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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-02-16 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting February 16, 1999 The meeting was convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Bruce MacDonald, Vice Chairman Sally Hoyt, Secretary Matthew Nestor, Selectman George Hines, Town Manager Peter Hechenbieikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Town Counsel H Theodore Cohen, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Fred Van Magness, Anne Colorusso, Paul Gornian, Phyllis Evensen, Norbert Wels, Parker Kimball, Ted McIntire, Paul O'Donnell, James Sprague, Mike Debarco, Christopher Zanni, Judy Kramer. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Sally Hoyt congratulated eight Reading Memorial High School students who were honored for academic excellence. She had received a phone call from a resident who feels that the Town is not listening to the residents regarding flooding concerns on Pleasant Street. George Hines noted that the Reading Business Park Negotiating Committee has been meeting and have reached a conceptual agreement. The Board of Selectmen will need to meet and vote on the Letter of Intent. Matthew Nestor noted that he had received phone calls from residents regarding the lot on Pleasant Street and budget issues. Bruce MacDonald noted that he had received phone calls from residents regarding the Pleasant Street lot and the Police firing range. Public Comrment—There was no public comment. Town Manager's Report 4 The Town Manager noted that a draft balanced budget went to FinCom this evening. He will be meeting with State delegation next week regarding State aid. ® Excavation at the Police Station is complete and the walls are being formed. The contractor is requesting a two week extension. ® There is a deed and agreement in the Board's packet for Brande Court that the Board needs to take action on this evening. Karen DeFrancesco from Burlington has been hired as Conservation Administrator. The Board will get a copy of her resume in their packet on Friday. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 16, 1999—Page 2 On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to authorize the signing of an agreement between the Town of Reading and Arnold Rubin as trustee of the Merrimac Valley Holding Trust accepting a gift of property to the Town known as 12-1.4 Brande Court. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Close Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting — Town Counsel H Theodore Cohen was present for the closing of the Warrant. The Town Manager reviewed the 25 Articles on the Warrant. Sally Hoyt asked for more information on petition Article 19 regarding agricultural zoning. George Hines asked if Article 24 to amend the 1997 vote regarding the landfill was absolutely necessary. Town Counsel indicated that the existing authorization expires on June 30, 1999 and it doesn't provide for lease of the land.' Matthew Nestor asked what would happen if Town Meeting strikes out the lease language. Town Counsel indicated that the Town would have to go with a developer who is willing to buy. Fred Van Magness asked if the Selectmen had to have Town Meeting approval to lease property. Town Counsel indicated yes because the statutory limits were 10-25 years. The lease with Colporex is for 99 years. Brice MacDonald noted that if we don't put this Article on the Warrant, then the landfill will have to be sold by June 30, 1999. 1f we do put it on the Warrant, then we will have a chance to lease. George Hines indicated that the date should also be extended to June 30, 2001. The Town Manager noted that the Town has been set a deadline by the D.E.P. for closure by November 2000 but could probably get an extension if needed. On motion by Hines seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen voted to amend Article 24 to extend the date to June 30, 2001. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Nestor seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to close the Warrant consisting of 25 Articles for the Annual Town Meeting to be held on April 12, 1999 at the Reading Memorial High School. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Barrows School Area—Hearing on "Do Not Enter" Stewart Road at Shelby—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the Board of Selectmen had met with the neighbors and heard their concerns. There was a follow-up meeting with safety personnel and the neighbors and this is a result of that meeting. The Town Manager noted that he has received phone calls requesting that the hours and days of the week be limited. P1lvllis Evensen of 187 Shelby Road asked if this was permanent. The restriction is only needed for 1 -1 1/2 hours during school but not pennanently. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 16, 1999—Page 3 Norbert Wels of 11 Stewart Road noted that vehicles will be forced to enter West Street from Arcadia if the entrance from Shelby is cut off and that is a very dangerous intersection. He also requested that the restriction be put in place for a limited number of hours. He also noted that the crosswalks cannot be seen and people are parking in front of the fire hydrants. The Town.Manager noted that the Principal of Barrows and the PTO stated that noontime is also a problem. Anne Colorusso, Co-President of the PTO at Barrows, noted that the PTO recommended various approaches to all parents. The parked cars clog Stewart Street. The general consensus is that a downward pattern away from the school is safer. Many people come up Stewart from Shelby and can't see over the hill. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to close the hearing on the installation of a "Do Not Enter"sign on Stewart Road at Shelby. On motion by Nestor seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the installation of a "Do Not Enter between the hours of 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.; 2:30 p.in.-3:30 p.m.; Monday — Friday 9/1-6/30; except emergency vehicles" sign on Stewart Road at Shelby. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing on Stop Signs —Lontrfellow at Weston - The Secretary read the hearing notice. Parker Kimball of 27 Longfellow Road was present. He noted that he has lived at the intersection of Longfellow and Weston for nine years. There has been a dramatic increase in traffic and speed and is requesting a stop sign on Longfellow. He also noted that additional Police enforcement is needed in the morning. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to close the hearing on the installation of stop signs on Longfellow at Weston. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the installation of stop signs on Longfellow at Weston. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Approval. of Speed Limit - West Street — The Town Manager noted that the Board of Selectmen petitioned Mass Highway to study West Street. The result was to make the whole length 30 mph. The Board can either accept or reject this. Sally Hoyt noted that she had requested 25 mph but Mass Highway chose 30 mph. Where it is posted as 25 mph, it will stay 25 mph as an advisory. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the State approved 30 mph speed limit for the entire length of West Street. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 16, 1999—Page 4 Review Operation of Compost Center — Public Works Director Ted McIntire was present. McIntire noted that 40,000 vehicles used the Compost Center last year. The Center is staffed by volunteers on Monday and Friday. The Center was open eight Sundays last year and he received - very few, if any, complaints. Paul O'Donnell of 244 Grove Street noted that he was concerned about the number of vehicles last year. He complained that there are no sidewalks in the area, debris falls off of the vehicles, and the traffic backs up on Saturdays and Sundays. Last year, he suggested alternative sites and additional curbside leaf collection but none of that was done. James Sprague of Grove Street requested that the Center be closed on Sundays. He noted that there are DPW trucks in and out of there all day. Fred VanMagness of 243 Franklin Street felt that the hours of operation were successful and he didn't see any back ups last year. He noted that Franklin Street doesn't have any sidewalks either. He noted that the Town needs to address the sign on the confer of Franklin and Grove— it is an impediment, poor site line. He noted that a stop sign is needed on Grove Street. 1. Mike Debarco of 422 Grove Street requested that the Center be closed on Sundays. He can live with four Sundays in April and November--just don't increase the number of Sundays. Christopher Zanni of 400 Grove Street noted that operating times need to be posted, and no dumping signs are needed on Grove Street at the gate. Judy Kramer of 249 Grove Street asked the Board to consider other areas to offset traffic. Bruce MacDonald noted that the Town did look at other areas but none are viable. He also noted that homeowners can compost leaves on their own property and this would help to calm the Situation. 'Fed McIntire noted that home composting could reduce traffic. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee has done demonstrations at the Compost Center. They have sold around 300 recycling bins. He looked at Symonds Way and roll off containers but the problem is that if they are not staffed, then a mixture of leaves and trash end up in the containers. Sally Hoyt noted that alternative sites are necessary, and Sundays should be eliminated altogether. Fred Van Magness noted that if Sundays were eliminated, then there will be more traffic on Saturdays. Eliminating Sundays will not stop people from coming -- they will just come on a. different day. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 16, 1999—Page 5 The Board directed staff to: 1. Determine a bylaw for fines for illegal dumping. 2. DPW review existing signage. 3. Public hearing be scheduled for installation of a stop sign at Franklin and. Grove. 4. Investigate methods of increasing home composting from 300 to 900. 5. Continue to research alternate sites. 6. DPW drivers should be educated regarding speeding. On motion by Nestor seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the existing hours of operations for the Reading Compost Center:for calendar year 1999: April 1 through April 30: Monday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, 8:00 a.m.. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m. May 1. through May 31: Monday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. } lune 1 through September 30: Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. October 1 through October 31: Monday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, 8:OO a.nn. to 5:00 p.m. November 1 throutrh November 30: Monday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hoyt moved and MacDonald seconded to eliminate Sundays from noon to 5:00 p.m. The motion was defeated by a vote of 1-3-0, with Nestor, Hines and MacDonald opposed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 16, 1999—Page6 Review Approval of Entrance Suns — The Town Manager noted that the 350t" Committee contributed funds for the entry signs. The signs were developed by the Downtown Steering Committee. The sign has the Town Seal and the RMHS colors (red and black) with gold lettering. He noted that one sign is too big for most entrances because it has two poles. The Board needs to approve the signs in concept. Bruce MacDonald noted that he likes the DPW signs, and asked if these signs would match the DPW ones. Sally Hoyt asked why the color was burgundy and noted that she prefers blue lettering. George Hines asked if the Town could get an easement if we don't own the property where we want to put the signs. The Town Manager noted that the sil)JIS Would be placed at the entrances at North Reading Stoneham, Lowell Street and Salem Street. The one on the Common will also be replaced. The Board directed the Town Manager to have staff make a couple of phone calls to try to get an casement where needed. If the easement is not possible, then use a single pole. Naming of "Blight" Parkin Lot — The Town Manager noted that the Historical Commission recommends Hamden Yard as the name of the parking lot. This would reflect the prominence of Sylvester Hamden, a cabinet maker, who built the house on the comer of Pleasant Street. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the name of the parking lot on the east side of Main Street between Pleasant Street and Union Street as Hamden Yard municipal parking lot. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Buildin4 Permit Fees — YMCA -- Paul Gorman from the YMCA was present. The Town Manager noted that he had reviewed the construction costs and recommends abating $4,000. Paul Gorman asked if the Town waived all fees in the past. The Town Manager replied no. Bruce MacDonald noted that this will leave S 13,000 to be paid. George Hines asked the Town Manager to research past projects, and do an analysis of whether or not 513,000 covers all of the costs and adjust if necessary. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the waiver of fees from the YMCA project in the amount of 54,000, representing the portion of the project for which the Town has contracted. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Approval of Minutes On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their meetino of March 10, 1.998. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-1, with Nestor abstaining. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 16, 1999—Page7 On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of March 17, 1998. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-1, with Nestor abstaining. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of March 31, 1998. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-1, with Hoyt abstaining. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of April 7, 1998. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Nestor seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of May 12, 1998. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-1, with Hoyt abstaining. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of.January 26, 1.999. 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'February 2, 1999. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to adjourn their meeting of February 16, 1999 at 10:15 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respect- lly submitted, -- ecr tart'