday, and the Town could have a Letter of Intent within the next couple of weeks. Camille Anthony suggested that the Solid Waste Advisory Committee do an Earth Day combined with Community Day. Matthew Nestor noted that he had received a lot of calls regarding the Special Election, and a lot of complaints regarding the snow plowing. Public Comment—There was no public comment. Town Manager's Report ® Karen DeFrancesco has been appointed as Acting Conservation Administrator while we go through the hiring process. + 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 next Monday. + We have made an offer of employment to a Planner, and the offer has been accepted. All offers of employment are subject to passing a medical exam and once we have gotten that clearance, I will announce the name of our new Planner who will be starting in April. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 26, 1999—Page 2 ♦ We have hired a Retirement Administrator-Assistant Town Accountant Rosamond Cotter to replace the retiring Executive Secretary of the Retirement Board. ♦ Carolyn Walsh from the Department of Community Development is leaving the Town's employ this Friday. 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 met with them again last 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. ♦ I would like Russ to briefly explain some of the possibilities he has been exploring to help fund the offsite improvements at the Reading Business Park. ♦ Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean briefly explained that he is looking at the Community Development Block Program and the PWED program for offsite improvements at the landfill ♦ The Police Station ledge removal has been ongoing for several weeks. We hope to be done by this Friday. The ledge removal has been done without blasting. 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 soon. The vendor has delayed the process. Residents can also license their dog when they return their census or at the Election. ♦ The Special Election is being held tomorrow, January 27, 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 on the two questions is a vote to uphold the decision of Town Meeting to proceed with the projects. ♦ After the last snowstorm, we received a lot of calls about the poor conditions of Reading's streets. Where residents left a name and number, I returned their calls. The snow and ice control operation at the conclusion of that storm did not meet the DPW's usual standards of excellence. Dealing with any weather situation requires a certain amount of judgement. The judgements made in that storm were probably not among our best but we will learn from the experience and try to improve. To address the rumor that the Town Manager sent the plows home to "save money" -- this was not the case. e When the Board of Selectmen held hearings on the Longwood Road, Kelch Road sewer project, the Board agreed to charge no interest on the betterment. Subsequent to that decision, we found that State Law requires that interest at a minimum of 2% above borrowing rates be charged, and we informed the Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 26 1999—Page 3 residents of that. In December,we received advice from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue that, even for projects where there is no borrowing, the minimum rate of interest that can be charged by law is 5%, or 2% above prevailing borrowing rates for the community,whichever is lower. Our prevailing interest rates are+/-4%and, therefore, the 5% figure is the lowest rate of interest we may charge. I have prepared a letter to the residents to go with a revised bill. Personnel and Appointments Ad Hoc Water Supply Advisory Committee — The Town Manager noted that all of the committees as indicated have made their recommendations for their representative on the Ad Hoc Water Supply Advisory Committee. On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen placed the following names into nomination for positions on the Ad Hoc Water Supply Advisory Committee: George Peng representing the Town Forest Committee, Mary Grimmer representing the Finance Committee, William Finch representing the Conservation Commission and Richard Howard representing the CPDC. All received five votes and were appointed. Conservation Commission—There were no applicants. Discussion/Action Items Approval of Police Patrolman's Contract — Patrolmen Pat Iapicca and Mike Saunders were present for the signing of the contract. The Town Manager reviewed the major changes in the contract. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a contract between the Town of Reading and the Reading Patrolman's Association, Mass C.O.P. Local 191 for a term of July 1, 1998 through June 30, 2001 and authorized the Chairman to sign on the Board's behalf. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Approval of the Engineers and Water Treatment Plant Contract — Peter Reinhart, Union President, was present for the signing of the contract. The Town Manager noted that they had tried the collective bargaining process this year, and that it was a very slow but good process. The Town Manager reviewed the major changes in the contract. On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a contract between the Town of Reading and AFSCME Council 93, Local 1703, Engineers and Water Treatment Plant Union, for a term of July 1, 1998 through June 30, 2001, and authorized the Chairman to sign on the Board's behalf. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Symonds Way Field — The Town Manager noted that this property was the former Nike Base. The issue before the Board is to decide whether to use it as a recreation area and/or a firing range. The Town Manager noted that he had written a letter to the Town Manager in Wilmington requesting use of their range for three to four years until Camp Curtis is reopened and the Town of Wilmington has agreed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 26, 1999—Page_4 Sally Hoyt noted that she had spoken with Senator Tisei's Office regarding Camp Curtis Guild, and he indicated that there was no guarantee that Camp Curtis will be reopening. She spoke with the Police Department and they are okay with using the Wilmington firing range. The Police did -- remind her that they gave up the range for the ice rink. It is the only property in Town that could be used as a firing range, and they are willing to share the field with recreation. Sally Hoyt noted that Longwood Farm and Spence Farm will be available in the future for recreation. Camille Anthony indicated that she felt recreation and a firing range do not mix. If other arrangements can be made for shooting practice, then a ball field should go there. She noted that there is a need for a regional firing range. Matthew Nestor noted that the Town Manager has worked out a three year contract for Officer's training. Bruce MacDonald reminded the Board that once the land is turned over to the Recreation Department, it takes an act of legislation to get the land back. George Hines noted that he has done a lot of research, and there is a sufficient need throughout the region for Camp Curtis to reopen. Sally Hoyt noted that she is not against recreation but the Town made a commitment when the ice rink went in. Wilmington is a temporary solution. The Reading Rifle and Revolver is -- already there and if people are afraid of a shooting range,then they shouldn'tgo there. On motion by Nestor seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the plan entitled "Site Plan Symonds Way" dated 9-15-98 for the development of the Symonds Way property. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Hoyt opposed. Hearing on the Pay and Classification Plan— Secretary Matthew Nestor read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that this is an interim plan amendment for three positions: (1) to establish the Retirement Board Administrator/Assistant Town Accountant position; (2) move the Planner from Grade 14 to Grade 15 and (3) move the Assistant Town Manager from a Grade 15 to a Grade 16 because he is Department Head of two Departments. Personnel Administrator Carol Roberts noted that the Retirement Board Administrator/Assistant Town Accountant was previously an Executive Secretary who reported to the Retirement Board. The Town Planner increase in grade is a result of the interviewing process to be more competitive. The Assistant Town Manager increase in grade is due to an increase in responsibility. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to close the hearing on an amendment to the "Pay and Classification Plan" for the Planner, Retirement Board Administrator/Assistant Town Accountant, and Assistant Town Manager. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 26, 1999—Page 5 On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve an amendment to the "Pay and Classification Plan" for the Planner, Retirement Board Administrator/Assistant - Town Accountant, and Assistant Town Manager as presented. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Edgemont Avenue Parking Regulations — The Town Manager noted that the Board will be implementing no parking that has temporarily been in place to provide for no parking from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Edgemont to use as a drop off zone at Barrows School. On motion by Nestor seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve an amendment to the Traffic Rules and Regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen March 28, 1996 by adding to Article 5, Section 5.4, the following regulation: No Parking 7:00 A.M. To 9:00 A.M., Monday through Friday_ Edgemont Avenue On the westerly side from Stewart Street to the northerly driveway of the Barrows School. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Town Manager Evaluation — Matthew Nestor reviewed the layout of the form and procedure. The Board reviewed the evaluation in detail. The Board indicated that they would like to hear - more about department activities. The Board noted that it was difficult for them to evaluate the areas of personnel and asked for some facts in this area next year. Camille Anthony noted that the Board is not dealing with their goals enough. George Hines suggested setting milestones for each goal. The Board agreed that a tracking system is very much needed. The Board agreed to set the Town Manager's salary at a meeting in February. Approval of Minutes On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their January 5, 1999 meeting, as amended. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-04. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their January 6, 1999 meeting, as amended. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-1, with Nestor abstaining. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their January 12, 1999 meeting, as amended. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-1, with Nestor abstaining. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to adjourn their meeting of January 26, 1999 at 9:55 p.m. Re ectfully submitted, cretary